How Bad Do You Want It?

When I think of Hebrews 10:25 (“You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other. Do this even more as you see the day coming.” NCV), I think of Josef Gabor. Here is how DAILY WALK told his story back in 1993:

Josef Gabor grew up in Czechoslovakia when it was dominated by communism, and religion was despised as weakness. His father taught communist doctrine classes. But Josef’s mother, who believed in Jesus Christ, took Josef and his brother with her to church.

They got up early each Sunday morning and took a 3-hour train ride to Prague. Then they walked to the church and sat through a 2 1/2-hour service. After eating lunch in a nearby park, they returned to church for another 2 1/2-hour meeting. Then they took the 3-hour ride home.

Today Josef Gabor is a missionary to his own people in Czechoslovakia. When he tells about going to church as a child, his eyes fill with tears of gratitude for a mother who cared enough about his spiritual welfare to help him come to know and serve Christ.

Three Times and You’re Out

            An old story about a husband and father who refuses to go to church goes like this:

Preacher: "Why don't you ever come to church with your wife and family?"

Man: “I don’t go because every time I do, they throw something at me.”

Preacher: “What do you mean?”

Man: “When I was just a baby, my parents took me to church and the minister threw water on me. When I got married, the wedding ceremony took place in a church, and they threw rice at me.”

Preacher: "And if you don’t start going to church soon, the next time you do I’m afraid they’ll throw DIRT on you!”

            That sounds like a preacher story, doesn’t it? However, a deeper meaning emerges.

            There are literally millions of groups in the world seeking to mold people into an image. Only one of these groups is the local church, and its mission is to serve as God’s instrument in molding people into the image of Jesus.

            According to Hebrews 10:19ff, it is essential that Christians place a priority on meeting with that one group—the most important group—in the world.

            19-21 So, friends, we can now—without hesitation—walk right up to God, into "the Holy Place." Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The "curtain" into God's presence is his body.

 22-25 So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching (Heb. 10:19-25.) THE MESSAGE

Dying In The Service

            Are your worship services killing your church attendance? I hope not to this extent:

            An old story tells of a Sunday morning when a preacher noticed a little boy named, Alex, staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church building. The seven-year-old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the preacher walked up, stood beside the boy, and said quietly, "Good morning Alex."

            "Good morning," replied Alex, focused on the plaque. "Dr. Simpson, what is this?" the young lad asked.

            "Well son, these are all the men who have died in the Service," replied the preacher.

            Soberly, they stood together, staring at the large plaque. Little Alex’ voice barely broke the silence when he asked quietly, "Which one, the 9:00 or the 10:30 service?"

           

Perilous Worship

            I love the old story about the preacher who noticed little Alex gazing at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. The seven-year-old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the preacher walked up, stood beside the boy, and said quietly, "Good morning Alex."

            "Good morning," replied the young lad, focused on the plaque. "Dr. McGhee, what is this?" Alex asked.

            "Well son, these are all the men who have died in the Service," replied the preacher.

            Soberly, they stood together, staring at the large plaque. Little Alex’s voice barely broke the silence when he asked quietly, "Which one, the 9:00 or the 10:30 service?"