I saw an article in a newspaper the other day that said: “Most of us are too busy to better ourselves.” Then came the sales pitch for the book: The Lazy Person’s Guide to Self-Improvement. Most people do not like change. Most are comfortable with their life-style and where they are in their life time. But today there is a movement for quick fixes: “The 10-Minute Millionaire; The 5 Minute Healer, 10 Minutes to Better Health.” The list can go on and on. People like the short time table because, as most say, “I just don’t have time!” I think of that when people say they just don’t have time to attend church. Some denominations have gone to having an early Saturday evening service in order to accommodate those who assume that one hour per week for service will please God. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” [Hebrews 10:24-25] Paul, speaking to the Corinth church concerning the day they assemble, a day churches have been assembling for years, Sunday; “Upon the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gathering when I come.” [1 Corinthians 16:2] Why do people seek another day to fulfill their obligation to God? It’s usually for their own convenience. Many home Bible studies have been invented to help people feel they have kept their commitment to God. I attended a home Bible study once because it did not interfere with our church services. I soon found out they wanted to replace church with the home Bible study. Have you ever been invited to a study which would take you out of your church? Oh, they would say we are worshipping God, yet I just quoted a verse about not to forsaking the assembling of ourselves together in church. Sorry, but home is not church. It is easier to get people to come to a Bible study that does not take place in a church. You know we live in the modern world where everything is on-line and we can even pick what type of sermon we want to hear! But God has always worked with the called out assembly, which is called a church in the New Testament. Remember our teaching on the local church? This is where we are to bring our tithe. Man’s positive teachings may sound good but they are not, “Thus saith the Lord”. Some may emphasize their religious feelings, but I have heard that trying to have religious feelings can often end up making people feel less content with their lives. I heard one saying that it was, “quite trying to be happy.” When your efforts are to seek happiness it can actually make you feel more unhappy. If you ask people how much time should be the length of a good sermon, most would respond, “about twenty minutes!” Yes everyone likes the quick fix: whether it is 5, 10, or 15 minutes. But think of it this way, in eternity how long will our services be in heaven? How much singing will take place? Will we get to pick our favorite song? Which preacher will we be able to listen to? Of course these thoughts are pretty silly since we will only be hearing from the Lord. Oh no that sounds too much like going to church and hearing the preacher read the Bible. The words happy and joy are mentioned in the Bible: “Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he the hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.” [Proverbs 28:14] “Thou will shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” [Psalm 16:11] Time spent serving the Lord here will bring eternal blessings in glory.
Rev. Gregory A. Albright, Pastor
