It was president JFK who famously said, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." This self-sacrificial outlook did not originate with Mr. Kennedy, for it was Jesus who said it is more blessed to give than to receive. In our study of Romans at Calvary Chapel Sydney, I was struck by Paul's desire to visit the Romans and his motivation for doing so. His reasons were very different than reasons people today might have for choosing to visit or attend one church over another.
In the west we have coddled an outlook fostered by capitalism and consumerism. For instance, recently I took the boys for ice cream cones on the way home from church: one week we went to McDonald's, and the following week we tried Hungry Jacks. The prices for the cones were the same, but the ones at Hungry Jacks were almost twice the size! "Now that's what I'm talking about," I said as the cones from Hungry Jacks were handed to me by the smiling associate. "We know where to go for ice cream now, right boys?" Hungry Jacks clearly provided more "value for money," so if I had my choice that is where we would go based upon experience. Why not go where I receive double for the same investment of time or money? Some people approach going to church by similar rationale.
So what is your motive for going to a particular church? Or not going at all? You likely have many reasons, even if the main reason is you can't be bothered to look anywhere else! Paul's reason for wanting to visit the Romans may surprise you: it wasn't what he could receive but what God would impart through him for their establishment and encouragement. He openly declared his motive to visit in Romans 1:11-12: "For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established-- 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me." Paul was not motivated to visit the Roman believers because he believed he brought valuable experience or unique abilities to the table: he believed God would benefit the Romans spiritually through him! I love that Paul did not assume God would impart a particular gift, or that God was limited in His ability to use Paul by how He had gifted him in the past. Paul was convinced through his visit God would impart "some" spiritual gift. Though Paul admitted he certainly would receive mutual encouragement from his time with the Roman believers, it was more about what God chose to supply through him than what he hoped to receive.
True fellowship in the Body of Christ (the church) primarily concerns contribution, not what we desire to gain for ourselves. Jesus came not to be served but to serve, and to provide His life as a ransom for many. Praise the LORD for His example and that God has ordained good works for us to walk in. We have nothing to offer but ourselves in humility, and my God shall supply all our needs abundantly and faithfully.
In the west we have coddled an outlook fostered by capitalism and consumerism. For instance, recently I took the boys for ice cream cones on the way home from church: one week we went to McDonald's, and the following week we tried Hungry Jacks. The prices for the cones were the same, but the ones at Hungry Jacks were almost twice the size! "Now that's what I'm talking about," I said as the cones from Hungry Jacks were handed to me by the smiling associate. "We know where to go for ice cream now, right boys?" Hungry Jacks clearly provided more "value for money," so if I had my choice that is where we would go based upon experience. Why not go where I receive double for the same investment of time or money? Some people approach going to church by similar rationale.
So what is your motive for going to a particular church? Or not going at all? You likely have many reasons, even if the main reason is you can't be bothered to look anywhere else! Paul's reason for wanting to visit the Romans may surprise you: it wasn't what he could receive but what God would impart through him for their establishment and encouragement. He openly declared his motive to visit in Romans 1:11-12: "For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established-- 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me." Paul was not motivated to visit the Roman believers because he believed he brought valuable experience or unique abilities to the table: he believed God would benefit the Romans spiritually through him! I love that Paul did not assume God would impart a particular gift, or that God was limited in His ability to use Paul by how He had gifted him in the past. Paul was convinced through his visit God would impart "some" spiritual gift. Though Paul admitted he certainly would receive mutual encouragement from his time with the Roman believers, it was more about what God chose to supply through him than what he hoped to receive.
True fellowship in the Body of Christ (the church) primarily concerns contribution, not what we desire to gain for ourselves. Jesus came not to be served but to serve, and to provide His life as a ransom for many. Praise the LORD for His example and that God has ordained good works for us to walk in. We have nothing to offer but ourselves in humility, and my God shall supply all our needs abundantly and faithfully.
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