We sit in church (many of us) week after week, month after month and year after year listening to message after message. It occurred to me, after a group of us gathered, following one service that I listened to a conversation that ripped apart the message and the speaker. I wondered what are we getting out these meetings?
Had anyone heard the many wonderful God glorifying things the speaker had said? Had anyone heard the many encouragements to walk in faith believing in the Lord? I had to ask myself, what do I go to church expecting to come away with?
I have seen some come looking to network socially, politically, and relationally, but cannot recall anyone saying that I am going because the Lord will be there and maybe he has something special I need to hear. How often do you ask yourself why you went to church and was there something moving that you heard that will impact your perspective on your tomorrow’s?
I have decided from now on that I will pray for a blessing from each message, no matter how small or great. I will pray that the Lord will not allow me to walk out without knowing something more about him or myself and a new or better way to live for my God and my King. I will pray that I am given discernment concerning the message and that I may dwell on the parts that edify and ignore the controversy. I will take note of my presupposition and consider its impact on the message.
Be ye hearers and doers of the word.
by Delilah (Guest Post)
picture by micky mb
Send guest post submissions to: inimnez@aol.com
rogertharpe.wordpress.com 
Here in Nigeria, I see a lot of what you describe in this post.
A lot of people go to church for reasons other than hearing from God. Some want to be ‘thrilled’ by the antics of the preacher, some others make it seem as though the wisdom is from the preacher and not from God. I hear commonly of how ‘great’ so and so preacher is, “let’s visit his church or his crusade to go hear him!” And I wonder, who is the star? God or man? I’m glad that people like you have opened their hearts to God’s touch and realised that there is a personal message each time we hear the Word, it’s up to us to humbly receive it or get carried away by other unimportant things. It’s an encouragement to me, not to lose focus on the real star, the true light, Jesus.
Grace and blessing to you.
What an awesome reflection!
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star (Revelations 22:16).
Reblogged this on Not Just Another Cool Story.
Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) But this still appears foreign to many Christians. This is the main reason the Church is not experiencing true spiritual revival. You have made a wise decision to pray for discernment concerning each message and to dwell on the parts that edify and ignore the controversy.
I am reminded of the story of Daniel, who prayed and fasted and the angel was coming with the message the moment he set his heart to pray, but the spiritual warfare delayed his coming. We often forget the warfare that requires persistence prayer and obedience for victory.
It’s true people attend church for a myriad of reasons and go away with disappointments. But then again, they followed Jesus with much the same attitude, looking for physical gratification rather than the spiritual light He came to give. Let us not be part of that crowd, but be true followers of Christ, seeking to hear His voice in all the ways He offers it.
Yes! Let us be part of the crowd that follows Christ. Let us be part of the crowd that reaches a hand to grab those cooling into the fire of the Lord.
We really should be “wowed” by the simplest preaching of the gospel, requiring no hype or hoopla or light shows. I go to church because I know that through the week I tend to loose perspective, and thankfully my pastor preaches the solid truth of the message of the gospel.
Through persistence in prayer before church we will hedge against complacency.
So true. It might sound boring (to some), but reading the Word of God and praying changes our hearts and keeps us seeing things clearly.
Um sorry, “lose perspective” ….. my eyes are tired……
You’ve made a great decision:)
Yes! The author has.
Reblogged this on one truth one God and commented:
Many times God’s wisdom comes to us from the thoughts of His people. This post by Roger Tharpe talked to my heart, and I hope it will talk to yours as well. God bless you!
I hope that you find inspiration and love enveloped in my pages! – B
I enjoyed reading this. Look forward to reading more.
Yes, It’s a relatable message. Not to divert that wonderful message, but I just heard a pastor talking about all the “expectations” (desires or reasons) people can come to church, only to be disappointed at a point. (I know it’s not the same thing) Sometimes we are wise to examine expectations too is all I’m suggesting. I know I’ve left a church as it wasn’t meeting certain needs — not expectations — and it was a tough choice. But I’ve stayed when things weren’t quite all they should be too. God must lead the heart..
Much about God’s Sacred Assembly remains a mystery to me. Yes, my experience has led me to expect to be edified, to be inspired, to feel the love of fellowship; but, I cannot remember a time when I did not feel glad that I made the sacrifice of praise. I may be a lousy singer and I often clap on the back beat when everyone else is on the main beat; but I can still make a joyful noise unto The Lord. I know he hears my heart.