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My lifelong custom has always been to go to church on Sunday.
As much as I love my church family and honor the man of God that shepherd's it, my family comes first.
Reason being, God instituted the family long before He formed the church.
Dexter Pentecostal Church is a great church only because of the families that keep showing up.
Is it a perfect congregation?
Of course, not because it is fast filling up with imperfect people.
But this past weekend once again gave forth signs Christ looks for in a live church.
The last place I want to be on Sunday is a dead church going through the motions.
For 6 1/2 years I served my country in support of our troops abroad but sadly come Sunday I had no viable live church to attend.
The only place to worship was a chapel service watered down so no one would be offended.
As a result, most Sundays had me in my sleeping quarters quietly worshiping in private or going online to watch live stream services back home.
Because the last place I want to be on Sunday is a dead church.
The signs Christ looks for when He visits and was found in the home of a family in Bethany in the Bible.
The ideal church God instituted was to be portrayed out as the family mentioned in the Bible with a brother named Lazurus and two sisters named Mary and Martha.
Let's compare the two settings.
The church God instituted had turned into big business.
The following is borrowed but sheds light on why Jesus acted in the manner He did, the only time He became violent:
As soon as Jesus and his disciples arrive in Jerusalem they go to the temple.
The temple courts would have been very busy as it was Passover, and many Jews made the journey to Jerusalem to make a sacrifice and worship there.
It was customary for animals to be sacrificed.
However, the animals that were to be offered as sacrifices had to be checked for purity.
Some of the traders were selling these animals for sacrifice at ten or 15 times their usual price.
The temple also had its own currency, only special coins were accepted.
Roman coins with the image of the emperor were not accepted.
Therefore, money had to be changed into the correct currency and the money changers charged an extremely large fee.
Jesus was furious that people coming to worship God were taken advantage of.
He reacted violently as he overturned the tables of the money changers and those selling doves.
He said that his Father’s house was to be a place of prayer, but that it had been made into a den of robbers. (Mark 11)
Quote end quote.
What He wants in a church body was found in Bethany at the home of the man Lazurus and his two sisters Mary and Martha.
Lazurus was rejoicing in front of the mirror patting his face in wonder that he was alive.
And Mary was at His feet worshiping!
Martha was in the kitchen working and serving up food.
That's what is found in a church alive.
A Spirit filled church is going to have members rejoicing over miracles because the day of miracles is not over.
A live church is full of worshipers in Spirit and truth.
Demonstrative worship is what the Lord loves, let the redeemed of the Lord say so!
In regard to demonstrative worship some have said God is not deaf.
I agree, but He is not nervous either!
He said if we hold our peace the rocks would cry out in praise to Him.
The only thing living around a dead church is the ivy growing up the outside walls.
Another sign of a live church is the love shed abroad to the community by the Holy Ghost within the members.
A live church is a serving community minded church, reaching out to those who are lost in this world of sin and shame with love and compassion.
Miracles, worshipers and servers!
That's the signs of a live church.
And that's what I keep finding at Dexter in any typical service as last night.
If you find yourself in similar, you too are blessed.
The signs of a live church.
If you like deadness, then have what you will.
But as for me and my house we want a church that is alive.
Because the last place I want to be is in a dead church on Sunday.
God bless you and God bless America.
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