I get a bit twitchy when I hear people talk about the church as a business, but I do get it, there is a business side to the church. There are bills that need to be paid, the facility needs upkeep, staff and payroll needs still require addressing and a hierarchy that have statistical requirements so they can do something with them (I have no clue). This past week, I watched an online church go about their business, no I will not tell you which one, and was rather perplexed by the presentation. Yes, I said presentation because the majority of the service was business rather than Message. The pastor was a former classmate of mine and, in one of our preaching classes, he came forth with a powerful message that truly lifted us all. That was almost two decades ago, and I wondered how he was doing now. His sermon was sandwiched in between some great worship music and about fifteen minutes of what I will call commercials. His message was good, but I left feeling that it was not the central part of the service. This led me to reflect on what truly is important to the overall Message that God would have us communicate.
First, and foremost, I want to say this; if Christ is not the center of the service, then something is missing. If the central message is focused on donations to the latest cause and, if you donate over a certain amount, we will also include a bottle of holy water derived from the springs of the Jordan, then the focus is wrong. If the message is that you need to up your giving so the pastor can buy a new plane so he or she can get to more remote areas to preach the Word, then, in my opinion, the message is on material things and not on the message of Salvation. I have preached this over and over and I will continue to preach it until the day I die; Jesus paid the price, His grace is sufficient for all of us and you don’t need to win Lotto 649 to buy a ticket to Heaven, your freedom from sin is paid in full through the sacrifice of the Messiah. You can write all the DIY books on getting to Heaven but it is not through self that you enter Glory but by the grace of God through the Son, it is that simple. Some preachers say name it and claim it and it will be yours and they are talking of great financial wealth, but I say this; name the love of God and claim His grace on your life and you will be eternally rewarded in Glory.
Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. Acts 3:2-8 NIV
Praise His name in word and song, give your heart to the Savior and ask Him to take away your sins and claim His grace over your life. The prize is not the amount of money you have in your savings account or the size of the plane in your hangar, it is actually the Word of God written on your heart, the promise of salvation through the sacrifice of the Son on the cross and the cleansing of your sins through your confession to the Master that makes you richer than any billionaire on the planet. Cast away the cloak of sin, and in the name of Christ, get up and walk. The time is now to refocus on Him, rather than the things made to be important by mankind.
This Sunday, Pastor Todd talks about the centrality of Christ in all His churches and what is truly important in the faith gathering. Please join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website (https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB.
Blessings,
Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”
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