|
|
 |
| Mission:
Impossible?
Are Up To The Challenge? |
|
| Jason
Moore |
|
That's an apt description
of the difficulty of getting people to read religious
literature. I know that it's not that folks aren't interested.
At least not always.
After all, you have a busy life. There are lots of demands for
your time. I mean MCI, AT&T and Sprint called you all in
one night. One telemarketing sales pitch is an ordeal--much
less three.
Besides that, the kids are playing ball and spending the night
with their friends. And you had to "pick up
something" for dinner for the third night in a row.
And then there's the problem of conscience. It's that nagging
feeling of "ought."
We know that we "ought" to go to church. And we've
been "looking around" for awhile. For several months
in fact we've been planning to get back in church. At least
"for the kids' sake." They've gone a few times with
the neighbors. But we need...and plan...to go as a family.
And so here's another flier...another tract...another
invitation reminding us of what we already know we
"ought" to do and of what we intend to do
"someday." Another guilt trip.
See why I say--Mission Impossible? Tom Cruise never had it so
bad. But if you've stuck with me this far, will you read a
little further? I guarantee that despite all your busyness and
feelings of "ought", neither you nor this brochure
will self-destruct before you're finished.
The Challenge
DECIDE TO DO IT. Come visit
our services this Sunday. I'm not trying to burden you with
another commitment. Actually, being with us will help you
relieve your conscience somewhat.
Furthermore, the answer to our busy schedule is to make room
for what is really important and not just relegate God and
family to our left-over time. Sunday is the Lord's Day. God
deserves our full attention and affection on His day.
DETERMINE WHAT'S IMPORTANT.
The lake? The TV? Overtime? Sleeping in? Grooming the yard?
Washing the car? How long will the harvest of any or all of
those endeavors last? Not long.
Sincere Bible study. Reverent worship. Fervent prayers.
Practical preaching. What sort of profit will those activities
yield? They'll fill your mind with virtuous thoughts. They'll
stir your heart with noble sentiments. They'll prod your will
to righteous conduct. They'll equip the sincere participant
for eternity with God. That's value.
GET OVER YOUR WAIT PROBLEM.
No more excuses. No more waiting. No more planning. No more
x's and cross-outs and penciling on the calendar. Just come
on. The only way that you'll find time, is to make time.
You'll feel better. You'll quiet your conscience. But don't
just do it for your kids. Do it for yourself. You were made in
God's image. And your life will be the happiest and most
satisfying when your relationship with God is good. Are you up
to the challenge?
Necessary Equipment
AN OPEN BIBLE--We'll refer to
it many times in our Bible classes and worship. We don't
apologize for that. We're not ashamed to say that we would be
"lost" without our Bibles. It's the only way we know
to find out what God expects of us. We won't presume to
justify anything that we do on the basis of our own
"think so." We try to rely on God's word alone for
all that we teach and practice.
A CURIOUS MIND--We invite
your questions/ Curiosity is the beginning place for all
learning. You'll not offend us by inquiring about anything you
hear or observe in our services. And we'll not embarrass you
or make you feel uncomfortable for asking. You may very well
teach us something or expose an area that we need to
investigate.
A PATIENT SPIRIT--You're apt
to find that you disagree with us sometimes. Please don't go
away bitter of fail to confront us with your disagreement. We
express our beliefs with conviction, but we also try to be
fair and kind. We firmly believe that Christians can be united
on the teaching of the Bible. But we can't resolve our
conflicts unless we are all patient enough to discuss our
differences and to search the Bible together to find the
truth. We're willing to try if you are.
A WILLING HEART--Without it,
this mission is impossible. You'll always be too busy. You'll
always say, "Maybe next week." And then one day,
you'll no longer be interested. The feeling of
"ought" will have worn off and you'll just get angry
when we ask you to come to church with us. Please, don't let
that happen.
Intelligence Info
CAUTION: The following intelligence data has surfaced. Watch
our for these scenarios if you should accept this impossible
mission:
FRIENDLY PEOPLE, donning warm
smiles and cheerful greetings. They may have your best
interests at heart.
CHILDREN'S CLASSES that take them through the Bible every
three years. Were it not for four different adult classes (two
on Wednesday and two on Sunday) the children might soon know
more about the Bible than their parents.
PRACTICAL PREACHING that challenges, indicts and
motivates. It might even persuade people to live more moral
and godly lives. What is the world coming to?
SPIRITED SINGING. There is no piano or band. If you can
imagine that. Please don't be suspicious of such unorthodoxy.
It's not that we can't afford nor that we don't enjoy musical
apparatus. But we assemble to worship God not to entertain
ourselves. We simply can't find where God ever asked
Christians to worship Him with instrumental music. Be He did
say "sing" (Eph. 5:19).
BE ADVISED of the following schedule of services. These
people apparently like being together. The lack of great
discrepancy between Sunday and Wednesday crowds is evidence of
the commonality.
Schedule of Services
SHOULD YOU in fact accept this
mission, be prepared for a warm reception. See you soon?
|
|
Copyright (C)
2008
Southside Church of Christ
All rights reserved.
|
|
|
