Roy’s Ramblings
As I was walking around town this week, meeting and greeting shop owners, tourists, locals, and … well … anyone else that would give me a moment – and as I invited folks to come to church on any Sunday Morning – I had one individual that asked me: “Why should I come to church, I already belong to other social and service organizations?” (Ok that wasn’t his exact words … but I didn’t want to give away who he might be or what he may attend).
So, that has had me thinking … I know dangerous right?? Why do we come to church? Well, according to Moses we are to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. That has translated over the years as that we are to go to church. According to Jesus we are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, etc. Again, these are great works done inside and with the church. According to the angels to the shepherds we give Glory to God in the highest heaven. And, in church we do this by remembering and performing the sacraments and other means of grace. In Hebrews we are called to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds”. That sounds like to me the gathering time before and after the service. And, yes I know … social and service groups can do these things too.
So, why church?? Faith. I believe it has to do with faith. We have faith in God the creator and by faith we accomplish great things. We have faith in the Christ the redeemer that showed us the way to live as an example of the holy life that we are called to live. We have faith in the Holy Spirit that we are heirs of the Kingdom and have a part of our Creator living and dwelling inside of us to allow us to show light, and God’s will, to others. Can we accomplish good deeds without faith? Sure. But James links the two so as to make a person complete. “For as the body without Spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26 This Sunday we will be finishing our basic intro sermon series from my first Sunday to now and see how Faith fits into the whole picture. I pray you have faith. Faith in the church, faith in yourself, but mostly Faith in God.
Be Blessed and a Blessing – Pastor Roy
