How often do we go to church
because “that’s what we do”? How often do we go to church to “get filled” or to
“gain something”? Set aside 2 hours every Sunday morning, head to church and
sit back in the pew and say “feed me”?
In our culture we tend to spend a lot our lives doing that,
and sometimes not even realizing it. Of course life is tough and we get
weathered by the storms and pounded by the circumstances. But out of all the
times we’ve gone to church, how many more times have we gone to offer something
versus seeking to take something?
In the “early church” we never saw people going to a nice
multi-million dollar building to get something. First off, church wasn’t about
the building whatsoever and second of all the people believed and gave their
lives to follow Christ Jesus, not just say a prayer to feel good and move on in
life. Those who believed lived in a community of love. They shared everything they possessed and gave to whomever was in
need. They lived selfless lives of giving, never taking. There was no preaching
to compete for congregation numbers. They shared the good news of Christ
so that others may walk in the spiritual freedom that they found themselves in.
Their lives reflected the deep down, no holds barred faith they had in Jesus.
And so in turn they were persecuted!!
It was dangerous to be a Christian, there was nothing peer pressure about it!
There was absolutely nothing to gain from a worldly sense at all. So why did
the church flourish and move forward in advancing the Kingdom of God?
Simply because those who believed STOOD UP!!
The religious leaders of the day brought the scriptures to
the table to dispute this new “way” as Jesus had taught and claimed. Those who walked
with Jesus knew who he was as the Son of God, as well as those who never met
Jesus but believed the message of salvation through him.
The city of Antioch
was claimed to have been one of the largest cities in the entire world (possibly
Roman?) at the time. And 1/3 of the population believed! The number I’ve
understood is roughly 100,000 (take that for what it’s worth). People were
getting it. People were believing! They didn’t need miracles, even though they
without a shadow of a doubt were common. They didn’t have programs or nice
glorious “people pleasing” friendly sermons to believe in Christ. The result of
a group of souled out faithful shared what was on their hearts brought life to
the city of Antioch
amidst the Roman occupation and resistance of the message of Christ!
The message was simple: TRUTH.
Raw truth! Peter, Paul, Stephen, James, etc all spoke up and not only defended
(without being offended remember) but proclaimed the Way to the Kingdom through
the resurrected Christ. As the religious leaders were in pursuit of
stoning Stephen, he scrambles to speak up and proclaims what God has/is doing.
Paul stands in front of the Sanhedrin in a similar fashion and speaks his
story, the testimony of Christ.
So my question is why do we shy
away from our friends and strangers alike when we claim to have all of this
faith? Maybe deeper, why do we demand so many signs and wonders before
we give ourselves up to follow Christ? HA! There are zero recordings of anyone
ever demanding a “sign”. It is by faith and faith alone that those will find
the Way! So stop demanding signs for God to prove himself. Step out in faith
and give him a chance. You don’t have any control over the matter, He does….he
created you remember!!
Ok, back on topic…
To conclude part 1, we have to look to the examples left by
those who first got this thing going! They never went to church to feel good;
they were persecuted! They never went to church to sit back and take anything;
they gave every possession they had to those who needed it. And they never
shrunk back in fear when things got tough; they
stood up straighter, spoke louder, and shone brighter in their moments of
greatest opposition.
Why are we too scared to share our testimonies? There is no-one
like you, only you have your story, your gifts, your life. Your life is meant to
be shared. People need your victories and foundations to be encouraged in their
own walks. It is only up to YOU to get over yourself and let your life shine
bright! Stop worrying about what others say or view of you! Stop letting them
control you when it really has nothing to do with you. Be yourself! Speak up!
Meet that friend for coffee that you know you need to share something with! Step up to the pulpit and encourage the body of
believers you worship alongside with a revelation or blessing you have experienced
this past week!
hearts and on our lips. Especially men! I speak this out of experience
as well as what I see all around me. We are way too passive too much of the
time! We are not present when we need to be! We are not found when we are
needed the most! Let’s start picking up our swords and use them. Let’s stand up
for something…how about the core of who we are as sons of God?! The Lord is
using US, the church, individuals working as ONE to advance the Kingdom of God!! I firmly believe we are failing
God if we’re not standing up! If we walk in
timidity and cower in the time of need, we bring death; that’s because we sure
ain’t bringing life!!
Next blog is about SPEAKING
UP is and looks like!!
