A Note from Michael Gossett
“Consider the Church”
One of the greatest questions that I get to ask church members who have been here for a long time is, “What brought you to Green Acres?” I love hearing the answers because every answer tells a story about the different reasons the Lord led them to Green Acres. But most of the answers involve the statement, “someone invited me.” What is your story about how you came to Green Acres? I would love to hear it…. In fact, you can email me at pastor@gabc.org and I would love to hear your answer! It is easy to think of why you came to Green Acres, but why do you stay? You may be thinking that this is some trick to keep you from moving your membership or trying to talk you into staying. The question of why you came may no longer be an adequate answer for why you stay. Why would we even begin to peel this onion? The answer is easy: If you know why you are staying, you will understand why you are committed. This is what we should all consider as we think about Christ calling each of us.
The past couple of weeks, we have addressed several important topics. We have considered discipleship, the importance of God’s call to you individually as well as your call within the Body of Christ. Over the next several weeks, I want to dive into various topics related directly to the church. Let’s start with a personal question for you. “What are you looking for in a church?” Take time to contemplate that question. What each of us is looking for in a church is what makes it an ideal church to us. The question is, “Does an ideal church really exist?” One person will say, “I would like to have a strong worship ministry that sings hymns only.” While another person may think, “I would like to have a strong worship ministry that is always on the cutting edge and isn’t boring.” Someone else may say, “I would like to have a preacher who is funny.” Or, “I would like to have a preacher who is deep theologically.” One person says, “I would like to have a thriving kids ministry that is always fun.” Or, “I would like to have a kid’s ministry that is committed to discipleship and is safe.” A chorus of different voices says, “I would like to have a special needs ministry. I would like to have small groups. I would like to have Sunday School. I would like to have a deacon led church. I would like to have an elder led church. I would like a church that would leave me alone. I would like to have a church that would know me personally. I would like a small church. I would like to have a big church.” As you can see, the list is longer than we have space to address.
Of course, these are only hypothetical desires that people want but they are absolutely true. How then, without changing with every ebb and flow of each decade, can the church remain healthy and the people to remain happy? If you can figure those two things out, I would encourage you to write a book about it because you will make MILLIONS! The short answer…. It is impossible. We all know the saying, “you can’t make everyone happy.” So then we may find ourselves sliding into a dark hole of “the majority wins” type of scenario. Most of the people want x, y, or z so that must be the right decision. Is this the right way? I would suggest that this democratic view of church can also be misleading. None of the examples of various desires are bad in and of themselves, but they can be deceptive by taking the place of that which is of utmost importance. If we all list our desires of what we want to see in a church, would we ever find what we are looking for? When we consider the church, we must remember that God’s authority, revealed in His Word, teaches us to gather together. Why? In a world where methods and fads change all the time, God’s Word never changes. Our foundation for what we do when we gather must reflect the character, majesty, and the desires of God Himself.
The regular gathering of God’s people is one of the most distinctive events the world will ever see. This isn’t because of flashy lights, hymns, music, and preaching – while those things may be present, it is so much more than that. The gathering of God’s People is distinct because of what it reflects. The assembly takes what is unseen of the church from the world to the church being seen by the world. What the world sees as we gather should be making the gospel visible to the world. In other words, the church (the assembly of the people) makes the invisible gospel seen.
Since Genesis 1, God has been creating a people for Himself. Abraham was promised that he would multiply into a great nation for the purpose and reflection of God. This continues through the book of Acts that God’s people (followers of Jesus) would gather for the purpose of Christ. Everything we do as a body of believers is to reflect God’s image for His glory. This is one of many reasons why I love our church so much. We take seriously the glory and worship of God alone. Let’s continue to make this our aim as a church gathered for His name. I cannot wait to worship with you this Sunday!
The WKND: Darkness & Light is a high-powered weekend for 6-12th grade students on February 16-18, 2024. Exciting worship, crazy REC, large group teachings, and overnight in homes with your closest friends. Please be in prayer for the Lord to move among our students this weekend!
Join us March 3rd in LH 260 at 9:30 AM if you are a new believer and wanting to learn more. One parent must attend with the child. We can’t wait to be a part of this exciting time in your life! Spots are limited. Register here
THIS SUNDAY!
This week, we are continuing our study in the book of Hebrews and will be looking specifically at Hebrews 3:7-19. Here is the text so you can read the passage and begin to pray for God to speak to us through His word.
“7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, 9 where your ancestors tested me, tried me, and saw my works 10 for forty years. Therefore I was provoked to anger with that generation and said, “They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known my ways.” 11 So I swore in my anger, “They will not enter my rest.” 12 Watch out, brothers and sisters, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception. 14 For we have become participants in Christ if we hold firmly until the end the reality that we had at the start. 15 As it is said: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. 16 For who heard and rebelled? Wasn’t it all who came out of Egypt under Moses? 17 With whom was God angry for forty years? Wasn’t it with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, if not to those who disobeyed? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.” (Hebrews 3:7-19, CSB)
Begin reading, praying, and anticipating for the Lord to teach us what the greatest fight is in our lives.
You are loved and prayed for!
Michael Gossett