BEING NOURISHED, OR WARMING PEWS?

A Church goer wrote to a newspaper saying it made no sense to go to church every Sunday.

"I've gone for thirty years," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like three thousand sermons. But for the life of me I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons."

Wasn't he listening? Did he really hear the sermons? Was he just a pew warmer?

The Sunday after Dad's funeral I went to church with Mom. During the sermon the minister, said "We do not have; -- then, realizing I was in the congregation revised it to say -- at least we do not observe the sabbath day as the scriptures teach us to observe it."

As a sabbath keeper, had I been there under different circumstances I would have asked why not. But the rest of the congregation let it go right over their heads. Weren't they listening?

Think back. What was the sermon about the last time you went to church? If you don't remember, perhaps you're like to fellow who wrote to the newspaper.

Think further back. Was there a sermon or two which was really meaningful to you? If there wasn't, perhaps the pastor was wasting his time on you.

The letter writer started a lengthy controversy through the newspaper, until someone wrote this clincher:

"I've been married for thirty years. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But for the life of me I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I know this: They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"

What about you: are you simply a pew warmer, or do you go to church for spiritual nourishment?

© Life Lines