Prayer Week 4: Church

Dave shared his story with us this week. Dave made 2 statements that stood out to me. First, he stated that salvation did not take his pain away, but it gave him a foundation and someone to turn to other than himself. I think this statement is so profound because people often think that salvation will solve all of their problems. While salvation does not mean that you have an easy life with no burdens, salvation does give you a foundation to build your life upon, and it gives you a Savior to turn to no matter what the circumstances.

Dave also stressed the importance of having a Christian mentor to help him after he was saved. I think that the church is often so busy trying to make sure that people “get saved” that they often forget that salvation and a walk with Christ is a journey, not a destination. I point these statements out to you so that you can remember that while evangelism is important, discipleship is also crucial.

Dave’s talk also tied in well with the message which was about the role the church is to play in “fishing”. In the message, the point was made that often church tends to be a barrier to fishing instead of acting as a partner.

One of the main points of the message was that the church needs to work to create an environment so that it can be in a partnership with believers that are attempting to be “fishers of men”. Matthew 18:19-20 states:

Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

According to this scripture, when we gather together as a group of believers, and we are truly together to further God’s plan, not our own agenda, God will be present. As the message stated, churches should be a place that lives out the “come and see principle”. Basically, our church should be so irresistible, that if we just ask someone to come, they will be drawn to our church because they will know that God is in our church.
We each need to prayerfully consider the following:

1. Is our church a place that is so irresistible that people are drawn to it because they feel the presence of God when they are there?
2. If our church is not, what can you do to make our church that irresistible place? Do you need to set aside your own agenda and come to church committed to God’s greater purpose? Do you have a spiritual gift that you are not using that could further a ministry? Do you know of a person that needs a spiritual mentor that you can help?

This week, ask God to show you how you can make our church an irresistible place.
Remember, you can also read the prayer email update at http://bethleann.blogspot.com/

Also, as an outreach, the Refinery will be collecting eye glasses to donate to the Lion’s Club. Please bring your glasses to church and we will deliver them