Wednesday, March 13, 2013

"Are you in the church or the congregation?"

Some thought-provoking insights:

How do you know if you’re int he church or the congregation?  Characteristics of being in the congregation:
  1. You are disjointed from the church.
  2. You have no joy when it comes to the things of God. You can only find joy in the things of the world.
  3. You are easily distracted in service, your mind is elsewhere.
  4. It doesn’t matter what time you come to church.
  5. You always sit in the back of the church.
  6. You only come to hear the choir sing, but not to hear the preached Word of God.
  7. You are critical of everything going on in service and point out what you think is wrong.
  8. You are on a time limit in service, counting the minutes until it is over.
- Characteristics of being in the church:
  1. You must have already left the congregation through salvation.
  2. You come to service prepared for worship. You become an asset to the service and not a liability.
  3. You have a hunger and thirst for the things of God. You read your bible throughout the week.
  4. You don’t mind giving God praise.
  5. You don’t wear just anything to church. You wear what will show off Christ and not yourself.
  6. You carry yourself as a holy disciple. In a way that commands respect.
  7. There is a longing to spend time and develop an intimate relationship with God. Prayer is not a burden, but a joy.
  8. You know the importance of confessing your sins.
Source: http://phillipstempletoledo.com/archives/1434