Facts About the Church in Our Time
Today we are living in a time when the economy in our country is as bad as it was during the great depression of the late 1928-1940s. There is perhaps 35% of the working class in America that cannot find a job sufficient to support their family. When we look at this situation it is surely also effecting the amount of money that is being contributed into the treasury of each congregation in the country and also effecting the amount of support from good Christians that supply benevolence and evangelist needs in other countries.
What is the answer? We must continue to do whatever we can with our personal resources When we meet to worship as regards our contribution; Yes, surely many Christians today are severely effected by the down-turn in jobs and income due to the high cost of taxes on nearly everything that we possess. Add to this the political and moral laxity that is now being paraded via the w.w.w., movies, and TV and we have a crisis not only of economics but also a crisis of morality and temptations of Satan to draw away the weak and marginal church attendees.
Recently I have seen a copy of a report on the condition of the Lord’s church in the Los Angeles, CA by brother Royce Bell that states, and I quote – “My association with the Venice CA. church is one of the oldest churches in the Los Angeles basin, having a rich heritage of faithfulness through the years. In the past 20 years or so, over 25 churches in the LA area have simply closed their doors. Venice is the only congregation in the entire area numbering about 15 souls.” From this report we can see that things are not progressing very well in the California area but lets be honest; how many congregations in the area where you attend worship has grown significantly in the past 10-20 years? Perhaps it is the problem we have already referred to in this article but it may be that the world (i.e. the Devil) is having some success with the past two generations that has caused much of the lack of growth and maturity in many churches.
Friends, brethren, we have to wake up to the problems that are current among us; where will the church be 25 years from now where you attend worship? I wonder if many of the current sound churches will be in existence “don’t you?” The Bible is our guide and that must always remain a steady fact for future efforts at building up the church locally and in other places. We must use whatever resources we possess in evangelism and teaching locally as much and as often as we can establish a study session with the un-churched, the backslidden, and the just used to be Christians as well as our family and in-laws. The Great Commission is still our call to work as it has been since Christ arose from the dead – let us all shoulder whatever responsibility we possess with our knowledge and ability as we ought – cf. Matthew 28:18-20. Indeed; may we reconcile ourselves to the task before us and take the time to spread the gospel as much as possible while we are still here in the world – cf. Eccl. 11:5-6 – 5 As thou knows not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knows not the works of God who makes all. 6 in the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knows not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. KJV
John 6:27-29
27 Labor not for the meat which perishes, but for that meat which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
28 Then said they unto him, what shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. KJ
James 1:25
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work , this man shall be blessed in his deed. KJV
Titus 3:1
1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, KJV
1 Thess. 1:3
3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; KJV
John 6:28-29
28 Then said they unto him, what shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. KJV
Consider This:
Perhaps I am just an alarmist but in recent years I have witnessed a decline in many congregations where I have been privileged to visit for gospel meetings and other matters. Many brethren are concerned and worried about the state of the church. Can we simply say; brethren we must be about our Heavenly Father’s business (i.e. the business of saving souls that are caught in the grips of sin) – cf. As our Lord says; “I must be about my Father’s business” Luke 2:44-49 – 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, how is it that ye sought me? know ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? (KJV)