Stop Going To Church! -Ep261 -Run With Horses Podcast

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Today we are looking at some reasons why people don’t go to church. And can I start by saying that this is part of the problem. We “go” to church, something that was impossible in the NT.

Welcome to Run With Horses. My name is Norman and my goal is to help you Thrive as a disciple of Jesus. God is working to grow you into the image of Christ and HE will complete that work. What a joy to know that it all doesn’t depend on us!

Let’s go to church! Ok, we already have a problem. . .
Church is not a place. The church is a group of people called out by God, gloriously saved by His Son and united through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. You cannot GO to church.
If you are genuinely saved by Faith through Grace you can choose not to use your Spirit given gifts to strengthen and build up the Family of God, the Bride of Jesus, His glorious Church. Avoiding time with God’s family will keep you from serving His Church. Let’s call that what it is, disobedience. But you cannot GO to church.

The church is not a building that can be taken away or a service that can be scheduled. The church can meet in a building or under a tree. The church can meet in a large group with thousands or in a coffee shop with three. But you cannot GO to church. And if that is what you have been doing, you are part of the problem. Because if you can go to church, you can NOT GO to church.

If your life, your family, your community and yes, even your church, are to change, we have to stop going to church and start BEING the church. Every day in every house, on every street, in every town, in every nation. We ARE the Church of the True and Living God.

So why don’t people go to church?

Reference - https://churchhelper.net/why-people-dont-go-to-church/

1. They deem the church irrelevant.
The church is a group of people who are bought and paid for with the blood of Jesus. As such, He has placed us into His family. The church is instantly relevant if you understand the mission of Jesus in the world.
Sermons that are theology without application. Although some can take a sermon and run with it, most people need or at least will benefit from discussions about the passage/ topic that allows them to see how it works out in their life.
2. They cite the hypocrisy and moral failures of church leaders.
This is straight up bad news. It points to the need to emphasize character as we train and prepare leaders in the church.
Dealing with sin in the lives of leaders. Confession, repentance, humility.
Side rant. We cannot allow the training and preparation of pastors and church leaders to be left to bible colleges and seminaries. They are great supplements to churches discipling and preparing leaders but they cannot replace the churches role.
3. They feel God is missing in the church.
Spectator churches can easily be focused on the audience and felt needs, not God. God IS and that matters. He is Holy and that matters. The church has to be focused on God. When we are, it changes us.
Biblical doctrine matters. We need to see God in His Word. Hearts prepared to follow Him are hearts prepared to worship Him. If God is missing in your life the rest of the week, God will likely be missing in your time with His Family or at least, you won’t see Him.
4. They feel that legitimate doubt is prohibited.
God is big enough to handle our questions. The pastors pride might not be.
Spurgeon - “Suppose a number of persons were to take it into their heads that they had to defend a lion, full-grown king of beasts! There he is in the cage, and here come all the soldiers of the army to fight for him. Well, I should suggest to them, if they would not object, and feel that it was humbling to them, that they should kindly stand back, and open the door, and let the lion out! I believe that would be the best way of defending him, for he would take care of himself; and the best 'apology' for the gospel is to let the gospel out.”
As the church we need to be inviting people to ask questions. God can handle it. You don’t need to answer everyone’s questions, point them to the Word and encourage them to ask God for answers to their doubts. He is amazingly good at it.
5. They don’t learn about God or Jesus.
I don’t know what church this is true in but it is shameful if it is true!
6. They don’t gain any significant or new insights about faith.
There is a need to be growing and making efforts yourself. Pursue Christ.
1 Timothy 6:11-12 - 11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Practical obedience is part of our growth. Without it we will stop learning. Our spiritual life is more than head knowledge, we have to live it or we will struggle in our faith.
7. They have trouble finding a community.
If you don’t find community, you build it.
There are others who want that unity that the NT talks about and are willing to fihgt for it. Look for them and build a small community.

Thanks for joining me today. If you have thoughts or questions about your spiritual life, write me at norman@runwithhorses.net I would love to hear from you.