email : Webview : Duane Brooks - Every Day with Jesus

August 2, 2018

1 Corinthians 14:24-25

But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

New International Version (NIV)

                 Imagine getting on a plane and noticing everyone around you had a uniform on. You happened to book a flight on a plane full of pilots on the way to a convention. Suddenly you feel safe. If there is any problem on the plane, over a hundred people can step in and land the plane. Then someone notices you. “Are you a pilot?” they ask. “No,” you answer honestly.   This creates a buzz leading the pilots to vote for you to be an honorary pilot. “Today,” they explain, “we want you to land the plane. We care what you think about flying more than all we have learned.” Obviously you would be bewildered and decline.

                A few decades ago, this very thing happened in the church. Pastors across the country decided to ask non-believers and unchurched folks to tell them how to do church. “If you went to church, what would you want?” they asked. These “seeker-sensitive” churches changed their whole operation to accommodate and welcome outsiders. In principle, it sounded great. In practice, though, churches watered down the gospel to accommodate those who had little interest in church.

                Paul paints a different picture in Corinth. He encourages them to speak intelligible words about God. If unbelievers show up and catch believers adoring God and speaking the truth about him, the Holy Spirit will convict them and they will see that God is there. The best chance for people to become believers is for believers to love God out loud and live as believers. God is with us. Why would we ask unbelievers to tell us how to love him and worship?

Pray with me:

Father, help us to love you out loud when we gather for worship. Free us from the idea that we must water down our message to engage others. Let us be caught in adoration today. Help us to so love you that others see you in us and desire to know you too. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

This year we focus our Every Day with Jesus readings on Jesus’ story. With references to Tallowood's Read Through the Bible in 2018 daily reading plan, let's focus our undivided attention on Jesus and follow where he lead. He will not fail. Neither will we!
Joyfully,
Duane

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