Sorry I have been away for 5 or so days. Went to Vegas with my wife to be with her as she was going to a conference for work. Did not take a computer so did not have the ability to post. Even if this is reaching just one person and is helping them come tot he Lord it is all worth it. My advice is do not go to Vegas.
About a week or so ago we were discussing the church in America and how people feel. Most of the people in our group expressed some sort of frustration. Heard words like frustrated, aggravated, agitated, mad, pissed off, overwhelmed, burnt out, tired, etc. But why? The reason is due to the apathy most people have in the church. They think that it is always someone else’s responsibility or they have done their part or they are just too busy. So if people in church have this attitude, then how are we going to reach all those people who nothing about the Lord or Jesus. Hate to break the news to you, but it is everyone’s responsibility that claims to be Christian to at least introduce them to the Lord. It is not their responsibility to save them or to make them hear, that is the Lords and Christs job.
But one person said Church is hope, the only means of salvation, and away to reach the lost.
So what do we mean by church? Is it the institution or is it Christ? The answer is both. Why is it so important?
1 Timothy 3:14-16 New International Version (NIV)
Reasons for Paul’s Instructions
14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:
He appeared in the flesh,
was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.
Romans 10:16-1 8New International Version (NIV)
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:
“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.”
Ephesians 4:11-13 New International Version (NIV)
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.