The Test

On By BrianIn Church Life, Habit of Stewardship, Heart

Summer is here.  And with summer comes numerous activities that compete for our time.  And some of those activities are on Sunday mornings, competing for our time with the Lord and his people.  It may be a game, a race, a family get-together, a trip to the beach, a work picnic, or any number of other things.  Each alternative Sunday morning activity represents a test.

  • It is a test of our priorities.  Will we choose what Christ offers or what the world offers?  Will we choose Christ or that activity?  Which will be first?  Which will take the priority?  The early church devoted themselves to coming together for the Word and prayer.  Paul risked his life to plant and build up local churches.  Will we share their commitment?  Our world is filled with idols that many people worship, but on Sunday mornings the church gathers to declare that there is one true God.  We gather to celebrate the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We gather together to worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  What could possibly be more important than that?
  • It is a test of our attitude.  We could come every Sunday to church, but with the wrong attitude.  We could come bitter because we really want to be doing something else.  We could sit through the sermon impatiently, hoping it will end soon so we can go and do what we really want to do.  Or we could gather expectantly, excited to see what God might do among us.  We could gather joyfully to worship the Lord through singing and prayer and His Word.  What is our attitude?
  • It is a test of our witness.  Like it or not, church is a public expression of our commitment to Christ.  Our neighbors see if we leave for church each week.  Our families see if we are committed or not.  If we don’t have a strong commitment to church, it communicates to others that Christ really isn’t that important to us.  And if it isn’t important to us, why should it be important to them?

So this summer when those alternative activities come up, go to church.  Tell your family you will be late to that family get-together.  Tell your coach you can’t make the game.  Save that trip to the beach for another time.  You already have plans for Sunday morning.  You have a prior commitment.  Make church a priority, with a good attitude, as a good witness for Jesus.

3 thoughts on “The Test”

  2. Michael Bancroft's avatar Michael Bancroft

    I thought your blog would be more like a multiple choice test.

    Friends from down state who are pagan want to stay the weekend in their camper on your property. Should you?
    A) Assume that it would be unchristian-like to force your religion down their throat by asking them to come with you to church. Let them sleep in. Secretly disappear on Sunday morning and if they are still there when you get back from church tell them where you went (if they ask).

    B) Decide that it would be better to stay home from church and make them breakfast and practice your friendship evangelization while on the golf course instead of offending them by inviting them to come to church, which is kind of boring anyways. Plus you get to sleep in.

    C) Let them know in advance that if they will not come to your church on Sunday that they are not welcome on your property.

    D) Let them stay on your property but tell them that only Christians may hook up to your electricity and then be particularly loud when you are getting ready to go to church. Attempt to shame them into coming to church.

    E) Live your life in such a a way that people naturally assume that you would go to church on Sunday, regardless of life’s circumstances. Let them know that you would be pleased to have them stay at your place, with free electricity, and that after church you’d like to pick up the tab for a round of golf for the four of you. But, invite them to church and let them know how much you enjoy it while letting them know that there is no hard feelings if they don’t want to go.

Comments are closed.