How do you like me now?
“Everybody’s just there for Jesus.”
-Season 1, Episode 3
This point seems like it should be as natural as breathing. After all, we’re all in love with Jesus, right?
But somehow the thought of sitting at the feet of Jesus gets lost in translation as we scamper and scurry to turn on lights, greet visitors, burp babies, teach children, lead worship, preach or even in just the effort it takes show up on time for service.
Somehow we forget that the output of all of our efforts is to connect people to Jesus and that He’s the reason people even attend church in the first place. All of our efforts, heck, all of our lives, are only the branches and fruit of a much bigger work whereby He’s the vine and our Father is the vinedresser.
(See John 15:1-8)
In keeping with this metaphor that Jesus so beautifully illustrated, consider this: If He is truly the vine of our lives, the life giving source of everything holy, good and perfect, how could we ever attempt to “do church” (the assembly of His body) apart from a personal connection to Him?
How could we ever call anything we accomplish holy, good or perfect if we’re not first devoted to personal worship and attendance at His feet?
(See Mary and Martha: Luke 10:38-42)
Does ministry feel dry and exhausting? I’d almost bet you’re neglecting your life source.
Do you find yourself irritable and impatient? You’re likely missing the personal work of Holy Spirit, which can only be refined by time with the One who is love, joy, peace, patience…
We often find ourselves in these types of slumps completely unaware of how we got there. Suddenly, we’re looking back at our lives, remembering the closeness and intimacy we once enjoyed with Jesus, wondering ‘What the heck happened now?’ since we’re “doing” all the “right” things.
The decline happens slowly and seemingly innocently enough:
Personal prayer is forgone for corporate prayer.
Personal Bible study is replaced with small group.
Personal worship is replaced with K-Love.
And before you know it, you’re doing the church thing on Sunday (or Wednesday or whenever you serve/attend) instead of the Jesus thing— the whole reason you even got started to begin with!
But the Jesus thing is the work which saved and redeemed you! The Jesus thing is what will endure for ages to come when our church buildings are nothing more than a distant memory and a dim reflection of the true splendor and beauty of the Bride of Christ.
Leaders, consider this: Could it be that the day one believer, the one who just gave their life to Christ at the altar, has a better understanding of the purpose of the gathering of the saints than you do?
After all, that person showed up for Jesus and nothing more.
“So, whose the baby Christian, now?”
Scripture References
'“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.'
John 15:1-8
https://my.bible.com/bible/116/JHN.15.1-8
'As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”'
Luke 10:38-42
https://my.bible.com/bible/116/LUK.10.38-42