I am entering 2019 with many thoughts. I believe this will be a pivotal year for the nation, the economy and the church around the world. My thoughts also center in particular on our little church. We have 80 nice comfortable seats and room for about 20 folding chairs. They have never all been called into use. Why?
That’s one of my basic questions before God, why would you tell me to get 80 chairs if we are never going to use more than 30. Is the church growing? Yes, and no. The church, the people are growing in their faith and walk with the LORD. Are we growing numerically, unfortunately that answer is no. So why? I’m back to that same question, LORD, why tell me to get 80 chairs if we are never going to see them filled?
Maybe it’s because I’m old for a pastor and not drawing in lots of younger people. Someone said it’s because I preach out of the Bible and people don’t want to hear that “Old Stuff” any more. Others says I challenge people to grow and sacrifice and live for the LORD, and that’s too hard. Maybe it is a combination of all those things, and more.
But when did serving God, being a Christian, become easy? When did we start giving people what they want, instead of what God wants? When did we begin focusing on our desires, rather than our needs?
There is a wonderful passage in 1 Corinthians chapter 1. There Paul talks about the wisdom of God and how it seems foolish to man. One sentence caught my eye: “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel-not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” [v17]
When we preach human wisdom, we drain the power from the cross of Christ! That may be one of the most amazing thoughts in Scripture. Think on that today! I am.
