Before you leave the church, let me tell you one thing...
Acts 13:46 "Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles."
[Verse 51] "But they shook off the dust of their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium."
Why was it necessary that the Jews receive the Gospel first? I mean really! The rest of the world was desperate for a Word too? That's a legimate gripe but it was necessary that the Jews receive the Gospel first because (1) they were waiting for the Savior to come and had been waiting for deliverance for generations; (2) they were knowledgeble about the prophecies concerning Christ and should have been the first to recognize Him; (3) the Jews did not deserve the Gospel (does any of us) but God's extension of it to the Jews displayed God's grace and mercy; (4) and most importantly, God promised and His Word never returns void.
What does this have to do with you, you ask? Well, I am not specifically aware of your issues with the Church (or if you have any at all with the Church) but statistics would suggest you might. These same statistics also suggest these issues are deal-breakers and you may be considering leaving the Church all together. As a matter of fact, you may already be gone. You, or someone you know, could have decided to worship God at home in lieu of a formal and traditional church experience. Televangelism is so huge now. Many consider tv churches their personal place of worship. Are you counted among this number? If so, let me tell you one thing...
Christians deserve to hear the Word God has given you before you take it to the world. I know I know, of course the Great Commission commands us to take the Gospel to the world. However, does Jesus intend for us to neglect those in the Church while we evangelize the world? I am one of those disillusioned by the Church. I have been hurt more by those I worshipped with than I have by the average non-believer in the world. I was convinced if the Church did not want to accept the Word God had given me then I would take it to the world- those hungry for it.
Then a few months ago I read the Scripture listed above. I heard the voice of Wisdom ask, "Have you really offered the Church the Word I gave you? Is it the Word they rejected or is it you?" For the reasons I detailed the Church deserves to hear the Word first. So many of us are leaving the traditional Church because we feel rejected. But the mandate to preach the Word remains and it is to the House of God first.
Jesus principle #9: Extend the Gospel to those in your own house first.
Paul and Barnabas had preached the Gospel to the Jews and they rejected that Word. Then Paul and Barnabas were released to extend it to others. It was then and only then that they "shook the dust of that city off of their feet". Have we extended the Good News to those in our families, churches, and neighborhoods first? I fear we have ignored the needs of those closest to us for fear of their rejection. How sad it would be if we evangelized those across oceans so they would not go to hell while those nearest to us were living hell on earth! Jesus' evangelistic plan was based on geography and is still legitimate for a variety of reasons: Jerusalem first (home), then Judea (community), Samaria (those not like us), and outermost parts of the world (those farthest away).
I encourage you (as God most recently chastened me) to re-think your position on the Church. Certainly, you and I have a Word the world needs to hear. And we must extend the invitation. But there's something you have to offer to the Church as well that no one else has to offer. And if you offer it to those around you, you will make an immediate impact on your community. Think about it: someone could have been praying last night for the Word you have to offer. Offer it to those right where you are. Geographically, it makes the most sense. You already live there!
In passionate service to Christ,
Minister Katrina Winters
www.realpainrealgod.blogspot.com
[Verse 51] "But they shook off the dust of their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium."
Why was it necessary that the Jews receive the Gospel first? I mean really! The rest of the world was desperate for a Word too? That's a legimate gripe but it was necessary that the Jews receive the Gospel first because (1) they were waiting for the Savior to come and had been waiting for deliverance for generations; (2) they were knowledgeble about the prophecies concerning Christ and should have been the first to recognize Him; (3) the Jews did not deserve the Gospel (does any of us) but God's extension of it to the Jews displayed God's grace and mercy; (4) and most importantly, God promised and His Word never returns void.
What does this have to do with you, you ask? Well, I am not specifically aware of your issues with the Church (or if you have any at all with the Church) but statistics would suggest you might. These same statistics also suggest these issues are deal-breakers and you may be considering leaving the Church all together. As a matter of fact, you may already be gone. You, or someone you know, could have decided to worship God at home in lieu of a formal and traditional church experience. Televangelism is so huge now. Many consider tv churches their personal place of worship. Are you counted among this number? If so, let me tell you one thing...
Christians deserve to hear the Word God has given you before you take it to the world. I know I know, of course the Great Commission commands us to take the Gospel to the world. However, does Jesus intend for us to neglect those in the Church while we evangelize the world? I am one of those disillusioned by the Church. I have been hurt more by those I worshipped with than I have by the average non-believer in the world. I was convinced if the Church did not want to accept the Word God had given me then I would take it to the world- those hungry for it.
Then a few months ago I read the Scripture listed above. I heard the voice of Wisdom ask, "Have you really offered the Church the Word I gave you? Is it the Word they rejected or is it you?" For the reasons I detailed the Church deserves to hear the Word first. So many of us are leaving the traditional Church because we feel rejected. But the mandate to preach the Word remains and it is to the House of God first.
Jesus principle #9: Extend the Gospel to those in your own house first.
Paul and Barnabas had preached the Gospel to the Jews and they rejected that Word. Then Paul and Barnabas were released to extend it to others. It was then and only then that they "shook the dust of that city off of their feet". Have we extended the Good News to those in our families, churches, and neighborhoods first? I fear we have ignored the needs of those closest to us for fear of their rejection. How sad it would be if we evangelized those across oceans so they would not go to hell while those nearest to us were living hell on earth! Jesus' evangelistic plan was based on geography and is still legitimate for a variety of reasons: Jerusalem first (home), then Judea (community), Samaria (those not like us), and outermost parts of the world (those farthest away).
I encourage you (as God most recently chastened me) to re-think your position on the Church. Certainly, you and I have a Word the world needs to hear. And we must extend the invitation. But there's something you have to offer to the Church as well that no one else has to offer. And if you offer it to those around you, you will make an immediate impact on your community. Think about it: someone could have been praying last night for the Word you have to offer. Offer it to those right where you are. Geographically, it makes the most sense. You already live there!
In passionate service to Christ,
Minister Katrina Winters
www.realpainrealgod.blogspot.com
Comment
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Comment by Minister Katrina Winters on March 26, 2009 at 7:55pm
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You are so right Elaine!
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Praise God, I eat first from the Word before God has me share it with others. I needed this too.
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Comment by T.L. Hawkins on March 19, 2009 at 8:14am
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I NEEDED this! Thank you!
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