Tired of Church? Meet with Jesus

http://your.sydneyanglicans.net/senior_clergy/archbishop_jensen/articles/tired_of_church_meet_with_jesus/

[your.sydneyanglicans.net] 26 June 2007--We sometimes attend our church out of mere habit, or perhaps because we do not wish to be criticised for non-appearance. Sometimes we go simply in order to meet friends. None of these reasons is wrong in itself. Even habit, or the fear of criticism, can work for our good. But the real reason for attending the fellowship of believers is that we may meet Christ. That should be our purpose, our motive. And what a difference it will make to our spirits if we remember that this is the reason for our attendance. Instead of the mood of routine, we may gather with delight and anticipation.

Of course, we do not meet him bodily. His presence is a spiritual fact. We may put it this way: he meets us in his word and by his Spirit. His Spirit brings new birth, opens our eyes to the truth, unites us with Christ and indwells us in such a way as we may say that Christ and the Father dwell within us (John 14:15-24). His Spirit inspires the word of God and opens our hearts to its truth. By the word of God, Christ governs his church – promising, exhorting, teaching, rebuking, encouraging his flock.