Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Harvest Blog

News from Harvest Baptist Church

Church Attendance part 2

Posted by admin On May - 19 - 2010

This is a continuation of last weeks Pastor’s Corner on church attendance. You may want to look up last weeks and read it if you didn’t get a chance to read it. Click here for to read last weeks Pastor’s Corner.

I have heard a ton of excuses about why people don’t come to church. The people at Church are hypocrites. I don’t have nice clothes to wear. I don’t need to go to church. I can worship God, even while I am fishing. I have to work late on Saturday night. I only get to sleep in on one day and that’s Sunday. Church isn’t important. Church is for good people who haven’t messed up. You don’t know what I’ve done. They’re so many churches. I don’t know anyone there. I want to spend time with my family. I believe that all of these, and many other excuses all boil down to self-focus (Notice I said excuses not reasons an excuse is a lie with the skin of a reason. Don’t let Satan fool you with his lies). How does church impact me, my family, my job, ect?

The church isn’t just another social event. The church is the body of Christ. The people in each local church need each other. We are interdependent. Just like your whole body would be affected if you lost your arm so the church is affected when you don’t do your part and attend. We are to be, “provoking one another to love and good works,” and “exhorting one another.” Some have said, “That was really important when the church was just starting but it just isn’t as important anymore.” The author of Hebrews would disagree, “and so much the more, as you see the day approaching.” Church attendance should become more and more important as the day of Christ’s return draws nearer. The Bible says, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come (2 Timothy 3:1).” During these perilous times we need to have the encouragement that God has provided for us through the church.

This is why we have multiple services during the week. Not so that you can pick and choose but because we are meeting more as the day of the Lord returns. Sunday morning we meet to be encouraged and challenged by the word of God. We meet together on Sunday night so that we can get into the doctrine of the Word. We meet together Thurdsay night so that we can expectantly pray for God to work in our Church. On Saturday morning the men meet to pray for God to work in our Sunday services. We have activities and fellowships so that you can encourage and lift each other up. If you are missing out on these things it isn’t that God hasn’t provided them for you it is that God is calling you to come.

Those who are attending church need to recognize the reason that they attend is to lift each other up. To point each to Christ who is the head of the body. We don’t just sit in church as soak up all that the Bible can give to us. But we encourage each other in Christ. We draw close to each other through the word of God. We get involved in what God is doing. We come to church to bask in the love of the one who died for us and to show his love to each other and be prepared to go out and show the world.

I’m praying for each of you and I’ll see you Sunday.
Pastor Josh

P.S. Still no baby :(

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Highlights

Dear Church Family,

What a beautiful to sight to look out at the landscape transformed by the white snow. As I look out the window preparing for tomorrow I can’t stop thinking about the sacrifice that Jesus made for me to make my sin as white as snow. I pray that you will begin thinking these thoughts today and prepare your heart for tomorrow’s service. We have a very special service planned tomorrow. Our singing will be focused on the sacrifice that Christ made for us on the cross. Maria Barta, one of our newest members, will be singing one of my favorite songs tomorrow, The Look (the lyrics for this song can be found at the bottom of this post). We will conclude the service with our Sacrifice Sunday Offering. In this offering you will be asked to place your financial, as well as time, sacrifice to Christ. It will be a wonderful time of focus on the work of our precious Savior.

I understand that the snow has made it difficult for many to get out; however, I believe that tomorrow’s service is extremely important for our church. We have a quick fellowship after the service tomorrow followed by a presentation of the plans for our new auditorium. If our church is going to move forward on this building project I believe it is vital for us all to be on the same page. We are planing the future of our church tomorrow. We spent the entire month of January building up to this service. I believe this is a critical time for our church body. We have the opportunity to gather together and focus on the sacrifice that Christ made for us on the cross. I pray that you will be here tomorrow to worship together with the body of Christ.

In Christ,

Pastor Josh


The Look


I saw one hanging on a tree in agony and blood

Who fixed His loving eyes on me as near His cross I stood

And never till my dying breath will I forget that look

It seemed to charge me with His death though not a word He spoke


My conscience felt and owned the guilt and plunged me in despair

I saw my sins His blood had spilt and helped to nail Him there

But with a second look He said “I freely all forgive

this blood is for your ransom paid; I died that you might live”


Thus while His death my sin displays for all the world to view

Such is the mystery of grace; it seals my pardon too

With pleasing grief and mournful joy my spirit now is filled

That I should such a life destroy yet live by Him I killed


CHORUS

Forever etched upon my mind is the look of Him who died

The Lamb I crucified and now my life will sing the praise

Of pure atoning grace that looked on me and gladly

took my place



Original lyrics by John Newton. New and Alternate lyrics by Bob Kauflin. © 2001 PDI Praise (BMI). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Ministries.

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