I was speaking to my son and his wife about going to church this morning. They told me they were looking for another church that their pastor had gone Hollywood. Buffoon hairdos, mega expensive clothes and is by all accounts a celebrity now at least in his mind. My daughter-in-law got her phone and showed me several of these mega-preachers and their clothes expense reports. It was nauseating with $1200 dollar shoes and $4000 leather coats.
I suppose that the hundreds of millions that are raked in changes them. I made a ton of money at one point in my career and I never had a coat that cost $4000, shows that were $1200, or $800 dollar shirts. That is God’s money and those who gave it want to further the work of God and not squander it on some arrogant preacher that has a God complex.
Is it any small wonder that it is so difficult to get average people to go to church? The Bible says we should not forget the gathering together of each other. I don’t think God had in mind going to watch a theatrical production with a narcissist preacher who is putting on a show.
If you attend such a church, please don’t give up finding the place God wants you. Go to one that offers small groups whereby you can fellowship with believers with a goal of kingdom building. I believe God intended for us to gather together for that purpose AND for strengthening our faith through fellowship. Just don’t give up; you might have to attend several before God lets you know this is the right one.
Church attendance is not just a “good suggestion”; it is God’s will for believers. Hebrews 10:25 says we should “not [be] giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Even in the early church, some were falling into the bad habit of not meeting with other believers. The author of Hebrews says that’s not the way to go. We need the encouragement that church attendance affords. And the approach of the end times should prompt us to be even more devoted to going to church.
Church is the place where believers can love one another, encourage one another, “spur” one another to love and good works, serve one another, instruct one another, honor one another, and be kind and compassionate to one another. It is an important part of our worship. Covid restrictions are long gone – Go to church!
1 Peter 2:5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.