What's in it for me?

Hebrews 10:24-25  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Church (Worship, prayer, Bible Study, fellowship, tithing, serving, etc.), God and Christ are a decision and a commitment that many are not familiar with experientially, spiritually or properly intellectually. Why do people avoid church and do those who attend do so for the “right” reason? The questions are different, but the answer may be the same. If the issue is the same, then would it be okay and “no real big deal” to miss church ... because we do not understand why its really there. Church, to some, is NOT an encounter with God, their Creator, Sustainer, Lord and Savior. Like so many, many others, even some within the church do not sense the presence of God there, because they just know the physical world that they live and breathe, in nature experience.

It seems to me that we all need to change the object of our worship from this world to God. No other gods. Sure, we live in a physical world that God, Himself, created and placed us for this time in His purpose. But, do we seek first the kingdom of God? Who or what is the Master of our lives? Who and/or what are we committed to, dedicated to, and devoted to? Is church just one thing on our check list of "things to do today"? If so, then when something better comes along, then we can skip it? Busyness is a serious distraction. What is church really? Why are we there at church? I remember, as a child growing up in a nominal pseudo-Christian family that believed in God but didn't really know Him or the gospel, wondering “what people did when they went to church?”

Maybe the question is really, "Who is God?", because we really don't know Him or the gospel of Jesus Christ. The church can "sour" impressions with its own "things to do today" tradition, that many that attend hold as the chief reason that they are there. Why would anyone want that works-based experience? It would not create a good experience there, just a fulfilled obligation. Is life about mankind, the planet, or me? Or God, then the rest comes into focus? I don’t want to go through motions; I want to experience the presence of God, physically, soulfully, and spiritually - Emmanuel (God is with us), Hosanna (God save us we pray), Abba Jehovah (Father God)!

Hebrews 10:11-23 Every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Catch this truth and get in here! Participate in true Worship and the life of the church, for your sake, for the sake of a church body and for Christ's sake. The pull of the world's routines are strong ... if I don't go to church, I could be doing something that “I” like (is what the world, the flesh and Satan tells us). The world asks, "What's in it for me?" and they need to see it because “what” is there ... not as an entertainment performance, because that leads to the "one up-ing the last time" cycle, and the day that they fail to entertain, many are gone. But God never fails, so the attention needs to be focused on personally "meeting God" in worship and praise with Believers in holiness and righteousness. Not that the church décor, the music, the ambiance doesn't add to the atmosphere and experience. It certainly does! But, does the church offer something ... anything that the world doesn't give? If there is no presence of God ... it surely does not. It seems to be natural verses spiritual, instead of natural and spiritual.

Find God at church and experience His presence there, and “let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another”. That’s what’s in it for me and you!

In Christ, Brian