- Mar 12, 2017
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The Decline of Numbers in the Church
These days there is a huge decline in numbers not only in our church, but in many churches world wide. Because of the Sunday morning competition, young people are choosing other activities besides church.
The enemy has made sure that there is lots of bad competition with church services, through laws and other things. So what can we do about that situation? One of his activities is “If so and so is going to be there , then I will not be there’, what a convenient excuse, or “I was up all night , I am too tired’..... straight from the enemy. What can we do as the body of Christ to bring back all of the people who have stopped coming to church?
Well one of the answers is Bring a Buddy To Church. We all have friends that would love to come to church with us , but we have to motivate them. Ask your friends if they want to come to church with you.
As I sat in church last Sunday I saw a great amount of worshippers there, but also a great amount of empty seats. That is a shame, and we can do something about it.
One of the biggest reasons for the decline in church is that God’s great Love Gift of Jesus Christ loving us so much has been either accepted or rejected, and that is a fact of life in the church.
Bring a Buddy to Church can be out new slogan, I have some Bible verses to go along with this one:
John 3:9-21
LOVE’S GREAT GIFT: RECEIVED OR REJECTED
Though physically on earth, our Lord was spiritually in touch with the heavenly realities. He was living among them and bore witness to them. Notice that must, Joh_3:14. He was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, and the divine purpose of redemption would fail unless He fulfilled His part in the eternal compact. That which had been resolved upon before the foundations of the hills were laid must be carried out in all its terrible detail. He must be accounted as a sin offering, and go forth as a scapegoat. He must tread the winepress alone, and pour out His soul unto death. Yet He was not rebellious, nor did He turn back. He rejoiced to do the Father’s will. For the joy that was set before Him, He endured the Cross.
Redemption originated in God’s great love. Notice the pairs in Joh_3:16 : God and the Son; loved and gave; the world and whosoever; believe and have; not perish but have life. The judgment is already in process, and the turning point with each who has known the gospel will be his attitude toward the light he has enjoyed. Evil men avoid the light, as an inflamed eye the sun. No true heart fears Christ, and on coming to Him it discovers that unconsciously it has been wrought upon by God.
We need to emphasize the following vrses in context every Sunday, they are so important and John 3:16 is often the only verse quoted, but there is lots more.
For God So Loved the World
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Joh 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Joh 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
John the Baptist Exalts Christ
Joh 3:22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
Joh 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
Joh 3:24 For John was not yet cast into prison.
Joh 3:25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
Joh 3:26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
Joh 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
Joh 3:28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
Joh 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
Joh 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Joh 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
Joh 3:32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
Joh 3:33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
Joh 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
Joh 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
One of the things I have noticed is that when we present the Gospel is that a lot of young people are disinterested. We need to present the Gospel in such a way that it becomes interesting to those that think it is boring. We need to bring the Gospel to life in the churches , whether it be your church or someone else’s church. Present it in such a way that it becomes interesting to the non-believer as well as the believer. That takes a lot of skill in wording , comments need to ask the listener questions that are relevant to scripture being presented. Don’t be afraid to make your Gospel presentation interactive, grab your congregation’s attention from the first sentence that you speak.
We have to make people aware of the fact that Jesus Christ died on the cross for even to an individual that we see as lowly, and too many times we judge others by appearance, Jesus ate with the lepers in those days, so we can have a little tolerance for those that for some reason we despise, as Jesus would despise no one, just the sin, so if we want to be like Him we have to follow His example, but we have to do it in a way that will not scare off those who are lost.
There are many ways that we can do this, one is to I have said above to integrate your congregation into your sermon, expect and encourage questions from the congregation, and as much as possible be like Jesus, this is not only hard to do BUT if you listen to His voice , He will tell you how to do it.
Above all when you are leading worship, remember that worship is not only Worship of Jesus Christ, but it is also prayer, spiritual warfare, an invitation for the Holy Spirit to fill the place of worship, and an invitation for Jesus Christ to heal the sick in your congregation. It is so important to remember that and to convey those thoughts with your congregation.
In conclusion I would like to ask you all to pray for your congregations, surely there is someone worse off than ourselves that we really need to pray for. Let Jesus Himself tell you who to pray for and don't be afraid to speak out what He tells you, I am not afraid to tell you all that this is what I am getting from Jesus right now, I am simply writing my thoughts down as He gives them to me. May the Lord Jesus Christ smile upon your face , and may your deepest needs be met. Amen
These days there is a huge decline in numbers not only in our church, but in many churches world wide. Because of the Sunday morning competition, young people are choosing other activities besides church.
