Sermons:
A Place Where God is Comfortable
Some churches now days attempt to draw people into their congregations by appealing to the masses. They want people to feel comfortable. Some churches use big banners, lights and expensive sound systems, huge screens and even coffee bars to try to get people to come to their church. Some look more like malls or hotels. Their focus seems to be on people and technology. It may be what people find appealing but is God comfortable there? The only agenda a church should have is to help people find the Lord in a real and personal way. It’s not about a buildings design or a prime real estate location. It’s not about how many members or visitors you have or how many services there are on Sunday or during the week. In order to make an atmosphere where God is comfortable, egos must be broken and confusion must be eliminated. People must “get real” and open their hearts to the holy spirit of God. They must want a personal connection and relationship with the Son of God. Communication with God must be established. We must talk TO Him and not ABOUT Him. We must invite God in and welcome His presence. There also must be a commitment to cooperation. We must be ready to listen to and heed His call. We must follow where He leads, without letting fear and doubt stifle our success. Be ready and follow. All of these things together make an atmosphere where God is comfortable
Some churches now days attempt to draw people into their congregations by appealing to the masses. They want people to feel comfortable. Some churches use big banners, lights and expensive sound systems, huge screens and even coffee bars to try to get people to come to their church. Some look more like malls or hotels. Their focus seems to be on people and technology. It may be what people find appealing but is God comfortable there? The only agenda a church should have is to help people find the Lord in a real and personal way. It’s not about a buildings design or a prime real estate location. It’s not about how many members or visitors you have or how many services there are on Sunday or during the week. In order to make an atmosphere where God is comfortable, egos must be broken and confusion must be eliminated. People must “get real” and open their hearts to the holy spirit of God. They must want a personal connection and relationship with the Son of God. Communication with God must be established. We must talk TO Him and not ABOUT Him. We must invite God in and welcome His presence. There also must be a commitment to cooperation. We must be ready to listen to and heed His call. We must follow where He leads, without letting fear and doubt stifle our success. Be ready and follow. All of these things together make an atmosphere where God is comfortable
A Body or a Business?
The term “church” is used in the Bible to describe believers and followers of Jesus. Jesus also used analogies of the church, referring to it as the Bride (Jesus is the Groom) and the Body. In every analogy, the church is seen as a living, breathing organism. Organisms have a life source. They are real. Corporations are organizations. They are in business to make money. The problem today is most churches turn into organizations. They are more concerned with the “business” and material aspects of the church building than they are with the people who make up the congregation. They tend to forget that the real business is that hurting people find Jesus. They should find help, hope and comfort within the church. For a church to be an organism they must have a life source and that life source must be Jesus. There must also be diversity of members, no divisions, no control issues and no one placing judgment. There must be a shared love for the Lord and each other and a desire for a higher purpose. The church shouldn’t be a social club where we come to play games. Activities just to combat boredom aren’t the answer. If the church is doing what it’s supposed to do, needs will be met and it will grow. Like an organism, that growth is unpredictable and in God’s hands. We have to keep our eyes on Him as our life source and love unconditionally.
The term “church” is used in the Bible to describe believers and followers of Jesus. Jesus also used analogies of the church, referring to it as the Bride (Jesus is the Groom) and the Body. In every analogy, the church is seen as a living, breathing organism. Organisms have a life source. They are real. Corporations are organizations. They are in business to make money. The problem today is most churches turn into organizations. They are more concerned with the “business” and material aspects of the church building than they are with the people who make up the congregation. They tend to forget that the real business is that hurting people find Jesus. They should find help, hope and comfort within the church. For a church to be an organism they must have a life source and that life source must be Jesus. There must also be diversity of members, no divisions, no control issues and no one placing judgment. There must be a shared love for the Lord and each other and a desire for a higher purpose. The church shouldn’t be a social club where we come to play games. Activities just to combat boredom aren’t the answer. If the church is doing what it’s supposed to do, needs will be met and it will grow. Like an organism, that growth is unpredictable and in God’s hands. We have to keep our eyes on Him as our life source and love unconditionally.
A Lesson From a Maniac
There was a man in the Bible who lived among the tombs. He was a maniac who no man could calm. Evil spirits caused him to cry out and cut himself. When he saw Jesus, he ran to Him and worshipped Him. Jesus cast out the spirits and saved his life. When people heard the news, they found the maniac at Jesus feet, clothed and in his right mind, and were afraid. As Jesus departed, the man once plagued with demons, asked to go with Him. Jesus said, “Go home to thy friends and tell them the great things the Lord has done for thee and has had compassion on thee.” When we allow ourselves to be deceived by Satan and we start self-destructing, we need to “sit at Jesus’ feet”. When we get our eyes on Him, we can see things clearly and we can feel His presence and His love. “Sitting at His feet” requires honesty, responsibility, humility and soul searching. Going to church won’t do it, tithing won’t do it, dressing “right”, talking “right” and following “the rules” won’t do it. We have to get passion from and for Him. Then after we have developed or renewed our own intimacy with Him, we can go out and tell others what He has done for us. We gain strength from sitting at His feet but then He expects us to go out and share His love and mercy with others. What a wonderful lesson and a wonderful God!
There was a man in the Bible who lived among the tombs. He was a maniac who no man could calm. Evil spirits caused him to cry out and cut himself. When he saw Jesus, he ran to Him and worshipped Him. Jesus cast out the spirits and saved his life. When people heard the news, they found the maniac at Jesus feet, clothed and in his right mind, and were afraid. As Jesus departed, the man once plagued with demons, asked to go with Him. Jesus said, “Go home to thy friends and tell them the great things the Lord has done for thee and has had compassion on thee.” When we allow ourselves to be deceived by Satan and we start self-destructing, we need to “sit at Jesus’ feet”. When we get our eyes on Him, we can see things clearly and we can feel His presence and His love. “Sitting at His feet” requires honesty, responsibility, humility and soul searching. Going to church won’t do it, tithing won’t do it, dressing “right”, talking “right” and following “the rules” won’t do it. We have to get passion from and for Him. Then after we have developed or renewed our own intimacy with Him, we can go out and tell others what He has done for us. We gain strength from sitting at His feet but then He expects us to go out and share His love and mercy with others. What a wonderful lesson and a wonderful God!
