Pastor's Notes

By Pastor Wayne

For football fans, training camp for the Dallas Cowboys begins July 30th in California.

And during the regular season thousands of supporters attend these events every week, wildly cheering on their favorite team or sport hero. Inhibitions are set aside as fans, with thoughtless abandon, encourage those on the field.

I look at the multitudes gathered for sporting events and say to myself, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all these people were in church praising the Lord?” Why are so many of our churches half empty? Where is the sense of excitement at being in the presence of the living God? Why does the idol of sports worship usurp worship of the One Who gave His life so we might live? So what is missing?

Despite living in a nation with a multitude of Bibles, knowledge of a personal God is lacking. Many folks will say they believe in a god, or that they are spiritual, but Jesus is not on their radar. Church doors are open, but the call of the game is louder and more compelling. Jesus’ last words to the world were: “Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:18)

Maybe we are the reason people are missing. Do we live our faith with joy and excitement? Do we exhibit peace in difficult situations? Do we reach out to those in need with a cheerful attitude? Do we love the unlovable? Do we forgive easily? Are we willing to share our faith?

Or do we join the crowds with a ho-hum attitude, grumbling and complaining with the rest of them? Christ said, “Go. Tell. Show. Obey.” Are we listening? Are we truly His followers?

These are questions we should all consider. I know I fall short in the doing and telling. Maybe we are partially to blame for the missing; but as we seek the Lord’s plan, as we truly desire to be His witness, God will fill us with His Spirit, guide us and give us the right words to say at the right time. Prayer for revival and obedience to the Word will open the floodgates and the missing will be missing no more.