The Historical American Custom
of Attending Church, Is It Relevant For Today?
Why
is the "Church" needed today? I've asked myself this over and over.
Here's my answer. If you agree my advice is make a committed effort to support
the church of your choice. If you disagree, I hope you'll reconsider sooner
than later. Here's why. Our very American underpinnings are due to men and
women who believed in God. Anyone who arduously studies our U.S. history can
easily find the facts on this in our nations historical archives. Our own
Government has written records, citing America as a "Christian
Nation". History also points out, as this nation has grown, so also
churches were built in almost every state of the Union. The bible wasn't only
used to convey the gospel of Jesus, it was also used in schools and in our
courtrooms for learning good solid moral judgments (remember the 10
Commandments?). Many misquotes of God’s
Word have been made today regarding how Christians are not supposed to judge
others (good Christians shouldn't). However the bible does speak of man making
righteous judgments. Sort of like this: “I
don’t agree with the current President’s policies, the way he’s going about handling
our Nations security overseas. I don’t like his manor of campaigning, when
words are used to divide people into different pools, ie; the rich, the poor, white
and black, women and men. I don’t like that he supports gay marriage for any reason.
Lastly I don’t agree with his stance regarding our Nations energy issues, especially
workers in the coal mining industries. Does this make me even more a sinner
because I freely speak about my beliefs and my differences? Does this make him
more a sinner in the eyes of God? That my friend’s is God’s job, to judge, the righteous
and the unrighteous. Some of the issues I stated here are very much against
what I believe are biblical Godly ordinances. I cannot ever support them, and still
be in my right mind, in agreement with the Word of God. Our church body prays continually
for our nation, the President, and his family, and many others who are appointed
in positions, given powers by we the people to rightly use and not to misuse. So
in the course of our Nation’s history, and many appointed leaders, past and present,
who clearly stated they believed in God, and depended on the Word of God, our
nations course in history has been, and always will be continually defined by
God, just as all nations powers are ordained of God. The notable thing is the
church has been instrumental in bearing the yoke and continuing to carry the
yoke, because of the help, and grace of God Almighty! Here we are now in the
year 2012, and many churches are barely keeping the doors open because less and
less good people don't feel or think the church is really needed. Yet the Lord
tells us to not forsake the coming together, to greet and fellowship, and
encourage one another. To learn to love, forgive and help our neighbors. To meditate
on His word, so we develop a worshipful mind that abides in Christ the Lord, always
trying our best to walk in the teachings of Jesus daily. Where else is this
message being told? It’s being shared on the streets, in the villages, towns, and
cities of the United States, and in other nations, around the world as
missionaries are sent or led by God to go. With deep respect, I ask those who
have forgotten the churches of God, as being a worshipful place to gather and
pray in a communal type way with others, that are doing the best they can with
limited resources, to be careful about negative words spoken against the
churches God is the Leader of. Remember, He spoke to the 7 Churches in
Revelations. Each having fallen short in
one way or another, but he doesn't condemn them or close their doors. He just
asked them to repent and continue doing good and setting the righteous example
He's already established. So yes in this day and time 2012, the CHURCH is
needed just as much as it was needed in the past, and it will be needed in the
future. Why? So the gospel of Salvation is heard by everyone, from the church,
which is the body of Christ. My other advice is don't wait around until it’s
too late and the church you like has to close its doors for a lack of support. Laborers
in the fields are always needed. There’s always a ministry you can do for your
church or assist with in your church. Jesus said Go! Allow yourself to be
taught to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul, and love
your neighbors, as you love yourself”. The bottom line is this; “I
believe the Church is even more so needed today in our Nation, to insure our true
Godly American heritage and Christian way of life and beliefs are passed on to
all generations. Here are a couple of scriptures I happened to read that
generated this question in my mind. I hope and pray this helps you in making a
decision to attend a church, where Jesus is preached. Until Jesus Comes! God
Bless you!
1.
Luke 4:16-17:
16 He went to Nazareth, where he
had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was
his custom. And he stood up to read. NIV
2. Acts 17:1-3:
1
When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to
Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As his custom was, Paul
went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from
the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise
from the dead. "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ," he
said. NIV
3. Heb 10:25: 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as
some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the
more as you see the Day approaching. NIV
I hope and pray this helps you in making a decision to attend a church, where Jesus is preached. Until Jesus
Comes, May all of us Labor for the Lord! God Bless you!
Pastor Dan
