Have You Caught the Dreaded “Me-Church” Disease?

Zechariah 13; Zechariah 14; Psalm 147; Luke 15
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Scripture

Luke 15

The Parable of the Lost Son

11 Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
13 "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20 So he got up and went to his father.
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
25 "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
28 "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'
31 " 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "

Observation

Have you ever heard church people say, “What about us? The church puts all its attention on people that don’t know Christ, but what about us?”

Does that sound like the older son or what?

These are usually the same church members that have heard thousands of sermons, no telling how many hours of Sunday School lessons, umpteen opportunities to do stuff for Christ and they say, “but what about us”!

It is the dreaded disease called “Me Church”!

Application

Bringing people to Jesus Christ is our great task, not keeping the sheep comfortable. Today I plan to visit some folks that need to hear about Jesus!

Luke 15:10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."


Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me focus on the people that are lost and that need a relationship with you. I want the angels in heaven to celebrate because I helped a sinner find you! Help our people Lord become so burdened for the lost that not one of them has anymore that dreaded “me church” disease. Free them Lord, heal them and give all of us your heart for the people all around us. Thank you for the lives that are being changed and I pray that you direct us to people that need you. Amen.



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