💡📜Mark 2:2 (KJB) And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.
💭Good afternoon Christian friend, I hope and pray all is well with you. I wanted to share a thought with you while reading my devotional this morning through Mark. Here’s my question; what is your motivation / purpose for attending church? Do you attend your local church simply for their music style and performance? Do you attend because you enjoy the fellowship of the people around you? Do you attend because of the teaching personality style of the presenter? Why do you go to church? I couldn’t help but notice that often in the gospels, when the multitudes joined themselves unto the disciples, He would preach unto them the word of God His doctrine (Matt 7:28; Mark 1:22; Luke 4:32; John 18:19). Here’s a general summary of how the people would often responded to His preaching;
📜‘they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority’- Mark 1:22.
💭I must also add, not once did Jesus Christ invite the multitudes to hear His teaching by offering them complementary food either before or after His teaching sessions, easter eggs, ‘creative worship’, programs for their children; like many modern day believers incorporate within their practices. All I am trying to say is, if the word of God was sufficient for our Lord to engage sinners with, and their lives were changed by believing in His doctrine; then why can’t we too return to this pattern in our churches today? The audience of Christ’s day, as well as His apostles throughout the book of Acts; were fortunate enough to not have had all the modern day technologies of T.V’s, cell phones, social media (in my opinion); since these modern day supplements distract many from the ability to simply come to church to sit down for 1 hour, without the need or urge to check their phones throughout the service, or think about something else whey they hear their teacher teach. Can you believe that people actually came to Jesus long ago hear His preaching; and had the discipline to even sit or stand for a long time until He was done with His message? I don’t know about you believer, but I am even more motivated to help build this spiritual discipline within my marriage, and church family; so that we could learn what coming to church is all about; to hear the word of God preached unto us. Jesus Christ, and His apostles, were able to lead many to saving faith without the need to incorporate modern day tactics used by many (as they adopt worldly business growth principles to grow their attendance) by promising the multitudes free food, easter egg hunt, arts and crafts for children, harvest festivals, special lighting etc. I believe that the gospel is still sufficient for our salvation, and spiritual growth thereafter, if we’re willing to continue to come unto Him to hear Him preach to us in our hearts. I can only provoke you brethren, as you read this post, to consider what your motivation is the next time you go to church. I don’t want to come to Jesus simply for free food and entertainment, for I learned by reading in His word how Christ Himself reproved the crowds that came to Him simply for those reasons in John 6:25-27. Go to church to hear His word preached for the benefit of your soul, and your walk with God. We need more Christians going to church, carrying their personal bibles in their hands, along with their children; to hear the word of the Lord taught and preached.
In love- Brother Carlos.
Bible references below are KJV;
Preached:
Matt: 4:17,23; 9:35; 11:1
Mark: 1:14,38-39; 2:2
Luke: 4:19,44; 8:1; 20:1
Taught:
Matt: 5:2; 7:29; 13:54
Mark: 1:22; 2:13; 4:2; 9:31; 10:1; 11:17
Luke: 4:31; 5:3; 6:6; 19:47; 20:1
John: 6:59; 7:28; 8:20; 18:20
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