Rediscover the Bible for Life

“Don’t Forget Church”

by Dennis Lee

“Brethren, the crying sin of the Church is her laziness after God.” Samuel Chadwick

What I’ve found sad is that those who belong to cults give and do more for dead and false gods than Christians give and do for Jesus Christ who is alive and present within the church.

Heck, many don’t even come to church thinking and believing they don’t have to, yet this is a false belief and false thinking and one that God readily refutes.

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

This idea of stirring up love and good works within the church is also found in Paul’s admonition to Timothy to stir up, to fan into flame, the gifts that were given to him by the Holy Spirit, because God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear.

“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7)

To replace and counter any fear we may have in coming together and in the use of God’s gifts and talents, God breathes into our weakness Holy Spirit power. He has also given to us the spirit of love to serve Him by serving others. Finally he gives us a sound mind, that is, a disciplined mind to do what He has called for us to do.

God has called us to come together, not only to meet with Jesus, as Jesus said, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20), but to also serve Him by serving others in his name.

In his parable of the sheep and goats, talking about God’s coming judgment, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” (Matthew 25:40)

God is calling His people to come together on a regular basis and use the gifts and talents He has so gracious given through the Holy Spirit to minister His mercy and grace.

Our coming together is also beneficial in helping us remain holy, that is, set apart from sin in our service to the Lord.

Again to Timothy Paul said, “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22)

Therefore, let’s start coming together as the church to stir up, to fan into flame the gifts God has so graciously given so that we can be that holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), and do those good works by serving God through serving others.