Recognising an Unfruitful Gathering
Your place of worship is swarmed with beautifully dressed and high-achieving people. The parking lot of this magnificent building is filled to capacity every Sunday, with folks buzzing as they park their eye-catching cars. Not a problem! Afterall, the Bible says those who diligently seek the Lord will lack no good thing (Psalms 34:10).
Here is where things may get dangerous: The Pastor hardly teaches from the Bible. Nothing is mentioned about the urgent need to completely surrender to Christ, the importance of repentance, righteous living, the reality of Heaven and hell, and the second coming of Christ. Sermons are rather centred on Prosperity - emphasis is on gaining financial wealth and possessions, living your best life, pursuing mutually beneficial relationships, and more. The place is as lukewarm as a poorly served cup of tea on a cold winter night - you have no accountability whatsoever for your flaws, as they are overlooked. You just seem to be floating through life.
If this has been a comfortable place for you, then you have gained nothing, beloved! First, you cannot serve both God and mammon (Matthew 6:24). Then, you run the risk of losing your soul ultimately if you choose to serve mammon (Mark 8:36-37). Further, Christ wants nothing to do with a believer who is spiritually lukewarm (Revelation 3:14-17). If you value your life very much and want to be assured of eternal bliss, you should get to the point where you are grabbing your things and getting up to leave such a gathering.
You only need to pay attention to events around the world to know that fame, material wealth, and other worldly possessions without Christ do not go far. Consider them Prosperity without Peace - only to be enjoyed for a short period, or never. True prosperity flows from the presence of God in your life, as you deepen your relationship with Him. When you have Him, you have it all. All good and perfect gifts come from Him, through Jesus Christ His Son (James 1:17, Proverbs 10:22, 1 Corinthians 8:6).
Stay focused on seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, beloved. All other things shall then be added unto you (Matthew 6:33).
Shalom!
Comments