Church Attendance

The Bible is very clear about God’s expectation regarding “church attendance” – to use our modern terminology. Christ commissioned the establishment of churches, the Holy Spirit inscribed instructions about how they operate, and God requires that our regular gathering in church not be neglected. Actually, the Hebrews passage so often quoted in this regard tells us that gathering together at church ought to happen “all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25). The requirement to “be in church” should intensify as the years roll by, not diminish. While there is much more to church than just showing up, it is important to realize that we must attend regularly. Regularly and consistently going to church is a fundamental Christian duty. I realize that in a consumer culture saying that anything about Christianity is “a duty” is foreign to most people. But if God requires it, then it is my obligation to attend, even if I don’t think they’ll miss me, or need me, or feed me the way I think they should. Obviously, you should find the best and most biblical church within a reasonable driving distance. But once you’ve found the best one available, consider it your Christian obligation to be there regularly, even after the newness or initial excitement wears off, and especially as the reasons for not going pile up. If God requires it, you can be sure Satan will tempt you to neglect it. But don’t. Make it your resolve to be there week after week as faithful children and obedient servants of the Lord of hosts (Malachi 1:6).

Epaphroditus

Epaphroditus is one of the many unsung heroes of the Bible. His name means “attractive”. And while we don’t know anything about his physical appearance, when we read the New Testament we quickly discover that he possessed a beautiful character. While others were abandoning the Apostle Paul in droves, Epaphroditus remained his faithful and loyal friend. When the Apostles lamented the selfishness of those who clamored for the Christian spotlight, Epaphroditus was on the short list of those who truly cared for the welfare of others. In stark contrast to the values of our day where self-preservation, recreation and relaxation are a top priority, Epaphroditus like Paul worked himself to the point of exhaustion for the cause of Christ. Some would have expected Paul to chide Epaphroditus for overextending himself, but instead Paul praises him as an exemplary servant of Jesus Christ. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, when it comes to individuals with attractive and godly hearts like Epaphroditus, we must be sure that they are not unsung. Paul writes of him in Philippians 2:29, “honor such men!” So when you find a modern-day Epaphroditus, be sure he or she is not an obscure or unsung character in the story of your life.

Authority of Scripture

Without an unswerving resolve to affirm that God has inscribed his authoritative voice on the pages of Scripture we are hopelessly lost on a turbulent sea of speculation and opinion. Isaiah cries out to those who subjectively look inward or elsewhere for answers and says, “to the law and to the testimony” for “should not a people inquire of their God?” (Isaiah 8:19-20). The familiar words of Proverbs 3:5 exhort: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding”. Unfortunately for many Christians this means nothing more than subjectively imagining what God’s input might be. But we need the objectivity of Scripture and not the subjectivity of our speculation. Subjectivity was the low point of biblical history. Remember the closing words of Judges, “and everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25 b). We must value and consult God’s written word if we are to claim his wisdom and direction. Trusting in him and not ourselves means that we exalt his inspired sentences above our feelings and even our impressions about what his thoughts might be. As the Psalmist often affirmed, “I shall have an answer… for I trust in your word” (Psalm 119:42).

Wisdom

We are far too easily impressed with the “wisdom” of this world. What our society lacks in truth, it tries to make up for with confidence. But with all the assertiveness of our culture, they have yet to settle the disparity between what they sense they need and what they actually have. In the words of 1 Corinthians 1, “The world through its wisdom did not come to know God” (1 Corinthians 1:21). But it certainly tries. Our western culture may have given up on gold and stone idols, but they still seek their ever-changing pantheon of gods in hopes of finding that ultimate fulfillment and lasting satisfaction. But the cisterns are dry, as Jeremiah wrote (Jeremiah 2:13). The fountain of living water, which Jesus promised would forever close the gap between what we need and what we have, cannot be acquired through the ideas and prescriptions of the world (cf. John 4:10-14). We must be willing to humbly concede that God has “made foolish the wisdom of the world” and that “it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:20-21). When by faith through the cross we are reconciled to our Creator and we find peace with our Maker we quickly learn that, “Christ is the power of God and wisdom of God, for the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:24-25).