The enemy has made sure that there is lots of bad competition with church services, through laws and other things. So what can we do about that situation? One of his activities is “If so and so is going to be there , then I will not be there’, what a convenient excuse, or “I was up all night , I am too tired’..... straight from the enemy. What can we do as the body of Christ to bring back all of the people who have stopped coming to church?
Well one of the answers is Bring a Buddy To Church. We all have friends that would love to come to church with us , but we have to motivate them. Ask your friends if they want to come to church with you.
As I sat in church last Sunday I saw a great amount of worshippers there, but also a great amount of empty seats. That is a shame, and we can do something about it.
One of the biggest reasons for the decline in church is that God’s great Love Gift of Jesus Christ loving us so much has been either accepted or rejected, and that is a fact of life in the church.
Bring a Buddy to Church can be out new slogan, I have some Bible verses to go along with this one:
John 3:9-21
LOVE’S GREAT GIFT: RECEIVED OR REJECTED
Though physically on earth, our Lord was spiritually in touch with the heavenly realities. He was living among them and bore witness to them. Notice that must, Joh_3:14. He was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, and the divine purpose of redemption would fail unless He fulfilled His part in the eternal compact. That which had been resolved upon before the foundations of the hills were laid must be carried out in all its terrible detail. He must be accounted as a sin offering, and go forth as a scapegoat. He must tread the winepress alone, and pour out His soul unto death. Yet He was not rebellious, nor did He turn back. He rejoiced to do the Father’s will. For the joy that was set before Him, He endured the Cross.
Redemption originated in God’s great love. Notice the pairs in Joh_3:16 : God and the Son; loved and gave; the world and whosoever; believe and have; not perish but have life. The judgment is already in process, and the turning point with each who has known the gospel will be his attitude toward the light he has enjoyed. Evil men avoid the light, as an inflamed eye the sun. No true heart fears Christ, and on coming to Him it discovers that unconsciously it has been wrought upon by God.
We need to emphasize the following vrses in context every Sunday, they are so important and John 3:16 is often the only verse quoted, but there is lots more.
For God So Loved the World
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Joh 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Joh 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
John the Baptist Exalts Christ
Joh 3:22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
Joh 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
Joh 3:24 For John was not yet cast into prison.
Joh 3:25 Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
Joh 3:26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
Joh 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
Joh 3:28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
Joh 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
Joh 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
Joh 3:31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
Joh 3:32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
Joh 3:33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
Joh 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
Joh 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
Joh 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
One of the things I have noticed is that when we present the Gospel is that a lot of young people are disinterested. We need to present the Gospel in such a way that it becomes interesting to those that think it is boring. We need to bring the Gospel to life in the churches , whether it be your church or someone else’s church. Present it in such a way that it becomes interesting to the non-believer as well as the believer. That takes a lot of skill in wording , comments need to ask the listener questions that are relevant to scripture being presented. Don’t be afraid to make your Gospel presentation interactive, grab your congregation’s attention from the first sentence that you speak.
We have to make people aware of the fact that Jesus Christ died on the cross for even to an individual that we see as lowly, and too many times we judge others by appearance, Jesus ate with the lepers in those days, so we can have a little tolerance for those that for some reason we despise, as Jesus would despise no one, just the sin, so if we want to be like Him we have to follow His example, but we have to do it in a way that will not scare off those who are lost.
There are many ways that we can do this, one is to I have said above to integrate your congregation into your sermon, expect and encourage questions from the congregation, and as much as possible be like Jesus, this is not only hard to do BUT if you listen to His voice , He will tell you how to do it.
Above all when you are leading worship, remember that worship is not only Worship of Jesus Christ, but it is also prayer, spiritual warfare, an invitation for the Holy Spirit to fill the place of worship, and an invitation for Jesus Christ to heal the sick in your congregation. It is so important to remember that and to convey those thoughts with your congregation.
In conclusion I would like to ask you all to pray for your congregations, surely there is someone worse off than ourselves that we really need to pray for. Let Jesus Himself tell you who to pray for and don't be afraid to speak out what He tells you, I am not afraid to tell you all that this is what I am getting from Jesus right now, I am simply writing my thoughts down as He gives them to me. May the Lord Jesus Christ smile upon your face , and may your deepest needs be met. Amen
