CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 944

“The Comfortable Church”

…And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles…Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. (Acts 8:1-4)

Recently a Pastor spoke about an experience he had at an international conference of Pastors. He was having a conversation with a Pastor from a third-world nation where Christians were being murdered for their faith. The third-world Pastor stated that he feared for the church in America and that he kept us in his prayers. His fear was that our comfort has brought on complacency and a diluted, weakened faith that would not be able to withstand great persecution when it comes.

I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. (Revelation 3:15-17)

There are a few signs that indicate we have become too comfortable with church religiosity. Reflect on the following:

Your Bible is a badge that you carry to church rather than your daily workbook for seeking God.

Your mind is everywhere and anywhere during the church service except upon God so that you proclaim ‘I didn’t get anything out of church’.

You attend church services out of a ritual habit, much like your regular golf outing, or other social get-together. There is little to no anticipation and expectancy of entering God’s presence and communion with Him.

You keep your faith to yourself. There is no burden to share the Gospel with the lost.

Your Pastor preaches the hard Truth of God’s Word and you consider it meddling in your affairs.

You question why the ushers let certain people of a certain social classes come to your church.

The early church grew by leaps and bounds because of great persecution. Spurgeon said ‘Untested faith may be true faith, but it is sure to be small faith, and it is likely to remain little as long as it is without trials.’

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. (James 1:2-3) May the Holy Spirit renew your faith with a depth and breadth sufficient to empower you to withstand all persecution. May you be emboldened to live a visible life of faith in this world making the Light of Christ visible to the lost and drawing them to Jesus.