Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Church devotion: Church Blessings - Proverbs 5:23

Proverbs 5:23             For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.

            Yet another singer/celebrity has just been quoted as saying “You don’t need to go to church to be a Christian.” Really? Where did that idea come from? It seems to me that the house churches, Mediterranean worship centers, local synagogues, and even the Jerusalem Temple, were all used by New Testament Christians to congregate in and worship God. They all supported, served, and loved one another, so that church going became a joyful and important event in their weekly lives.

            To me, saying that “You don’t need to go to church to be a Christian,” is like saying you don’t need oxygen to breathe, or you don’t need food to grow, or you don’t need water to live. Church going is at the heart of our faith. On Sunday mornings, when I see folks at church, I observe a lot of people who are struggling with issues concerning their families, their finances, and their futures. They come to church, not because they are holy, righteous, or perfect, but because they need to hear that God is still in control, and that people of God care for them. It also gives every one of them the opportunity to offer support and help to the rest of the body of believers.

            When celebrities publicly say “You don’t need to go to church to be a Christian,” what they are really expressing is that they are not willing to humble and discipline themselves to go to church. They’ll follow their own path, make up their own minds, live life according to their own beliefs rather than allowing the Church to augment their lifestyles, give them guidance, or bless their lives. Unfortunately, they usually end up with no faith at all and the wise, warning words of Proverbs are yet again fulfilled: “For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.”

Questions for personal reflection

What does going to church mean to me? How can I help others to experience church blessings?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You call the Church Your Bride because You are committed to its well-being, life, and mission. You established church long ago and by the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit, Your Church has grown into billions of followers on Earth, who regularly gather together to worship God and glorify Your Name. Thank You for this wonderful blessing of church, which helps us to become better Christians. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or make comments about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.


Today’s image is one of John’s drawings for World Communion Sunday, which annually takes place all over the world in churches on the first Sunday of October. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: WCS.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Church devotion: A Simpler Path - Acts 2:46

Acts 2:46         Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.

            I envy the First Christians. Their faith seemed very simple and straightforward. They worshipped and studied each day, and made time to frequently share meals and break bread together. They weren’t encumbered with almost two thousand years of ecclesiastical history, denominational divisions, or cultural conflicts. They just simply, purely, and innocently practiced their faith in cheerful, faithful, and joyful ways.

            Where did we go wrong? What moved us off the simpler path to Christ? Christians today are fiercer than ever and fighting battles that are not important. Whenever I read something belligerently written by some Christian group, whether they be conservatives or progressives, which berates the other side, I feel badly inside. In the past, I’ve created and contributed to these self-righteous invectives, but I’ve now reached a point where I ask myself this: what does it prove? How does it help Christ’s Kingdom? What do people outside of the Church think of us?

            I’d like to get back to those simpler days of sharing the Gospel and breaking bread together. I’d like things between all Christians to change, so I know that it has to begin with me. I may not get it right all of the time; I hope I don’t wander from the simpler path, but I know that the Church – whether local, national, or even international – can’t go on beating itself with its own stick. The world is broken and we need to be healers sent from Christ, but we can only do that if we honestly heal ourselves of our self-sustained prejudice, arrogance, and ignorance.

Questions for reflection

What is the role of the Church in the world? How does it present that role in my local community?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we are all sinners saved by Your grace, but sometimes we forget that we are essentially unworthy and unholy. Redirect our lives and re-position us on a simpler path of faith. Cleanse us of ecclesiastical arrogance and cultural conflict. Teach us Your Way, so that we can faithfully present Your Truth and live Your Life. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to make comments or ask questions of today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.


Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings. It’s called “Spirit of Autumn.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Spirit.