I believe that every reader will have a short list about why they chose the church they are attending. If asked by a friend about why you like your church, I’m sure you will be quick to tell them about the great praise and worship team, or perhaps the preaching, or even other things that you like about your church. But what do you think will attract the unbeliever? Spend time in the Word with me as we note the reason crowds were drawn to Jesus. Perhaps this will help us better respond to questions about our church!

BIBLE REFERENCE: Mark 3:7-8
TRANSLATION: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

BIBLE TEXT: 7 Jesus went away with his followers to the lake. A large crowd of people from Galilee followed them. 8 Many also came from Judea, from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from the area across the Jordan River, and from the area around Tyre and Sidon. These people came because they heard about all that Jesus was doing.

OBSERVATION: I believe that every reader will have a short list about why they chose the church they are attending. If asked by a friend about why you like your church, I’m sure you will be quick to tell them about the great praise and worship team, or perhaps the preaching, or even other things that you like about your church. But what do you think will attract the unbeliever? Spend time in the Word with me as we note the reason crowds were drawn to Jesus. Perhaps this will help us better respond to questions about our church!

APPLICATION: When we think that a friend likes great music, we will promote the great band that our church has, and the exciting Worship Leader who lends energy to our services each week. For the friend who likes to read, we may tell them about the emphasis our church has on studying the Bible. For the friend going through a rough time, you may tell them about the emphasis your church has on prayer. Of course, we all may have heard people brag about the love and care of the church members/attendees, and how they rallied around them on so many occasions of distress and heartache. But although many of these examples represent things that Jesus may have influenced in the lives of believers, isn’t it strange how seldom we give Him credit for all that He is doing in the church? Notice how, in our story today, that the people came from areas all around because of what they had heard about Jesus. Yes, this could mean that they came because of what others shared in their efforts to get them to meet their Savior, but friends, I believe that some of the first words from our mouth, when asked about our church, our ministries, our pastor, or our worship leader, is that Jesus is still the same today, as He was yesterday and the day before, and that we look forward to meeting with Him every time we go to church. Share how He healed the sick, restored sight to the blind, encouraged the down-trodden and gave hope and life to those who were discouraged and ready to give up. In fact, it is very evident that He meets with us each week as we open His Word, for our minds are made to understand; in prayer we speak with Him as One who is right there in our presence and we are encouraged to go on, knowing that the King of all kings still reigns, still loves and still cares for us like no one else could. Friends, this is not just words that we should speak, but rather experiences that we should share. In fact, this becomes reality as we leave our homes where Jesus has been present each and every day through our times of devotion, through our ups and downs of life, and through the answers to prayer for the sick and discouraged of our family. Then as we head to church to lift up His name and sing praise to our wonderful Lord, we are prepared to welcome Him in our midst and ready our hearts for a time of communion with our Lord – the Master and all gracious God. I believe that we have become way too dependent on entertainment, on things that bring us good feelings, on people who give money or things to us, and we go to church for more of the same. Please consider an intimate relationship with this great God of ours. Please consider going to church to lift up His holy name and bless others who need encouragement, and not for the selfish sake of getting your fill of blessings, although that will come when you do the things mentioned. Friends, this same God who created us and provides sunshine and food for us each day, loves us passionately and has a brand new home prepared for us, where we will enjoy His presence in band new bodies without pain and heartaches. Let’s learn to brag on Him more, and for all that He does through His humble servants at our respective churches. May He be glorified in and through us today, and every day.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, You are so good to me. You bless me beyond anything I can imagine. You even gave up Your life so that I might live eternally in Heaven. Please touch the hearts and souls of Your people today oh Lord. May we all be able to rejoice because of the Savior who loved us more than life itself; because of the Prince of Peace that calms us when life turns our world upside down; because You hear our cry for help and You answer our prayers with more than we could ever imagine or ask for. We just serve an awesome God, and we are forever thankful for knowing You as King and Lord of our lives. May all this cause an outflow of love and blessings to others that we come into contact with oh God. Be magnified in and through us, is my humble prayer. AMEN!