WHAT HAPPENS IN -----
Sometimes you just need time
off. That was the point I was at but it
is time to start my blog again. You see,
last Sunday ……
Last Sunday I delivered the
message and as I walked down the aisle, there sat a man who is in water
aerobics with me. I looked at him and
said, “Don’t worry. What happens at the
pool, stays at the pool.” Then I smiled
and continued on with the message.
But, that comment got me to
thinking. Thoughts bounced around in my
head about how often we hear that comment.
Where do you see the slogan: What Happens here, Stays here?
- Vermont
- Family
Reunions
- The Man
Cave
- The
Garage
- The
Ranch
- Camp
Grandpa
We hear this and grin. But do we carry this too far?
Do we use that slogan in our
Christian life? Do we apply that slogan
to our church? What would happen IF we
applied that slogan to our faith and our church?
BUT -- What would happen if we
turned that phrase around?
WHAT HAPPENS HERE,
DOES NOT STAY HERE
So the word of God spread. The number
of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests
became obedient to the faith. Acts 6:7
But the word of God continued to spread and flourish. Acts 12:24
In this way the word of the Lord spread
widely and grew in power. Acts 19:20
In the same way, let your light
shine before others, that they
may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
If what happens as we grow in
faith and if what happens in our churches stays hidden, the Word of God will
not spread and flourish and grow in power.
Priests will not become obedient to the faith. No one will see the good deeds Christians do
and the Father will not receive the Glory.
If what happens as we grow in
faith and if what happens in our churches stays hidden, many will not receive
the daily blessings of comfort, strength, grace, mercy, hope, forgiveness, or
the gift of eternal life.
So which slogan should we use?
- What happens
here, stays here
- What happens
here, does not stay here
2 comments:
Years ago we attended a church where I really enjoyed the minister's sermons. However, there was something about that church with which I did not feel comfortable. Then it finally dawned on me that they only wanted to be church members on Sunday and only do things for the church itself. When they replaced the pastor, the new pastor was even more, "do things for me" kind of person at which time we knew it was time to change. I attended a Methodist church and was so grateful because the last thing that was said was "go out and do good the rest of the week". They probably worded it a little differently, but their attitude was so totally different from the other church we had attended. Yes, we need to care for those in our church family, but we need to care for all others as well. And we need to be Christians 7 days a week, not just on Sunday! Loved your message last week.
Thank you so much for the kind words. I did have fun last Sunday. So excited that the congregation "got it" and jumped right in.
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