Police Devotion 8-9-2017

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is;” (Hebrews 10:25)

The book of Hebrews was written when the Christian church was still relatively young. Even back then, some people didn’t like going to church, that’s why the author said “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,” (which means skipping church), “…AS THE MANNER OF SOME IS;” (capitals added). So the idea of skipping church is nothing new, but it was a bad idea then and still is now.

Church isn’t an idea some preacher thought up to make money. It’s an institution that the Lord Jesus Himself started. He said, “…upon this rock [the rock is Jesus Himself] I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) Churches are mentioned in the New Testament as places to hear God’s Word preached, where God is worshipped in a public setting, and from where missionaries are sent to minister to other places. 1 and 2 Corinthians were written to …the church of God which is at Corinth,” (1 Corinthians 1:2) Galatians was given to “…the churches of Galatia:” (Galatians 1:2) Philippians was for “…all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons [church leaders; that is, preachers and laymen leaders]:” (Philippians 1:1)

A Bible-preaching church is where people hear God speak to their hearts through the preaching of His Word. Psalm 103:20 talks about “…the voice of his word.” It’s not an audible voice, but a voice that speaks to people’s hearts. Unfortunately, many so-called “churches” don’t respect or preach the Bible as God’s infallible Word. If you’re thinking of attending a church, here are three questions you might ask the pastor first: “1) Do you respect and preach from the Bible as God’s infallible Word? 2) Is the Bible your church’s only source of doctrine? 3) Can you show me from the Bible how to be sure I’ll go to heaven when I die?” If you don’t get all “yes” answers, you need to look somewhere else.

Some may say “I don’t feel like I get anything out of church.” Well, does the minister at the church you attend preach from God’s Word during the sermon? If not, maybe that’s why you don’t get anything out of it. He may tell some clever story or quote some human words of wisdom, but if he doesn’t give you God’s Word, he’s not doing his job. God commands preachers to preach HIS Word, not man’s word.  God’s Word touches the heart and soul like man’s word cannot. That’s why Paul told Timothy—and this command is for all preachers, “Preach the word.” (2 Timothy 4:2) The phrase “the word” refers to God’s Word.

Maybe you’ve seen church people who don’t act righteously. The church at Corinth had people like that. They bickered about minor things, sued each other, and worse. Maybe some people called them hypocrites, and rightly so.  But no doubt others in this church loved the Lord and wanted to serve Him, and were grieved by the problem people in the church, but they didn’t waste time focusing on them. They focused on the Lord. Police departments can be like that, with their share of apple polishers, crybabies, gossips, hatchet men, or drama queens (or kings), and not enough people who actually care about doing a good job. Don’t waste time focusing on problem people on the job, instead focus on doing your best.

Likewise, if you want to be your best as a Christian, you need to be in a Bible-preaching church. Please don’t skip church. If you’ve never been to Cleveland Baptist, this is your invitation. If you’ve not seen in the Bible how one can be sure of going to heaven, please click “Helpful Links”, then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”

Brian Miller 8/9/2017

Cleveland Baptist Church | 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 | 216.671.2822