I have been blessed to take part in a three day workshop/seminar called Impacting Your World by the IMB. There is no doubt God is working in our world. The sad truth is there are people coming to Christ all over our globe in the hundreds and thousands; however, right here in the USA we are stuck in the mindset of entertainment church. People come to church to see what they can get out of it. We have created a inward focus with all our programs and activities. It is hard to understand why people who claim to be followers of Christ and can quote Scripture, chapter and verse, don’t seem to comprehend Matthew 28:18-20, and Acts 1:8. Jesus gave the example to go. He not only told us to go, he commanded us to go. We have built these protective cocoons around an inner circle and expect God to bless us for being so committed to traditions, habits, and a culture of consumerism.
There are people dying and going to hell for all eternity who are crying out to the church you knew and you didn’t tell me. You knew Jesus and what he did for all and you didn’t tell us why? Are we willing to stand in judgment before our Creator and say we went, we told, we took up our cross and we followed your son or are we going to stand there as the gates of hell are opened so the sounds of those groaning, crying, and screaming “you knew and you didn’t tell” can be heard by those of us who refused to go and tell. It is time to rethink church! Think of the millions of dollars spent every year to build buildings for our comfort and convenience and we are telling missionaries we can’t afford to send you back or tell those who are willing to go sorry we don’t have the money to send you. Our churches are closing their doors more rapidly they we are planting new churches. Why, I believe it’s because we have lost our first love.
As a pastor, I cannot in good conscience stand by and be the leader of an entertainment church. It is time the church goes to the alter and say “here Lord am I send me. All I have to offer I freely give use me as You will.” It’s time the church lays our yes down on the alter and tell God to put it on the map.
