The Hows, What, Whys but not 'What ifs' (The church)
First of all let me say this. I am in no way directing this post to any church. Nevertheless, it is what churches should take note of. =) Siapa makan cili dia yang rasa pedas kan?
Now in no way what I say here is biblical. This is just words and ideas that sprung up through discussions with a friend. But this is my opinion in which I feel very much convicted to.
I will not need to go into the definition of a church. A church is a gathering of believers where it is not the building but the individuals that make up the church. A platform for growth, transparency, discipleship and a hub to send out Christians to make disciples of all nations. Know more? Google it or read a book on it.
So I've been to many churches over the years and have learned much. Different denominations, different practices, different demographics but all serving one God. No matter how different the culture or age, the gospel is still the same. The general "routine" of a church is you come, there is introduction, then there is worship, then comes the sermon (preaching) and then fellowship after that. But I want to talk on one section which is the sermons.
Of course first and foremost the sermons must be preached from the Bible and no where else. Of course you will get good and bad sermons, wet and dry seasons. But I feel leaders fail to listen or understand the position of their church members who go in and out every Sunday. (Now by saying this I am not dissolving all responsibility as a church member and leaving it all on the shoulders of the leaders). Basically when I say this know that I am aware of where I am heading and not assuming the worse of the leaders as well as having an imbalanced view of the church.
So they preach the truth, they preach about God's character, they guide us on what to do to avoid this and that. What to do when you sin. What does the gospel mean. Why did God do this and that. It is great. So now members know what the gospel is. Know that in Christ we are set free, that we are not subjected to the law, that we are sinners saved by grace. That Christ died on the cross for our sin against the Father so that whoever believes in his life, death and resurrection will be counted righteous and have eternal life, there is forgiveness that in Christ we are not only seen as spotless and blameless but deeply loved and pleasured by the Father in heaven. We learn that we now have the ability to avoid sin (though imperfectly) by grace through faith with the help of the Holy Spirit in this fallen world. The list goes on.
But churches then fail to address the 'What ifs'. What if in spite of knowing the truth I still cannot get it? What if my head knows it all but my heart feels as if God is so distant? What if I learn about God being loving and all but my current situation in life does not show that God is loving in one bit. (Yes there are times when circumstances for example surpasses human logic where all we can do is trust in God's sovereign love). But those what ifs can be addressed in the Bible. You see, if the preacher fails to address the 'what ifs' then the sermon in general can become irrelevant. Funny....truth becomes irrelevant. For one simple reason. Because as much as you tell them the truth, they understand but they will never get it because to them, it is not real to them. So the church needs to bridge their heart and head. Bridge that gap within them. How? By addressing the 'what ifs'
Now again. Just in case you all misunderstand. I did not say, the hows, what and whys are not important. All I am saying is if sometimes when you miss the what ifs, this can actually happen. You get hearers of the word but literally just hearers. Because as much as they hear they can't do because it is not relevant. How to know God loves me if I do not mention their what ifs? How to make disciples of all nations if I am first not discipled? How to acknowledge God's preeminence when He seems absent in my life? So yeah.
Now in no way what I say here is biblical. This is just words and ideas that sprung up through discussions with a friend. But this is my opinion in which I feel very much convicted to.
I will not need to go into the definition of a church. A church is a gathering of believers where it is not the building but the individuals that make up the church. A platform for growth, transparency, discipleship and a hub to send out Christians to make disciples of all nations. Know more? Google it or read a book on it.
So I've been to many churches over the years and have learned much. Different denominations, different practices, different demographics but all serving one God. No matter how different the culture or age, the gospel is still the same. The general "routine" of a church is you come, there is introduction, then there is worship, then comes the sermon (preaching) and then fellowship after that. But I want to talk on one section which is the sermons.
Of course first and foremost the sermons must be preached from the Bible and no where else. Of course you will get good and bad sermons, wet and dry seasons. But I feel leaders fail to listen or understand the position of their church members who go in and out every Sunday. (Now by saying this I am not dissolving all responsibility as a church member and leaving it all on the shoulders of the leaders). Basically when I say this know that I am aware of where I am heading and not assuming the worse of the leaders as well as having an imbalanced view of the church.
So they preach the truth, they preach about God's character, they guide us on what to do to avoid this and that. What to do when you sin. What does the gospel mean. Why did God do this and that. It is great. So now members know what the gospel is. Know that in Christ we are set free, that we are not subjected to the law, that we are sinners saved by grace. That Christ died on the cross for our sin against the Father so that whoever believes in his life, death and resurrection will be counted righteous and have eternal life, there is forgiveness that in Christ we are not only seen as spotless and blameless but deeply loved and pleasured by the Father in heaven. We learn that we now have the ability to avoid sin (though imperfectly) by grace through faith with the help of the Holy Spirit in this fallen world. The list goes on.
But churches then fail to address the 'What ifs'. What if in spite of knowing the truth I still cannot get it? What if my head knows it all but my heart feels as if God is so distant? What if I learn about God being loving and all but my current situation in life does not show that God is loving in one bit. (Yes there are times when circumstances for example surpasses human logic where all we can do is trust in God's sovereign love). But those what ifs can be addressed in the Bible. You see, if the preacher fails to address the 'what ifs' then the sermon in general can become irrelevant. Funny....truth becomes irrelevant. For one simple reason. Because as much as you tell them the truth, they understand but they will never get it because to them, it is not real to them. So the church needs to bridge their heart and head. Bridge that gap within them. How? By addressing the 'what ifs'
Now again. Just in case you all misunderstand. I did not say, the hows, what and whys are not important. All I am saying is if sometimes when you miss the what ifs, this can actually happen. You get hearers of the word but literally just hearers. Because as much as they hear they can't do because it is not relevant. How to know God loves me if I do not mention their what ifs? How to make disciples of all nations if I am first not discipled? How to acknowledge God's preeminence when He seems absent in my life? So yeah.
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