A Little Peptalk...

So in the first church I ever worked with I was convinced that if we had more money to do more work we would grow. Then I moved to another church and the issue was the secretary, if we just had a secretary that was more efficient we would grow more. At one church it was an elder that needed to move on or step down.  You understand don’t you? You’ve been there, What is it with you? A building that is falling apart, a sin that won’t be forgotten, a preacher who doesn’t seen to have the energy to help? I want to share something with you. I know you didn’t do it on purpose - neither did I - but when you say any of the above you are “making” them more powerful and more important than Christ!  It’s like saying: “Lord, I know you are powerful but we have this awful building and I just think it is more powerful to affect our church than you are.” “God, I know you are Lord or Lord’s a Ruler of the Universe, but we just don’t have the money to advertise like I wish we could and therefore, well, to be frank, that’s more powerful than You.”  You fill in the blank. But be honest. Isn’t He able? