res·ur·rec·tion (rěz’ə-rěk’shən)
noun 1. The act of rising from the dead or returning to life.
With the Easter celebrations behind us now I guess it’s time for us to once again put the idea of the resurrection back on the spiritual back shelf and go on to the important things in Christianity; making me happy and making my life easier. Isn’t that what Christianity is all about? After all that’s what we are preaching in our churches.
I got on the websites of some of the biggest churches in America just to see what the “big guys” were talking about. Here are a few titles to sermon series of one of America’s biggest churches:
The Best Me I Want to Be
A New You
Be Rich (okay, I kind of like this one)
Don’t misunderstand; I’m not a jealous little pastor of a sad little church. We pastor an awesome church with people that love God and love each other. And there are great churches and ministries doing much more than I will ever do, and I say “PRAISE GOD!” What’s been on my mind of late is this, why do we have the types of church services in America? Are our services more American than they are biblical?
Recently I taught a lesson from 1 Peter and one verse stuck out like a lightning bolt, 1 Peter 1:9 (NIV) for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus purchased our salvation. But let’s be honest, the goal of faith for most American churches is a better life for its attendees. But Peter made it very clear; the salvation of our souls is the goal of our faith.
Maybe what the church needs, (“we” are the church so it’s what we need) is a crucifixion of our own! The Apostle Paul put it this way; Galatians 2:20 (NIV) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
By God’s wonderful grace I have been receiving revelations of His Word that has had a very powerful affect on my life. I want to know God more, and want to experience His presence more; I want to live in more of His power and more of His glory. I want what Paul wanted, and my prayer is that you would want it too…
Philippians 3:10-11 (NIV) I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
I like the “Get Rich” title as well. Great blog!