WE REALLY DO NEED THE CHURCH!

WE REALLY DO NEED THE CHURCH!

 For some reason, a church member who had previously attended services regularly, suddenly stopped going.  After a few weeks, the pastor decided to drop by for a visit.  It was quite a chilly evening, and the pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.

 Guessing the reason for his pastor’s visit, the man welcomed him in, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and patiently waited for his counsel.  The pastor made himself comfortable but said absolutely nothing.  Sometimes silence really is golden.  They sat together as friends, enjoying each other’s company while contemplating the play of the flames around the burning logs.

 After some minutes, the pastor took the fireplace tongs and carefully picked up a brightly burning ember, placing it all alone on one side of the hearth.  Then he sat back in his chair and observed silently.  His host watched all of this in quiet fascination.

 As the one lone ember’s flame diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more.  Soon it was completely cold, apparently as dead as a doornail.

 Not a word had been spoken since their initial greetings.

 Just before the pastor departed, he picked up the cold, dead ember and returned it to the middle of the fire.   Almost immediately, it began to glow again with the light and warmth of the burning coals surrounding it.

 As the pastor reached the doorway, his host said, “Thanks so much for your visit, and especially for the fiery sermon.  I shall be back in church next Sunday.”

 Lesson learned.

 Every committed believer understands the fundamental fact that regular worship and Word gatherings are not optional.  In fact, they are clearly mandated by our Lord: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)  This might be somewhat challenging or even impossible during the current pandemic, but let’s make it our business to gather together with the people of God (as soon as practical or possible) to hear from Heaven and collectively celebrate the King of Kings.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!