Me

1Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3“Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4“For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5“But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6“They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7“greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ 8“But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9“Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10“And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11“But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12“And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Matthew 23: 1 - 12 NKJV

I found myself listening to an old radio preacher the other night and parts of his message got me to thinking of what his real motivation was.  Near the end of his sermon, the pulpit pounder exclaimed to his congregation, "Come join me next Sunday in my church won't you?  Can anyone see what I did?  Well, let me translate his statement for you...me me me!  Unfortunately I have seen this far too often in my church comings and goings.  In fact, congregations are often refered to as the flock of one pastor or another!  Really?  I suppose that scripture of Christ Jesus being our Good Shepherd was lost on these guys.  For the true head of our church is Jesus Himself, and one day He will return for her.  What pride have we that we ourselves would lay a claim of ownership over those who God has brought to us.  No matter if this pastor indeed led someone to the Lord or not, the one true teacher, the one true Lord can be found in none other than Christ Jesus.  For the very church which we claim membership is His and we are His.  I would dare to call such claims by certain pastors as pure arrogance and nothing else.  In our group we have often had many a discussion on the error of our thinking that we ourselves are truly independent beings.  I say "Error" because it is foolish to believe that we are independent of our heavenly Father who created not only ourselves but all that we see each and every day.  How is it that I can proclaim that I have my own independence when I myself a created being ultimately dependent upon God?  Jesus Himself had some harsh words for the Jewish Pharisees of His day, themselves a prideful group.  These Pharisees were famous for placing conditions of Gods children, and Jesus called them on it!  I've often joked with Dennis of his time spent in "Pharisee school" at seminary.  Although it is in jest, there is truth to this statement.  For even as the Pharisees of old would place conditions on Gods children, so do more than a few of todays pulpit pounders.  They are the epicenter of the church, of the congregation.

15Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
1 John 2: 15 - 17 NKJV

I have been bewildered for some time of the mainstream churches refusal to speak of the truth of Christ Jesus which is found in Galations 2:20.  For instead of talking of Christ Jesus in us and the restoration of that relationship we once shared with Him, we instead talk of the importance of the pastor and the church.  It is as if the center of Christs church resides in the ornate buildings and ordained pastors.  The apostle Paul was quick to point out that God Himself does not dwell in buildings built by men.

Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: 24“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25“Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.
Acts 17: 23 - 25 NKJV

Our focus should not be on what we do, but what Christ is doing in us.  In fact, I could use another statement in describing this.  With apolagoes to the late John Fitzgerald Kennedy, "Ask not what you can do, ask what Christ Jesus is doing in you!"  Suddenly, that church building, worship program and collection plate would take a back seat to the will of our heavenly Father and what He is doing in each one of us.  Now, I can see why the truth of Christ in us is not preached of that much in the christian church, for to do so would possibly decrease the pastors congregation size.  Sadly, the focus has been that empty pews translate into less income for the pastors church.  I have shared more than a few times of a gathering Dennis and I attended not so long ago at the home of a dear friend.  The focus of this Sunday morning gathering was simply that, to gather in the presence of Christ.  There was no pulpit pounder sermon, no blaring worship band and no morning offering.  This was simply a gathering of people who were experiencing their freedom in Christ without the trappings of the organized church.  One by one, each guest talked of the freedom they felt in Jesus that morning.  THIS is true worship, relaxing in the presence of our savior.

~Scott~