For I do not do the good I
want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Romans 7:19
Several years ago, the London Transit Authority had a
problem.
Customers were complaining their bus wasn't stopping
to pick them up. When they were questioned, the passengers all were sure they
had been in the right place and they had been there at the right time. In spite
of their prompt presence, their bus just flew on by.
The LTA investigated the claims.
After some serious evaluations they had to admit the
passengers were indeed telling the truth. They were at the right spot at the
right time.
But ... you're going to love this.
The London Transit Authority explained to all the
irate non-riders: "It is impossible for the bus drivers to stay on schedule if
they are always having to stop and pick up passengers."
Told you, you wouldn't believe it. The LTA and the
drivers had all forgotten that getting people from here to there was their first
job. Schedules, although important, were inconsequential unless passengers were
being delivered.
There are times when I've seen churches and
congregations like that. They were so involved with owning this, and building
that, and procuring something else that they forgot the first purpose of the
church is to help move people from here to there.
If we aren't helping move souls from hell to heaven --
from lost to saved -- if we're not moving them from not knowing Jesus to
receiving Him as Savior, we are forgetting our purpose. And we are hardly worthy
of the name "Christian church."
On the other hand, I've seen congregations -- some
financially challenged congregations -- do some pretty amazing things in the
Lord. Keeping their eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of the faith,
they did everything they could to share the word: Jesus Christ lives and because
He lives, we shall also live.
Now, if you belong to a congregation in that second
group, I hope you are saying a lot of thanksgiving prayers. And if you're not a
member at such a church, then the process of change at your present congregation
can begin with you. Do your best to make sure your church hasn't forgotten its
job of moving people from here to there.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, You have instructed Your
Church to do what they can to share Your story of salvation. For those faithful
congregations and clergy, I give thanks. Now I pray that the Holy Spirit may be
given to those who have forgotten -- or never known -- the job of God's people
is to move souls from here to there. Let them be awakened with the Gospel's fire
so the Holy Spirit may do great things through them. This I ask in Jesus' Name.
Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus Lutheran Hour Ministries http://www.lhm.org/ all rights reserved; not to be duplicated without permission.
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