The New Mega-church

In our culture there has always been contrasts: Republicans vs Democrats. Conservative vs Liberal. Vegetarians - Non Vegetarians. Even in the church there are those who are more traditional and some that are contemporary in their worship.

But the latest phenomenon in contrasts is the rising new mega-church. The Atheist Church. You heard me right. A church for atheists. I know that sounds like an oxymoron.  "So-called "atheist churches" are popping up all over the country and attracting a growing number of people who have left their faith but miss the camaraderie of a congregation. The gatherings are now gaining steam in the U.S. after finding success in Great Britain earlier this year, according to The Associated Press. And the movement fueled by social media and spearheaded by two prominent British comedians is no joke." Source: NewsMax 

I guess it was bound to happen; a church without God; a church without the Bible; a church where they do not sing hymns. Pew researchers stressed, however, that the category also encompassed majorities of people who said they believed in God but had no ties with organized religion and people who consider themselves "spiritual" but not "religious." They call their gatherings "Sunday Assemblies." Sunday Assembly — whose motto is Live Better, Help Often, Wonder More — taps into that universe of people who left their faith but now miss the community church provided. 

Hundreds packed in for more than an hour of rousing music, an inspirational sermon, a reading and some quiet reflection. The only thing missing is God.  "The idea that you're building an entire organization based on what you don't believe, to me, sounds like an offense against sensibility," said Michael Luciano, a self-described atheist who was raised Roman Catholic but left when he became disillusioned. "There's something not OK with appropriating all of this religious language, imagery and ritual for atheism." Source

The Performance Trap

In Luke 18:9 we read about a man who thought all his accomplishments merited him favor in the sight of God. That attitude is still prevalent today. When people try to convince you of their standing before God, they will usually list all the things they do. They will even remind God how 'holy' they are by their activities done in the name of God.

But God judges us differently. Before Jesus began His earthly ministry, before He performed His first miracle, we hear the Father say, " “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-17. The Father was pleased with His Son not based on performance but by His position to the Father. 

Before you fall into the "performance" trap, remember it is only through our personal relationship with Jesus Christ that we find acceptance with the Father. In the hymn, Rock of Ages, of the phrases says it best: " In my hand no price [performance] in bring, simply to thy cross I cling.

God will not ask us what we did on earth to merit entrance into heaven. If He does asks us any question, it will be "What did you do with my Son?"

 

There is not question that King David was a brilliant warrior. Repeatedly he overcame great odds but in 1 Chronicles 21 he did something that was a big mistake. He decided that he would take a census of how many fighting men there were at his disposal. Taking a census of his potential  army at first sounds like a sound decision but you have to consider the whole picture.

1. The idea to number the people was not originally David's but Satan. "Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel." 1 Chronicles 21:1 Sometimes when we make decisions, we need to check our motives and if the decision is in God's will. 1 John 5:14-15
2. He refused the counsel of his military advisors. 1Chronicles 21:3 God has placed people in our lives that we might seek their counsel.
3. If we analyze this passage, it becomes clear that David was proud or at least ambitiously curious. David was relying on his strength and not God's. When we try to govern our lives in our own strength and wisdom; we are heading for trouble.

Years later, David's son, Solomon, penned some of the best advise we can use to direct the course of our lives: "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track." Proverbs 3:5-6 [The Message}

What Ever Happened to Sin?

This morning I was reading over tomorrow's Sunday School lesson and the topic was sin. Particularly,  When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. Later on I was working in my yard trying to remove some persistent weeds/vines [?] that keep coming back every year.

But I was determined that they had to go, so I proceeded to dig them up. I was totally shocked when I saw the root system on this small plant. I had to use an ax to remove them. It was then I remembered the Sunday School lesson I had read earlier this morning. Eve had no idea where her decision to disobey (sin) God would take her and that it would affect the entire human race thousands of years later.

Millions of people today still believe that they can disobey God and it will not affect them or others. They think they have a better plan for their life than God has for them. Jeremiah 29:11 They do not realize that sin is progressive, that is it continues to become larger and larger until it has control of their life. What started out as excitement ends in destruction. James 1:14-16

Allow me to give you these words of warning:

• Sin will take you where you never planned to go.
• Sin will cost you more than you planned to pay.
• Sin will keep you longer than you planned to stay.