It is a legitimate question, “Why do I need the church?” If I’m a Christian, I’ve repented of my sin, I’ve turned to Christ, I’m saved – why do I need to be part of one of those thousands of fragmented little groups called churches? “I feel close to God when I’m at the lake. I worship in my own way. I don’t need the church.” I understand that sentiment. I’m the first to acknowledge the church is less than perfect, often frustrating and too often a poor example. But you do need the church. Let me give you the short answer as to why you need the church. You need the church because the local church is a visible, tangible, real-world expression of the body of Christ.

You are part of a body. You cannot live the Christian life in isolation. It is not a solo act you are part of a group. A group of imperfect people stumbling towards holiness and growing in grace. That’s another reason you need the church, because sanctification is a community project. We need each other to learn what it means to love and forgive. You also need the church to worship appropriately.

One last thing – not only do you need the church, the church needs you! We need your gifts, your talents, your insights…we need you. When you neglect your attendance it not just your life that is affected it harms all of us. We are robbed of what you have to give. We are deprived of God’s work through you. We are spiritually impoverished by your neglect. So please don’t forsake our gathering together. If not for your sake for ours. If not for ours for the glory of Christ. Perhaps the church is more important than you thought.

I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod

Calvin Miller, in his book “The Philippian Fragment,” takes a humorous and yet penetrating look at life within the church. The premises of the book is that a fragment of an ancient second-century writing has been recently unearthed. The fragment contains letters from Eusebius, the newly appointed bishop of Philippi to Clement the pastor of Coos. Eusebius tells of his struggles with influential members of the church who desires to be “crowned” as deacons. He speaks of leaders who are far more interested in status, power and influence than in sacrifice and service. No one is willing to serve at the leper colony but all want to “hold office” in the church.

The book is humorous and painful as it forces one to look in the mirror of church life. It is a not so subtle reminder that the church is composed of sinners who are stumbling towards perfection. True greatness and stature in the Kingdom of God is achieved through sacrificial service not through popularity or charisma.

Jesus, himself, is our great example as he chose the way of the cross. He chose it in eternity past as he agreed to the Father’s plan. He chose it against in the incarnation. His choice was reaffirmed in the wilderness temptation. He declared it again at the institution of the Lord’s Supper and in the Garden of Gethsemane. Finally his choice was openly displayed in the agony of Calvary. The call of the Christian life is a call to follow him. There is no great test in following him in triumphal procession. The real test is found on the road to suffering.

In his kingdom the way up is down. The path to greatness is through humility and sacrifice. That seems so foreign. You think maybe that’s why Isaiah says, “His ways are not our ways; his thoughts are not our thoughts?” That is why I must pray daily that the Father will renew my mind – that I might think his thoughts. I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod

This message by Rev. Bob Post was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, June 6, 2010.

This message by Rev. Bob Post was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, June 6, 2010.

This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, June 13, 2010.

Sunday is Fathers Day. It is a day for remembering and giving thanks for our dads. I’m grateful that when I look back at my childhood, I have ample reason to be thankful. Yes, I was spoiled. I had everything I needed and most of what I wanted. We took great vacations and we visited all those places kids want to go. We certainly were not wealthy but we had it better than a lot of kids I knew. But the true gift my father gave me was not something money could buy. He taught me loving devotion.

I saw it when he worked late hours after going in early so he could drive 2.5 hours one way to watch a ball game my brother was playing in. I saw it when I turned from my seat on the bench during my game and I could see in his face my game was just as important as the one my brother stared in. I witnessed it every third Sunday night of the month when I stood to preach at the Meridian Avenue Baptist Church in Oklahoma City and there he was, Bible in hand, waiting for me to open the Word of God.

I saw it every time his eyes lit up at the sight of my children. I witnessed it every time he “happened by the house” and asked if anyone wanted to, “go see a man about a dog?” My kids piled in his car and they were off to Braum’s. I close my eyes and I see his smile and I hear his laugh. And I think, “Thank you Pappy for teaching me that while it is important to provide for your family – life is far more than food, shelter and clothing. While it is important to see that your children are educated – life lessons are taught by example. They are lessons absorbed through time spent together. Thank you for teaching me to laugh and to love. Thank you for teaching me the value of simple things. Thanks for teaching me how to be a dad.”

Happy Fathers Day. I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod

An exposition of Psalm 114:1-8, delivered by Pastor Rod Harris at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, June 27, 2010.

An exposition of Psalm 42:1-11, delivered by Pastor Rod Harris at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, June 27, 2010.