Sometimes when I’m having my time of “coffee with the Lord” – reading and reflecting on God’s Word – I come across a passage that I just feel nothing much more needs to be said! Today that happened for me when I read this passage in the Psalms – Psalm 112. After reading it I simply jotted these words in the margin of my Bible: “Oh, I want to live in such a way that I reap these benefits and blessing!”
Here it is (and after you read it for yourself I think you’ll see what I mean!)…
“Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears [or reverences] the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous. It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice. For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.” (From Psalm 112:1-9 ESV)
A number of years ago I was introduced to a wonderful book that proposed a way to enrich my marriage as well as the relationship I had with our children. The book was “The 5 Love Languages – The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman. Its premise is, if you want to effectively let someone know that you love them, don’t utilize your preferred or dominant language of love, but determine the love language of the person you want to communicate your love and utilize it. The 5 love languages Chapman identifies are… Words of affirmation, quality time spent, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch.
Those who have utilized the principles Chapman suggests, testify to its powerful effectiveness. In fact, the principles proved so effective I utilized a companion book, “The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace,” in a graduate course I taught dealing with motivation theory entitled, “Energizing People for Performance.”
Powerful stuff! And the principle of the “love language” books – that effectively communicating love is not about our preferred way of saying “I love you,” instead it is about the preferred way of the person we desire to communicate of our love to.
And in the case of my devotions this morning that person was God! Here’s the phrase from Ephesians 5:1-13 that brought it to mind… “Try to discern what pleases the Lord!” In other words, simply saying “I love you Lord” is not sufficient – read your Bible, listen to His voice, and demonstrate your love to Him in ways that He indicates please Him.
Com’on, read the following passage with that in mind:
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), AND TRY TO DISCERN WHAT IS PLEASING TO THE LORD. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” (Ephesians 5:1-13 ESV)
Hey, I want the Lord to REALLY KNOW that I love Him! Don’t you?
It seems churches today are very interested in what attracts people to their services and participation in their programs and ministries. Some have referred to churches that prioritize this concern as “attractional churches”
“The attractional church seeks to reach out to the culture and draw people into the church. Attractional churches design their services and programs in such a way as to “attract” attendees. A primary focus of an attractional church is to attract congregants to worship services.” (From GotQuestions.org)
Consequently many have given attention to the preferences of the broader culture… They have, adjusted music, lighting, stage accouterments, and the attire of those on the stage to appeal to the broader culture. Sermons and Bible studies (“talks”) are crafted and delivered to appeal to “guests.” Buildings are constructed and furnished with the needs (and interests) of the “outsider” in focus. Everything is examined with the goal of attracting “guests” to their services and ministries.
Question is however… Are these things what primarily attract people to gravitate to a church and become “followers of Christ” – are these the things they truly looking for in a “church?” What is it that truly makes a church – a fellowship of believers – “attractional?”
This morning I read a passage in Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians that focuses on two key summarizing elements that, I believe if followed, would make a church authentically and powerfully “attractional”. Both address the behavior and attitude of its members, more than its accessories and activities, and both are articulated as warnings. Here they are:
Give no opportunity to the devil.
Be careful not to do, say, or entertain anything that would grieve the Holy Spirit.
Here’s the passage: Just Imagine the impact of a congregation within a community whose members exhibit the following characteristics…Therefore, putting away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor! We are members one of another! Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger. GIVE NO OPPORTUNITY TO THE DEVIL! Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. AND DO NOT GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (From Ephesians 4:25-32)
I believe the summarizing elements I’ve identified encompass what this passage addresses. I believe they are keys, often neglected, that will truly make a church “attractional” – NOT the building, NOT the programs, NOT so much what takes place on the “stage” – instead the quality and character of the people!
