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PASTOR'S BLOG

Discovering Spiritual Truths & Celebrating God's Grace in the Every Day Happenings of Life.

What a Gift!

8/31/2022

1 Comment

 
Picture
During our final Wednesday evening “I Am a Church Member” conversation, we talked about two great topics. The first was the role we have to unite our own families in love and activity for the church. Yet for today, I will only focus on the second topic—the “gift” of being a church member.  Have you ever thought about that before?  Whether it be here at King of Kings or other congregations of the past, have you ever considered being a member of a local church as a GIFT—something to be treasured?  Too many times, we see participation in the church as just one more thing to do, one more organization to be a part of.  Far too many nominal believers are at content by keeping their name on a church membership role, thinking that by doing this, they do right by God and appease their conscience. They rarely show up. They seldom volunteer. Investment in the congregation is not something they have interest in or make time for. God wants more for us than that!  There is something unique and special about what takes place within the walls of a church’s sanctuary.  After all, the church is really the only place where the scriptures are extended and God’s grace is personally given.  It is the only place where the teachings and sacrificial work of Jesus predominate all other things. Throughout the Bible, we see verse after verse that speaks of the gift of salvation, the gift of Christ’s work for us, and the truth that we cannot earn salvation or peace on our own. And finally, the gift of becoming a part of the body of Christ… the church.  The message you hear from the pews within a church is not like anything else you’ll hear on TV or radio. The church is where God unequivocally and uniquely delivers these Gospel gifts to you.
 
Church membership is a gift. A gift must be treasured. It should not be taken for granted or considered lightly. Because it is a gift, we live a thankful life for it. We celebrate it. We embrace it. We use it. How?  We do this, not by sending thank you notes, but by living and engaging in the life of the congregation, and by sharing the joy of this gift with others.  As we are a week away from the official “back-to-school” start of fall, it is my hope that you will come back to church and celebrate the gift of our church together!
 
“Church participation is as vital to a disciple as a transfusion of rich, healthy blood to a sick man.” (Dwight L. Moody)
“A church that looks and sounds just like the world, has nothing to offer the world.” (John MacArthur)

1 Comment
Peter Maxwell
9/18/2022 09:20:39 pm

Let's pray for our churches and ministries in appreciation of the amazing work they do in their missions. Even though it is disheartening to learn that many people are abandoning the church, I can appreciate the amazing job that organizations like this and https://lhhouston.church/sermons/ are doing to use technology to make God's word widely accessible online. Have you ever heard a sermon online? The fact that the Bible is so easily available online is fantastic.

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    Author

    Pastor Steve Vera
    at King of Kings
    Lutheran Church
    ​in Mountain Lakes, NJ

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  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • CONTACT US
    • MEMBERSHIP INFO
    • MISSION & BELIEFS
    • PASTOR STEVE VERA
    • MEET OUR CONGREGATION
  • WORSHIP SERVICES
  • SERMONS
  • PASTOR'S BLOG
  • PRESCHOOL
    • PLAYGROUND PICTURES
  • MINISTRIES
    • The MOM CO
    • DIVORCE CARE
    • CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
    • MISSIONARIES
    • FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS
    • PRAYER REQUESTS
  • GIVE
    • GIVE HELP
  • EVENTS
    • Live Nativity 2024
    • Live Nativity 2023
    • Live Nativity (past photos)