Thoughts From Philippians 2 - Part 1

Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus Phil.2:1-5

        I've visited a few churches lately that aren't my home church while visiting grandchildren and working out of town. My conclusion - I wouldn't attend any of them, well, maybe one. But they all come highly recommended by my kids and residents. What do they see in them that I don't? The preaching was mediocre, the worship was unspectacular, and you know what, when they visit my church, they probably think the same thing. What is it about our churches that cause us to defend them as vigorously as our favorite singer or pizza? I'm convinced it is the body or the real meaning of "church". I love meeting with my small group who has borne my burdens and vice-versa. I root for my pastor who is a dear friend and I know would do anything for me and works like a dog for our body despite detractors. I worship along with my worship leader who I've known since high school and seen the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in his life. When I visit churches, I don't get any of that.

          Paul is telling us this same thing in Chapter 2 that the Christian life wasn't meant to be lived as a visitor to a church. It's meant to be lived like a person with a new family. Paul says that being united with fellow believers causes encouragement to happen. Who doesn't need to be encouraged? In context, in the previous chapter, not only does Paul mention his imprisonment, but he talks about the church being persecuted. Are you depressed or discouraged? The best thing you can do is find a small group or Bible study meeting, even today, and go. There, he says you will find comfort, compassion, sharing of your burdens, joy, tenderness and love because ideally Christians are treating one another as more important than themselves following the humble example of Christ through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

        Are you just attending a church, or do you belong to a church? This is why churches stress becoming members even though membership is not mentioned in the Bible. Membership stresses belonging, which is what it means to be "the church". If you are just attending, chances are you will be disappointed and keep church (s)hopping. If you are jumping in with both feet, you will be wearing a shirt that says, "I Love My Church."