I used to leave church and the conversation would
go like this: Hey honey, “What did you think of church today?” The response
followed: “I liked the message” or “It was too hot in the Worship Center” or “They
played my song… I loved the music selection today” or “They have too many hymns”
or “they don’t have enough hymns.” I'm sure you've had that experience too.... right?
We can evaluate our experience on
Sunday morning by what we got out of it. We’ve submitted to the consumer
mindset that says its all about me and what I can consume. I think somewhere in
that conversation we’ve horribly missed the mark.
It is my personal conviction that the primary
purpose for the church gathering on Sunday is not what we can get, but what we
can give. And I believe that’s in-line with the Bible. I believe our call is to
evaluate how much we’ve been able to “one-another” at church. Did you know there are over 65
references to “one-another” in the NT alone?
Here are just a few:
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your
feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you
must love one another.
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not
to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.
[ Final Greetings ] Finally, brothers and sisters,
rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace
will be with you.
Instead
of evaluating our experience by what we get, we should evaluate our experience
by how much we were able to pray for someone who is hurting, rejoice with
someone that is rejoicing, mourning with someone who is grieving, care for
someone who needs help, serve someone who needs assistance, share Christ with
someone who needs hope. Lets leave and ask the question; “were you able to
encourage someone today?” This is the call of each and every believer and not
just the paid pastors.
The
one-anothers are so important because
I can listen to some world-class preachers on the inter-webs, and I can worship
on a mountain top with awesome music, but the one thing I cannot do by myself
is encourage someone or be encouraged. And this only can happen if the entirety
of the body is engaged. Its not up to a paid pastor. It's up to you.
