Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves, according as the custom of some is, but entreating, and so much so rather as you are observing the day drawing near.
Hebrews 10: 25, Concordant New Testament
Within the Eastern Orthodox faith, this past week is considered the "Holy week," the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. I only know this because my co worker friend and his family are of the Eastern Orthodox faith. He is Egyptian by birth, immigrating here with his family some years ago. Needless to say, he is very adamant concerning attending his church during this time. It is a time of tradition as well as celebration. I get it. I recall the churches which I have been in also made it a practice to put on majestic Christmas and Easter celebrations. I will say that the congregations during these times is a dramatic increase over the regular Sunday morning service. Which brings me to my point. In the past I have been, let's just say, a bit critical of the mainstream church practice of elaborate celebration services with loud music and flashy props. Yet a conversation I had with a good friend of mine this week has given me a new perspective. What if one of these elaborate church celebration services were the only thing which drew a person of family into the church? Would they still be considered by some as annoying? Perhaps, but realize that the Lord could also be providing that particular service on that particular Sunday to reach one who desperately needs to know Him. What's your opinion of flashy church services now? Up until this week, I was totally against the dog and pony shows which many big congregations put on each week. Believe me, I've seen my share of them. I remember standing in the foyer of the church one Sunday morning with a decibel meter fully intent upon confronting the lead pastor with my noise complaint. Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed and I retired my noise meter. Yet one thing I always noticed about these Sunday rock and roll shows is that there was always a steady stream of first time visitors. Obviously, something had driven them to walk through the doors of that church that day. I have no idea just how many of these people eventually became regular attenders, only that they chose our church to visit. So the question remains, are we to deny someone the opportunity to hear of the Lord simply because we don't like how a congregation conducts their services? I should hope not.
The God Who makes the world and all that is in it, He, the Lord inherent of heaven and earth, is not dwelling in temples made by hands, neither is He attended by human hands, as if requiring anything, since He Himself gives to all life and breath and all.
Acts 17: 24-25, Concordant New Testament
In the book of Acts, the apostle Paul makes an important observation upon seeing the idols of the Roman temple he is walking through. It is God, the creator of all that we see, who does not dwell in temples made by human hands {Acts 17:24}. The brick and mortar church has never been the home of the Lord. People have referred to the local church as Gods house, far from it. That's not to say that the spirit of the Lord cannot and is not present in our local church. But dwell there? No. Paul makes the point that the Lord requires nothing from us {Acts 17:25}. It is we who require Him. Over the years many a Christian has come to associate the brick and mortar church building as the center piece of their faith. It is where we gather, celebrate and worship. Yet the church building should not be our focus. Paul proclaims that Christ Jesus is the head of our church {Colossians 1:18}. It is He who we should be celebrating and worshipping. It is Jesus who is the reason we gather. This is precisely what the early church of the followers of Jesus did. Meeting and assembling in different homes talking about the life and teachings of Christ. This was as authentic a church as you can get. Yet we do not see loud praise and worship bands as the early church met. No, they simply shared a meal and talked about Jesus. As in our houses or worship, all were welcome. So, who am I to deny someone the opportunity to hear about Jesus simply because I don't like loud church music? For all I know, that raucous celebration was allowed by the Lord Himself to bring in someone who desperately needs to know Him. In that case, welcome to the dog and pony show brother!
Now all those who believe were also in the same place and had all things in common. And they disposed of the acquisitions and the properties, and divided them to all, forasmuch as some would have had need. Besides persevering day by day with one accord in the sanctuary, besides breaking bread home by home, they partook of nourishment with exultation and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor for the whole people. Now the Lord added to those being saved day by day in the same place.
Acts 2: 44-47, Concordant New Testament
~Scott~
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