Christ-optional, cultural Christianity is becoming a popular option in America.

Missionary Charles Studd once wrote, “Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell;

I want to run a rescue shop, within a yard of hell.”

But in America, as the total number of churches and Christians shrink, the remaining churches become larger and more remote from the areas of need.

I recently came across an article that listed five important factors in choosing a church. The list contained two I statements and three my statements. In other words, find a church that caters to your needs.

At the same time there is a growing number of folks that wonder if church membership is a necessary part of the Christian life. Some folks have decided that they are through with church. They have been labeled as “Dones” (done with church) by folks who track such things.

A growing problem in the American church is the idea that God exists for our sake. Perhaps it started with the easy believerism of “God has a wonderful plan for your life.”

This is a far cry from the words of Jesus, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

The first five books of the Bible go to great lengths to describe the holiness of God and what it means to be His people. Peter summarizes it this way, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

To be a follower of Jesus is to a part of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27) the church, which is expressed in local gatherings, large and small. The best expression of this is seen in Acts 2:42-47, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

When looking for a church the best questions to ask are:

1. Did you feel the presence of God?
2. If this church were to disappear today would the community notice?
3. Can you fulfill your God-given calling here?

The church in America is shrinking in numbers and influence. Is it because many of our churches no longer reflect the ethics of Jesus?

Are you willing to die for Jesus?

Will you go to jail? Will you lose your job? What would it take for you to put you faith on the back burner?

Every month

• 322 Christians are killed for their faith.
• 214 churches and Christian properties are destroyed.
• 772 acts of violence are committed against Christians
• 75% of the world’s population lives in areas with severe religious restrictions
• Christians in more than 60 countries face persecution.
  (Source: Open Doors)

In the wake of the murders of 26 worshipers at Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church, church leaders are attending security conferences and hiring armed guards. Church members are wondering if it safe to attend church. Is it worth risking your family's life?

Christians in America are not accustomed to paying a price for their faith. In fact, many will allow a long list of things to prevent them from attending church on Sunday. Perhaps, the martyrdom of 26 worshipers can help each of us to clarify our relationship with Christ.

The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Philippian church from a Roman jail, in which he made 16 references to joy. He told the faithful that his imprisonment was helping to spread the gospel. Facing possible execution he proclaimed, “to live is Christ, to die is gain (Philippians 1:21).”

He further encouraged them saying, “I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you (Philippians 1:27-28).”

How real is your faith?

Doing Your Own Thing

“In those days there was no king in Israel,

but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”

Judges 17:6

The generation that followed Joshua did not set out to do evil. They did not think they were doing wrong. Rather, “they did what was right in their own eyes.”

That's the problem with sin; the sinner feels justified. Like the people in the book of Judges, they compromise with the world around them. They create their own religion keeping what they like about Christianity, dumping what they don't, and adding elements that feel right.

Part of the problem is second-generation syndrome. “After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.” Judges 2:10

Previous generations did the hard work. Moses' generation endured the slavery in Egypt. They saw the Red Sea part and Pharaoh's army drown. They enjoyed God's provision in the wilderness.

Joshua's generation conquered the land. They saw the walls of Jericho collapse. They saw their enemies fall before them. They took the land, city by city, mountain by mountain.

On the other hand, the Judges generation entered into rest and comfort provided by their ancestors. Joshua told them, “I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities you did not build; and you live in them and eat from vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant.” Joshua 24:13

He admonished them further, “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14

The people said Amen but failed to honor a God they did not know. They married outside the faith and failed to take down the pagan altars. They kept the holy days and cultural artifacts of the faith but not the faith itself.

You cannot inherit faith from your parents. Each of us is called to account. Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except by me.” John 14:6

It is easy for those who have grown around the faith to fake it. They talk about being blessed and pray for things they want. They may, even, attend worship with some regularity but their walk is inconsistent. Like the Israelites in Judges they sin, feel sorry for awhile, then sin again.

There is good news: “To all who did receive [Jesus], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12

Second Chances

Mark 14:66-72

Following Jesus is a decision to be made today and everyday, not a historical event from your past. You are either drawing closer to him or you are pulling away. If you drift far enough away, you can suddenly find yourself denying him, even if it was never your intent to do so.

The Apostle Peter had been following Jesus closely but, now that Jesus has been arrested, he keeps his distance; staying close to the enemy's fire. Not wanting to be identified as a follower of Christ, he hangs out where there are no disciples and tries to fit in with the crowd.

Peter's spiritual collapse reached a peak with his appalling three denials of Jesus. However, his failure wasn't final. God’s love is not dependent on our performance or success. After Jesus' resurrection, he seeks out Peter and asks him three times, “Do you love me?” (John 21:15-19)

Jesus provided Peter with an opportunity to reaffirm his loyalty and commitment to him. We want to condemn Peter but Jesus gives him another chance. Peter is a changed man. He soon preaches a powerful sermon and 3000 souls are saved.

He no longer hides his faith from the authorities. Instead, he tells them, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20)

No matter how you have failed; no matter what sin you have allowed into your life, the Savior who died for you still loves you. Maybe you feel that, because of something you have done or experienced, you are counted out. Listen to the voice of Jesus who asking, “Do you love me?”

Yet to all who did receive him,

to those who believed in his name,

he gave the right to become children of God.

John 1:12