Mega
June 19, 2009
The life of Jesus. Read Today: Jesus teaches and heals the multitude; Matthew 14:14; Mark 6:33-34; Luke 9:11; John 6:2
Sometimes I wonder why churches were invented. I ponder it and say to myself that they were a man made creation. Maybe we would be better pursuing God on our own. One on one would be best, that way there could be no abuses of power and authority by church leaders. As I ponder these things often God will put verses past me like this one:
Mark 6:34 Darby
(34) And on leaving the ship Jesus saw a great crowd, and he was moved with compassion for them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.
Sometimes I wonder why churches were invented. I ponder it and say to myself that they were a man made creation. Maybe we would be better pursuing God on our own. One on one would be best, that way there could be no abuses of power and authority by church leaders. As I ponder these things often God will put verses past me like this one:
Mark 6:34 Darby
(34) And on leaving the ship Jesus saw a great crowd, and he was moved with compassion for them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.
Jesus very often had church. Now it was not the organized mega-church of today but it was probably a large service. But the reason He did was simple. The people were like sheep without a shepherd. A shepherd did many things for his sheep. He protected them, cared for them, taught them about dangers, made sure that they had food and water. Sure he was a leader, but in that leading he also served them as well. He met their needs.
I often hear complaints about the mega-churches of today. I think the reason that many got so big is that they know that the people need things and meet those needs, either by themselves, or most likely, by gathering staff around them that they know they can trust. Jesus followed the same model. He did not do all the work, He had 12 people he trained to do it with and for Him. And just like Jesus, an occasional bad apple may be part of the group.
There is a need today for churches both big and small, just as their was in Jesus day.
I often hear complaints about the mega-churches of today. I think the reason that many got so big is that they know that the people need things and meet those needs, either by themselves, or most likely, by gathering staff around them that they know they can trust. Jesus followed the same model. He did not do all the work, He had 12 people he trained to do it with and for Him. And just like Jesus, an occasional bad apple may be part of the group.
There is a need today for churches both big and small, just as their was in Jesus day.
Read for tomorrow: Jesus feeds 5,000; Matthew 14:15-21; Mark 6:35-44; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:3-14
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