A WORD FROM PASTOR!

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                      Greetings in Christ!

 

Have you ever heard a statement similar to this? “Well, I would love to be able to go to church, but it's hard for me to do when I see all the hypocrites there.” While you may have not heard those exact words, you've probably heard a variation of some kind and perhaps wondered a bit if you were being accused of being a hypocrite. None of us want to be considered in such a way, yet this is the impression often left in the wake of such a statement.

 

Jesus valued the church greatly, and in fact calls it his Bride! We know also that He's coming one day for a Bride without spot or wrinkle, but we also realize there's still a lot of spots to be removed, and wrinkles to iron! Hebrews 10:25 gives us a tremendous reminder of the importance of church attendance. “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Paul gave a reminder in the following verse that also serves as a reminder about the body of Christ. Eph. 3:18 …may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height.

The phrase “with all the saints” is very interesting. Paul is reminding the church at Ephesus that this process of growing in Christ is not something we can do on our own, or even just within the context of our own families. While we must grow in Christ there, we need to be reminded that the love Christ wants us to grow in is one we learn in the context and environment of the church, or the body of Christ!

The church is where we get into some “iron sharpens iron” moments!

 

The church is where we are able to weep with another who weeps!

 

The church is where we are able to rejoice when another rejoices!

 

The church is where we can join together to meet needs!

 

And yes, it says with ALL the saints! And that means anyone who professes Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and lives a life reflective of that confession of faith. I would like to encourage you to make church attendance a regular and consistent part of your life. You WILL become a stronger Christian as a result!

We can let God sort it all out one day regarding who the “hypocrites” are. Let's just relax and have church!

 

                       Pastor Donald A. Frazier