I want to praise the Lord for my most recent experiences with a growing congregation. For the last 2 weeks I've attended a worship service at the only church that I was ever a member of (by my own choice). I'd stopped fellowshipping with that congregation over 10 years ago (for reasons not worth mentioning), but I wanted to see what that congregation had become (as it was growing rapidly when I stopped attending). In their new location they have a much larger facility to accommodate their various ministries and finally adequate parking for visitors and congregants, but more significantly, they've retained as of primary importance the preaching and teaching of the word of God. The Pastor was a young man in his first full pastorate when I met him and he's clearly grown in knowledge, discernment and wisdom. I'm greatly encouraged to see that congregation very much spiritually alive and well founded in truth. Over the past 10 years I've seen churches founder and stumble because of a lack of sound biblical preaching, excessive carnality among leadership, and a waning experience of sincere love for the brethren.
While its possible to draw crowds with false gospel messages and carnal doctrines, the pressures of life, the trials and tribulations we all suffer aren't answered by lies and deception. God blesses the church where the church remains faithful to His calling, but even this is by His own doing and for His glory. Amen. Praise His holy name, His power and His glory, even our Lord Jesus Christ, blessed forever. Amen.
While its possible to draw crowds with false gospel messages and carnal doctrines, the pressures of life, the trials and tribulations we all suffer aren't answered by lies and deception. God blesses the church where the church remains faithful to His calling, but even this is by His own doing and for His glory. Amen. Praise His holy name, His power and His glory, even our Lord Jesus Christ, blessed forever. Amen.
