The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Very troubling

Hi all <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

This past Sunday, it happened to be my pastor's wife's birthday. Everyone from the church was invited to the pastor's house for tea at 4pm. At 4pm, almost EVERYONE from the church arrived. It also just so happens that at about 5.30pm, there is a wonderful (once monthly) study done at pastor Jeff's house. Let me tell you, these studies are so enjoyable. I cannot describe to you how much can be learnt from them! Anyway, everyone was having a great afternoon.. Then, 5.30pm comes, and most of the people leave. The numbers dwindled down to about 8 regulars.

The same situation is found on every other normal Sunday. Many people arrive for the morning service, but a hopeless few for the evening communion/worship service. In fact, the audacity of some people in the church is incredible. I missed a service one week because I happened to be sick. The next week, a woman (who NEVER attends church regularly and who LIVES DOWN THE ROAD) approached me and said: "Where were you last week David?"

And all of this, my friends, is so saddening. What is wrong with the church today? Where is the lack of commitment? Where has the desire to know God gone?

As Christians, I believe that we should jump at EVERY opportunity of fellowship in order to grow in the Grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ! There should be an intensity with which we desire to know God! Where has that flame gone?!

And YES, I even say it in relation to this forum. I was looking through the list of members earlier, and decided to check out a few of the posts made by people. Some people say things to the effect of: "It's so great to be able to fellowship with all of you here," "What a wonderful forum, it's so rare to find a reformed Christian forum," "Glad to be here," and so on... Don't get me wrong, I know there must be people who just come here to read - but I can say with quite a lot of confidence that this is most definately not the case for all members. This I know from mere day-to-day observation of the Christians around me.

I'm taking a stab in the dark here... but I'm assuming that there are more Christians in the world now than ever before. What an impact they could be having on society! And how often do we hear of positive evangelism stories where people are brought to Christ? Not once have I heard of this in my life. This troubles me greatly. True, the Lord works in different generations and times - but each time it has been through faithful preaching of the Good News. We may not have great men like Luthur in our midst, but we have One greater than all within us. How much more motivation do we need? We have the God of all creation at our side! Christians sitting back and doing nothing I am SURE is not part of God's plan for a revival.

Since a young boy, my parents have always told me the following story:


Anyway, I just thought I'd share some of my thoughts with you all. What are your thoughts concerning this situation?

Sincerely,
Dave

PS: Hehe... I've set an extremely high bar for myself, havn't I? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/heavy.gif" alt="" />

Dave,

Amen! Very good things to think about. The importance of the local church, along with the importance of church discipline, are seemingly lost doctrines of our day. I will pray for your church and for its leaders.

Amen Brother and keep preach'n it. It sounds like your passion for the Lord is leading you in the path of righteousness. Stay on it and bring glory to His name and share your faith with whom ever should want to here it. Allow the Lord to mold you and serve Him faithfully and may His grace and peace always be with you.

God bless you Dave.

Dave.

I'm actually your sister <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Thanks for the reply though!

Sorry, my bad... I was meaning to reply to Dave's post not yours.... but I agree with you too. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Dave.

I've just been speaking to my Dad and he brought something of major importance to my mind.

He told me that we are not always on fire in our spiritual walk. And because of this, he said that it's important not to make assumptions (and ultimately judge) other Christians according to OUR OWN spiritual state. He said that we need to be very careful to not fall into the trap of unbiblical anger which leads from our exhasperation and despair regarding the so called "luke warm" attitude we see around us. Rather, through tactful and Biblical admonition and encouragement, help "kindle afresh the gift of God" which is in each and every Christian from the moment of conversion!

Praise be to God for my Dad! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/ClapHands.gif" alt="" />

There seems to be such a fine line between the two ends of the spectrum: a constructive, biblical attitude towards it... and an unbiblical anger and self-righteousness which may possibly lead from that.

Just on that same grain of thought... my Dad told me of a sermon he heard by Eric Alexander regarding the "luke warm" attitude of many Christians. Eric Alexander said that it is great test for the Christian to "kindle afresh" that flame within them when life becomes boring and mundane. That it is dangerous to let our zeal for Christ be enveloped by the mundane routine of every-day life.

Thought provoking stuff.

Sincerely in Him,
Dave

Dave:

A very wise man.....get him something nice for Fathers Day....

Eric Alexander...now where have I heard that name before......must have been on the Highway...somewhere. here

Dave

Dave,

It sounds like your dad is a wise man. Just remember you can't always judge a book by the cover. You will find that some Christians don't wear their faith on their sleeve or draw attention to themselves. It's not wrong to be excited about the Lord but it's wrong to measure the faith of other believers by your standards.

Still water can run very deep.


Wes