Stop Going To Church!

The wealthy church goer tends to sit, consume, critique and leave. It's the poor who engage, serve & grow.  It's NOT supposed the be that way! 

^{Matthew 19:16-26} 

And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.  And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”  When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”  But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

That last verse is the hinge on which the eternal security of the wealthy swings.  It is God's will that ALL enter his Kingdom and we are all called to be "with God".  So it's not supposed to be this way for the rich person.  

Ephesians 4:12 - to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ

If you're not using your gifts and talents to be on Mission with a church, all you're doing is consuming goods and services.  STOP GOING TO CHURCH, and start living and breathing the mission of your church in community with the others in your church.  There is no such thing as "better worship, or better preaching" in the Kingdom of God.  I promise you this; you will not stand before God at the end of your life and hear the question "Did you choose to go consume the best music and preaching in town on Sundays?".  You will be standing before God and He will be looking behind you to see all of the disciples of Jesus who are following you.

I am not a gifted performer.  I am called and equipped to equip you and to be your Pastor not your performer.  At night, I dream about shepherding you in to a dangerously close relationship with Jesus Christ where you can taste His love for you and it compels you to do something completely selfless with your life.  (Like sell everything you have and give to the poor.)

For some of you, this is a literal command.  Not because the poor have need.  But because you are finding comfort in your wealth, not your God and that is stopping you from experiencing the Kingdom of Heaven right now!  

So many christians read the latest "Extreme Christianity" book about living radical lives as a true Follower of Jesus and hide behind the self righteousness of criticizing the "Church" for being so benign.  If you claim Jesus you ARE the church.  So stop critiquing sermon quality and worship quality and engage with the mission of the church.

If you are going to church and are not on mission with that church, you are consuming a valuable parking space, seat, coffee and friendship that is intended for a potential co-missionary in that church.  You're actually hurting the church by claiming Jesus and not engaging in mission. STOP GOING TO CHURCH AND START BEING THE CHURCH!

It's not time for the Church to step up and be better Christians.  It's time for Christians to step up and be a better Church!

God believes in us that we can bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth.  He believes in us that we can make disciples of ALL NATIONS!  He believes in us that we can bring peace in the brokenness.  He doesn't put His hope in YOU.  He puts His hope in US!  His Church!  WE can do this! He LOVES US!  But for some of us, we need to sell everything we have so we can put God in His place on the throne of our life!

Join the mission of your church!

Pastor Mike

(a thought... before you point a finger remember, if you are reading this, that means you have access to the internet, a computer or a smart phone.  That likely condemns you as in the top 2% in world wealth.)