Make Room for Church
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
not giving up meeting together,as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
Everyone loves verse 24 above. Let us consider how we may spur people on to love and good deeds. Far fewer people like the next verse, Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing. It's like when I say I want to be physically fit, but I don't want to do the whole working out and eating healthy thing. It's problematic. You know what I find interesting? There’s more anger, division and animosity than ever before. No one would argue this. It feels like the divided states, not the United States. Ironically, fewer people are involved in church in America than ever before. You can’t be encouraged if you don’t show up, and others can’t be encouraged if you don’t show up.
Quite a few of the miracles in the Bible happen when people are showing up to meet. Think about Acts 2. Remember the tongues of fire? Remember the powerful winds and the movement of the Holy Spirit? Did you realize this was a regularly scheduled event? The people of God were meeting like they always do, to study God’s Word and worship. This means there were probably a few folks in there who weren’t feeling it before they met. There were probably some in there who had stayed up late the night before and just wanted to sleep. There were likely a few who struggled to get their kids ready that morning. There were probably a few that had some things distracting their minds. We know this because 500 were invited. This is who Jesus showed up to and told them to keep meeting, but only 120 showed up. Jesus only got 24% of people to show up for church. This is staggering. Yet those 380 missed out on something amazing.
You can’t say you want more of God and never show up to what He calls His bride, the church. Busy schedules, past wounds and the day’s demands can’t be excuses. There aren’t all stars in the Kingdom of God. There are just those who are available and those who aren’t. God wants us to commit that we won’t give up meeting together. We’ll gather on Sundays to be encouraged and to look to encourage others. Church becomes a potent place when the people of God show up on Sunday looking for people they can inspire and spur on toward the love of God. If you have a church filled with people like that, the church will ignite, and the community will be affected! Make room to show up. It matters to God.
Application: Make it a priority today that your church on Sundays won’t be optional.
Prayer: Ask God to strengthen your commitment to His church. Pray for others who’ve stopped attending church. After you pray for them, reach out and invite them to attend!
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?