If you’re more focused on the church than you are Jesus and the Holy Spirit you’re missing the point.

I’ve been talking to non Christians lately whom I work with and it’s all the same. “I want to believe but I’ve had bad experiences with the church.” I’ve written a post earlier called Ecclesia which is an assembly called out, what the church was when it began. One guy said “I shouldn’t have to go to church I can talk to God right where I am.” I responded no and yes. God is omnipresent, you’re correct, but in order for iron to sharpen iron we need community with the same beliefs. But that community “the church” doesn’t have the reputation it should. I always say not all the churches are the same. I won’t just tell someone you should go to church. I tell them you need to understand who the Holy Spirit, and a church that is moving with the Holy Spirit is where you want to be. But I’m only one man and can’t direct everyone to the appropriate church nor do I know what God has planned for every man. I give all the men/woman this challenge. Take your focus off of the church, for as being a Christian we become the body of Christ. So put your focus on Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Ask God for wisdom and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance. I challenged them to read scripture and learn how Jesus, the disciples and Paul taught and lived through good times and challenges. Watch how the Holy Spirit intervenes. Ask God to make His presence known to you.

Usually they’re expecting me to preach to them or just invite them to church. But that’s just putting all the responsibility on the pastor. We have to give them a reason to attend church. So many go just because it’s what they know. Those who don’t know Christ need to hear what experiences and changes has happened in your life. So much more is needed than a simple invitation. And the other down fall I’m often told is that they see to many hypocrites living as if they never been saved.

If your saved then there’s a change you experience. If your trusting and obedient to God you should be able to recall your blessings. If you’re reading scripture and praying, as the prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective as the NIV says then you can speak from experience of the experiences you’ve had with God.

To know the good your ought to do and don’t do it is a sin. I take what I learn from scripture and apply it. It goes hand in hand. The gospels and Paul’s letters are testimonies to us. Jesus came to testify. They didn’t say hey go to that person over there and hear what they have to say. They shared their own testimony and shared Jesus with them. Christians are to be an assembly called out, not to stay hunkered down keeping the blessings to themselves. It was meant to be shared from the very beginning.

Rev G