I have wondered if people went to school and work like they went to church, would the student still be promoted to the next grade? Would the worker still have a job? Attendance is a big deal in our day to day activities. Schools have an attendance office. My son, Daniel received awards in elementary school and middle school for perfect attendance. I have often laughed to myself at how I would hear the school bell ring just within seconds of the boys getting into school. Those mornings were FUNNY. My sons learned about the mercy of God those days.
Attendance matters in the workforce too. Workers have to call in if they aren’t coming into work. There are only so many days “allowed” to be absent. Why? Why is it so important to be present? Because learning, working and participation are all happening. These are fundamental whether we are talking about children’s growth or the essentials of a thriving economy or our overall maturity.
For many people, going to church to worship the Lord has become somewhat of an “extracurricular” activity. People do it if they have time on Sunday. So long as no one is coming over for a family get together. Whose birthday is it? Got to stay home and cook like Bobby Flay. Do we have time for church? So long as no one has to run to the supermarket or do laundry or watch the kids play soccer.
But whatever happened to worshiping Jesus? Whatever happened to giving Him the sacrifice of praise? Is He not still worthy? Many are taking God’s love, mercy and grace for granted. They visit their dentist more than they do the church. “God forgives.” They say. “So, God will understand why I opted to stay home from church. I can pray from home.” Yes, you can pray from home. But we are also to gather together. What does the Bible have to say?
Acts 2:42 says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
Notice the word “devoted.” That’s a lot of commitment.
Hebrews 10:25 says, “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.”
I will never forget how my precious mother even with all of her physical afflictions still came to church. No, she did not give up on meeting together. If she wasn’t in the hospital or in a rehab, she was at church. She made it a point to worship and serve her Lord until her last day on earth. I think about that often when I see people in good health refusing to worship the Lord in God’s House. It grieves my heart. I can’t imagine how much it grieves the Holy Spirit.
The Lord deserves better than what He is given. All through the week, Jesus is with us. This Sunday, Jesus will be at church. Will you be present? I pray so.
On this Giving Tuesday, I urge you to give towards the “Susy Samuel Missions Fund” in honor of my precious mother who moved to Heaven on December 4, 2016. She was more than “present” in my life and in the life of The First Door of Faith Church. She impacted me greatly and in giving towards this fund, you will be helping to promote the gospel, support the church she labored in and help to carry on her legacy of prayer and evangelism.
If you are interested to give, check out http://www.firstdooroffaith.org/give
Pastor Sharon's Blog 