Completed early history of Mornington corps…. Zeal, purpose, sense of excitement… Listen:
But then – closed. Why? Why do churches close/fold?
Why might Mornington have closed? Poor leadership? Back sliding? Financial? Maybe apathy? I hope not L
God hates apathetic believers - Warn you against lukewarmness - Ref Revelation – lukewarmness God hates it. Vomit (worst smell). God wants us to have a hot spiritual life. God wants people to look at you and say “she’s hot”, or “have a look at him, he’s hot”. Feelin’ hot, hot, hot about having Jesus Christ as your Lord, and serving him as best you possibly can. When we sing I surrender all, God expects that we mean it. That’s why being a Christian is tough. A lot is expected. We live under grace, yes, but God doesn’t want to be an add-on. A hobby. You know, and I know, that God wants to have the number 1 place in your life.
What does that look like?
- You’ll love God’s people (which is all people). Begins with each other – “by this shall all men know that you are my disciples…. ACTIONS not FEELINGS. Early church such a witness – care for each other. The sharing, the love…. A church with that sort of love though could still fold – people leave and can’t love outsiders into the fellowship
Not enough to love each other and say ‘God’s people’ – all people - but as you see, God has a heart for the marginalised, the orphan, the widow etc etc. We say we do, but how do we show it, in practical ways? The General warns us about becoming apathetic in our mission and service to the community…
LOVE GOD’S PEOPLE
- You will love God’s church. Support it financially, support its ministry activities, support its mission activities. Get involved. Gather for worship regularly – Hebrews. How regular is regular? For our early Mornington comrades, it was almost nightly. For many years regular has been every Sunday – as per the Sabbath commandment. We’re shifting from that – ref Part-time article. Is that healthy? For us? For church in general? Can we really run an effective, spiritually rich and healthy church and mission with that? I won’t let my bias get in the way and leave you to form your own opinions on that.
My favourite meals of the week? When all together. Church like a family meal table. We miss you when you’re not at the table.
Absence doesn’t matter so much in big churches – that’s often why they grow – you can hide. Not a big difference if 1/3 away 600 to 400, notice more if 60 to 40. New people come – have 400 people to say hello, many more who can be friends with etc etc…
LOVE GOD’S CHURCH – but could still fold
- Your life will include a spiritual rhythm – daily with God’s word and prayer, weekly with observing a Sabbath
It’s about hunger – don’t come to meal table if you’re not hungry. The paradox of Christianity, and possibly most religions, the more you engage through prayer, reading the Scriptures, incorporating rhythms into your days, the hungrier you get. Can’t love people without it, can’t love the church fully without it.
LOVE THE SPIRITUAL LIFE – but could still fold, because could become inward….
- You will share not only God’s love, but the Gospel as well. At appropriate times, in appropriate ways. (Text re always be ready to share a word – respect etc) 2 Tim 4: 2
LOVE THE GOSPEL ENOUGH TO SHARE IT
God has a purpose for you and for us, and it’s beyond ourselves -
Ref 1 Timothy 2 – Jesus came for everyone, freedom for everyone.
We must be a missional people. Sheep & goats.
We must be a holy people – garnered corporately through worshipping together, praying together, serving together, individually via spiritual disciplines.
We must be church people – who give of their time for the Bride that Christ loves so much
We must be love people – within and without
We are Jesus people. Followers of Christ, prepared to take up our cross – how often – fortnightly? – daily! We are Gospel people – people of good news. Our job to proclaim it and to live it. Freedom fighters!
The first Salvation Army in Mornington lasted 8 years. Yes it made an impact, but for one reason or another it didn’t last.
For SA Mornington Mark 2 to not just survive but thrive, we need a group of passionate, committed, united people who will place God as the highest priority in their lives, and give as best they can to see the mission of TSA gloriously alive in Mornington. God bless our Army.
Last Modified on 07/10/2013 13:03