Lost on Sunday

“Not all those who wander are lost.”

                                                                                    J.R.R. Tolkien

  The boss of a large company needed to call one of his employees about an urgent problem with one of the computer servers. He dialed the employees home phone number and was greeted with a child’s whispered voice on the first ring, “Hello?” Feeling put out at the inconvenience of having to talk to a youngster the boss asked, “Is your Daddy home?” “Yes” whispered the small voice. “May I talk with him?” the man asked. To the surprise of the boss, the small voice whispered, “No.” Wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, “Is your Mommy there?” “Yes,” came the answer. “May I talk with her?” Again, the small voice whispered, “No.” Knowing that it was not likely that a young child would be left home alone, the boss decided he would just leave a message with the person who should be there watching over the child. “Is there anyone there besides you?” the boss asked the child. “Yes,” whispered the child, “A policeman.” Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee’s home, the boss asked, “May I speak with the policeman?” “No, he’s busy.” whispered the child. “Busy doing what?” asked the boss. “Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the Fireman,” came the whispered answer. Growing concerned and even worried as he heard what sounded like a helicopter through the earpiece on the phone the boss asked, “Well, what is that noise?” “A hello-copper,” answered the whispering voice. “What is going on there?” asked the boss, now very alarmed. In an awed whispering voice, the child answered, “The search team just landed the hello-copper!” Alarmed, concerned and more than just a little frustrated the boss asked, “Why are they there?” Still whispering, the young voice replied with a muffled giggle, “They’re looking for me!”

  While we haven’t called in a Search & Rescue, we are looking for some of you. Summer has hit and with the nice weather, it’s very easy to be “missing in action” when it comes to worship and church attendance.

  It’s easy and tempting to skip church. We can feel a bit like we got away with something…like playing hooky as a kid and not getting caught. Missing out on worshiping our awesome God and being with His family, catches up with us. While I’m thankful that we can live stream our services, it’s not like actually being at church.   

  A good comparison to weekly worship attendance is like going to the gym. You join. Pay for a membership. You’re determined you’re going to be there. And then life hits. We rationalize and come up with varied excuses. If we could read people’s minds on Sunday mornings, we’d see all kinds of interesting thoughts…I’m tired. It’s my only day to sleep in. I can worship God better in nature. One of the kids is sick. We have family/friends in from out of town. I’m not feeling that good. I have so much work to do. I just don’t feel like going…I’ll go next week.

  Most of us wouldn’t miss work for the reasons that we miss church. That sadly says much about our spiritual values and priorities. When something is important, when it’s valuable – we find a way to make it happen.

  As the gym is the natural context to pursue physical fitness, the local church is the supernatural context to pursue spiritual fitness. The church is God’s gymnasium. As a Christian, you’re running a race. If you want to run it well, you need training to help you reach and maintain peak performance. It’s in the local church you find the trainers who instruct and guide you, that you follow the training regimen God has planned out for you. It’s here that you work out alongside peers training for their own race so you can be inspired by their labor and you can motivate them in return. If you’re going to be in good shape spiritually, you must prioritize weekly church attendance.

  Read your New Testament. The local church is central to God’s plan for this world. Much of what God means to teach the world, He teaches through the church; much of what He means to display to the world, He displays through the church; much of what He means to accomplish in the world, He accomplishes through the church. No ministry can outshine it, no program can replace it, no power can topple it. The local church is God’s plan and God doesn’t have a backup plan.

  Did you know that nearly two-thirds of those with a gym membership never actually go? At one time their intentions were good. They determined they’d get in shape and signed on the dotted line. Yet, without conviction and habit they quickly stopped.

  Many Christians are the same with church. They have their church but attend only occasionally and serve very sparingly. On its own, a gym membership can’t get you a fit body. You need to actually go to the gym to take advantage of its equipment and programs. Likewise, merely choosing a church does nothing for your soul. You must participate in the church and take advantage of what it offers. That’s why if you’re going to grow and be healthy spiritually, weekly worship must be a priority. Many desires, responsibilities, hobbies can interfere with church attendance. Rest assured, Satan doesn’t want you to come. It’s only as we make church our highest priority on a Sunday morning and, as far as possible, allow nothing to interfere, that we’re going to be there.  
  Joining a gym yet skipping shows. You know it the next time you climb a long flight of stairs. Skipping out on worship also shows. First, it gets easier. Then, you find your values begin to change. Your attitude and language soon accompany it. You’re shocked to discover that you’re a little more impatient, negative and self-absorbed. Church attendance gives us a bigger view of God and helps us love others. That’s what Hebrews 10:24-25 teaches. Skipping out is spiritually expensive.

Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.