Wednesday April 18, 2012

Read Deuteronomy 12:8-11; Colossians 3:15-17

 

Yesterday I asked a confronting question. Can you remember the question? That question, to help jog your memory, was ‘When you walk into church, what attitude do you bring with you?’

 

Deuteronomy 12:8 is one attitude that we should NEVER bring into church - that I will do as I see fit. What’s wrong with such an attitude? Apart from ‘EVERYTHING!!’, let me spell out a few things. Firstly, to put me at the centre of my universe contradicts the greatest commandment to love God wholeheartedly. Secondly, it dismisses the second greatest commandment to love thy neighbour as thyself.  Thirdly, it contravenes a host of commands in the New Testament that exhort us to be other centred and working for their benefit. Thirdly, as we do church with me at the centre we drain the life out of church much like a parasite drains the life out of its host.

 

In the word “church” there is no ‘me’ but “u r” there. You are there to serve others, to give, to edify, to bless and to be other centred. In the church ‘me’ disappears and the body of Christ emerges triumphant and glorious. Church is not and never should be about me. It should be about Jesus and each other. What needs to disappear from our services is that consumerist ‘me-ism’ that the world has adopted and that Christians have started to imitate in all areas of life, even church.

 

Here’s a challenge for each one of us. This week be determined to go to church without a consumerist attitude. Be challenged to go to church to serve, to give and to look out for others. What will that look like? That depends largely on you. But here are some guidelines. In being other centred, ask after each person you see. Spend 3-5 minutes genuinely asking about each person’s welfare. If someone asks you to help or to give them something, say “Yes”. Even more so, offer your services in any area that you can. Offer to pray with at least 5 other people over morning tea or supper.

 

Are you up for the challenge of returning the church to its God given glory? Are you up to the challenge of putting yourself and your needs below everyone else’s? Let’s pray that we all are!

 

Prayer:

¥ Pray for each and every single person in your congregation. Pray that no one will have a me me me attitude any longer. Pray that those who do, will be convicted by the Spirit of God and brought to repentance by faith and God’s grace. Ask God to restore the glory of your church service by changing people from the inside out.

¥ Pray that the work of Student Life would continue to grow and expand. Pray that they would have financial and leadership resources to continue growing spiritual movements across campuses. Pray for the increase in opportunities to share the faith and to make disciples.