As good Christians, we are often encouraged to bring our friends and relatives to church.
Does it sound weird if we are being asked to bring Jesus to church? Read on...
In Pastor B's "swan sermon" in PLMC on 29 July, he mentioned that his desire was to see a revival taking place in PLMC. He pictured the Sanctuary being filled to the brim, and worshippers having to stand at the back because all the pews would have been filled.
At present, when one observes the sanctuary each Sunday at 9am or 11.15am, one would notice that there are still empty pews, because many of us (myself included) would stream in at about 9.15am or 11.30am.
Now contrast this to another church where hundreds upon hundreds of people queue up hours beforehand in order to hear the Word of God. After getting into the church premises, some even end up having to sit on the floor.
So wherein lies the difference, you may ask?
Could it be that the difference is that Jesus Christ is the central focus? Listen to any typical sermon of that church, and you will hear Jesus being exalted at least two (if not three) dozen times.
If we want to see vibrancy in any church, we have to bring Jesus back into the church.
Many churches nowadays place a heavy emphasis on prayer, missions, evangelism, outreach, cell ministry, worship and music, etc. These are all noble and worthy, but let us remember that these pursuits should be the fruit, rather than the root.
The focus should be on Jesus. When we lift Jesus up, all men will be drawn unto Him. And the activities as mentioned above will all flow out from there.
Which reminds me of a song I used to sing in Sunday School...
Lift Jesus Higher
Lift Jesus Higher, Lift Jesus Higher.
Lift Him up for the World to See.
He Said If I Be Lifted up from the Earth.
I Will Draw All Men unto Me
"Bring my Son back to the Church" was what the LORD told Pastor Prince in 1997. After he obeyed the LORD, God prospered NCC and it has multiplied hundredfold from 150 to more than 15,000 today.
God does not play favourites. What He has done in NCC, He can do here in PLMC as well. I look forward to our congregation growing from 2,400 to 24,000. Not only will there be standing room only in the Sanctuary, even the cry rooms and library would be filled to overflowing. There will even be video-feeds from the Chapel, Fellowship Hall and dare I say it, PLMGSS!
Let's bring Jesus back to the church, and we will see a mighty revival. Amen?
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