THE VEHICLE I AM IN

I bought a new car not too long ago. I went to the dealer, did my best to wheel and deal, and drove away with a cute, red KIA Soul – the car the dancing hamsters advertise. It’s actually the 4th KIA Soul I have bought in the last 10 years, so I guess you could say I like them.

The Soul checks off the boxes on my what-I want-from-a-car list. It sits up high, so I can see better. It has the hatchback so I can drag my stuff, and my grandson’s stuff, around. They are good on gas. Finally, they are not outrageously expensive cars, so I kept within my budget. And the fact that the newest addition was bright red with nice, black trim – just a bonus!

As much as I like buying a new car, once the newness of the car wears off, my car is just a car. It gets me from Point A to Point B. There are some nice things about it that I like, but none of them really impact the actual driving. Basically, it has all the necessary parts and does what I need it to do. I like it, but not everyone does. Some people wouldn’t be caught dead in a car that hamsters dance about. Some, no doubt, would hate a bright red car, or one that’s shaped like a big box. Some would consider it practically treason to buy a foreign car, while there are those who would think they were slumming if they bought an economy car.

But … to each his own. That’s the beauty of choice, and the privilege of living in a free country.

I think we could say a lot of the same things about churches.

CHURCHES ARE THE VEHICLE GOD USES TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND SALVATION!

They can be – should be -- useful and serve many functions. It’s where we go to hear the Word of God preached, where we go to pray for others, and where we go for prayer for ourselves. Church is the springboard for the Body of Christ to go out into the world and tell other of Christ and salvation.

I think at times, depending on your situation, a church can be your hiding place, the armory in the war against the world, the flesh and the devil, and a place of feasting with other believers to strengthen you for your journey.

But there have been many attacks against the Church. Some of the wounds have been self-inflicted. Some, but not all, have been justly deserved. Unfortunately, what happens in this day of social media and instant, although not always correct, information, is many people will paint all churches with the same paintbrush of scorn and disbelief.

THE TRUTH IS …

The church is still the vehicle God uses to speak to His children. He speaks to pastors who in turn speak to their congregations…God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believed (I Corinthians 1:21, NIV).

God hears the prayers of believers who gather together.

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them (Matthew 18:20, NIV).

The conditions of this world are getting worse, spiritually speaking. The vitriol that surrounds us is more hateful and frequent. It seems that the day of Christ’s return is imminent. My tendency is to withdraw a bit and close myself off to avoid getting hurt.

But … what does God say.

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near (Hebrews 10:25, NLT).

God wants us to meet together, pray together, and hear the Word together!

It stands to reason that we cannot all go to one church – just like we won’t all like one type of vehicle. One of the things about you knowing God is that God, also, knows you. He is more than able to lead you to a church that is a good fit for you. He knows what you need, and what you like. He will not mislead you.

When I got saved, I asked God to bring the church to me – and 3 days later on a beach in Connecticut, a stranger walked up to me and asked me if I was a Christian. I said I didn’t know, and that began the journey of my faith in the church I am still in 42 years later. It was a bit extreme. But -- it fit me. God knew exactly what I needed and where I needed to go.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5, NKJV).

Maybe you like the big church with the screens, huge worship band and choice of 2 restaurants for fellowship after. Or perhaps you prefer to sing the old hymns in a little country church and gather afterward in the Fellowship Hall for some Entenmann’s and coffee in a plastic cup.

No matter. Walk through the door. There’s work to be done.

Will you always get everything you like? Of course not. Is there a chance that someone will misspeak, or misbehave, and your feelings may get hurt? Of course. God is perfect, God’s will and plan are perfect, God’s wisdom is perfect. The people God uses – are not. It’s okay.

The vehicle will still get where it needs to go -- because God said it will.

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns (Philippians 1:6, NLT)

Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior? Are you assured that when you die will go to Heaven? If you are not, please take this moment and ask Christ to come and live in your heart. Christ died for you on the cross and all your sins have been forgiven. You need only to ask Him to save you and you WILL be saved.

If you are looking for a church, or are in need of counseling, you can go to ggwo.org