Church Pew
As a young child I remember sitting on the wooden church pew of the local baptist church down the road from where we lived. Once per week. Each Sunday morning. Vaguely, I remember Sunday school classes before we gathered for preaching in the main sanctuary.
I remember not one song we sang. Not one message delivered. Not one altar call. Not one notable event. I do, however, remember the distinct feeling of that hard wooden church pew for what felt like forever as we waited for service to end. We sat in the upper section of the church where we could see all things happening below in everyone else’s pew. Interesting at times. Boring others. From a kid’s perspective.
I’m not suggesting there were no messages worthy of remembering, I just do not recollect them. I remember the sound of the creak of the pew every time you shifted. The looks on the faces of those below. They probably wondered why we were so disrespectful or at least couldn’t figure out how to sit still.
We sat with a family who lived, frankly, quite different lives outside of church. When they walked through the doors they seemed to be a normal loving family. Their kids attended a private Christian school of the same faith. They were far from well to-do but clearly ate and seemingly had the basics in life. The story outside of church was full of sadness as the closet secrets haunted their home. Tragic.
Was it because they were Baptist?? No. The fact that it was a baptist church really is irrelevant. It just was. They were not. Am I Baptist? No. That matters none for the purpose of this share. Don’t get caught up in that 😉.
You see, the wooden church pew, alone, will NEVER save you. Even if it’s padded. The messages delivered, the songs that are sung, and regular attendance. Oh, those are all good things. They matter. They just do not matter alone. You can sit on a creaky wooden church pew every single week of your life listening to message after message but IF you do not take that message home with you and clean your closet of sin, you’ll have sat for naught.
Folks, where you attend, matters.
Truth from the pulpit, matters.
What you do with what you hear while you attend matters.
Messages that are filled with truth even if it hurts your feelings sometimes, matters.
Songs that are sung TO Jesus not for your entertainment, matters. Don’t go for the concert. Those are fun, they just don’t usher you into praise and worship as His Presence fills the place.
Truth, from the pulpit, matters.
A free flowing move of the mighty precious Spirit of your loving Abba Father, matters.
Messages that deliver biblical truth even if it hurts your feelings, matters. Actually, I’d go as far to say, is the message NEVER pushes a button or hits close to home, it’s likely watered down and NOT truth.
Again, truth, matters. Not sure this can be said enough. 👊🏻
Baptism in Jesus Name, as described in the book of Acts, chapter 2, matters.
Church, inside the church building, collectively gathered in one mind and one accord, matters. Neglecting yourself from gathering as a body is dangerous, for your soul.
Unfortunately, technology has created this environment of lazy. You don’t need to be uncomfortable on some wooden church pew. As a matter of fact, you don’t even have to get out of your pajamas and the comfort of your home. You can consider yourself a member via the internet. Maybe you can attend twice a month. Check the box. I’m wondering if they put up a drive through confessional, how many would line up. Would they be efficient like Chick-Fil-A?!?!!! 🙄
Folks, the adversary of your soul would have you believe, that warming some pew, participating online, doing nothing with the message, and getting a 20 minute word of encouragement that NEVER feeds you, is enough. PSA: getting spiritual is NOT following Jesus. You’ll hear those fateful words, Depart from me, I knew you not AS YOU WONDER HOW THAT HAPPENED. 👈🏻That. Is. The. Goal. Of. Your. Adversary. 👈🏻 Read. That. Again.
Eternity, folks, is a long time to get it wrong.
Get faithful in your truth speaking spirit filled home church. Your soul, literally, depends on it. 🔥
