Do you know what the fastest
growing religion was in the US in 2012? It wasn’t Christianity. According to this
article, Islam is the fastest growing
religion in America. How much did the church of Christ grow in 2012 you may
ask? According to the Christian
Chronicle, the church of Christ is
declining, with approximately 102,000 fewer people than 2003. Why is it on the
decline? We’ve quit growing because we’ve quit working!
What
are you doing right now in service of our Lord? Are you working and serving
everyday or are you just professing to love the Lord? The phrase “faith without
works” occurs in the book of James three times. Now, in this writer’s opinion,
if our Lord took the time to mention something once it is important, but if he
mentioned THREE TIMES I really sit up and take notice because this is obviously
something that is extremely important. Obviously it is easy to have faith and
proclaim to love the Lord, but do you actions show that love? James tells us
they must.
To
make a list of everything we can do in service of our Lord is beyond my realm
of capability, so I will name just three.
1. Attend!
Be supportive by attending worship services and activities of your local
congregation. We are not to forsake the assembly (Heb.
10:24-25). You
may not always feel like going, but when you spend time with your spiritual
family, you will be uplifted and encouraged. If you are feeling down, remember
that others cannot read your mind so ask for their prayers and encouragement.
2. Exhort
and encourage! Point number one mentioned, that there may be those among us who
need our encouragement (Jude
1:3; Acts 14:21).
Recognize their need and uplift them (Heb.
10:25). Pray for them!
Obviously, this requires a closeness to one another. It requires us to know
what is going on in the lives of our brothers and sisters, so don’t be afraid
to share your struggles and accomplishments, but be sure to encourage others to
do the same.
§ Send
a card to the sick and widowed each month to let them know they are thought of.
§ Visit
those who must remain at home and take a basket of goodies to them. Need frugal
basket ideas? Check out my Pinterest board here.
§ Prepare
and take food to those who have recently lost a loved one or have a new baby (also
remember those who adopt or are foster parents-they need help too!)
3. Teach!
This is nonnegotiable (Mark
16:15). We should desire to
tell EVERY. SINGLE. PERSON. we come in contact with about the one who can save them-the
one who died for them. We need to train our minds to carry this out. How long
has it been since you had a personal Bible study with someone? I know what
you’re thinking…”No one is interested in hearing about the Savior.” You’re
wrong.
§ Place
your name & phone
number or email in an informational tract. Leave them on the table when you go
out to eat, in the waiting room of doctor, dentist &
vet offices. Mail them out with the bills
you pay. Hand one to the boy who helps you carry out your groceries. Give them
to the air conditioner repairman and the pest control inspector when they visit
your home.
God
told us to sow the seed. Interested souls may be harder to find, but they are
out there. We just need a refresher course on finding them.
“Evangelism
is not a talent; it’s a command.”
-Steve
Higginbotham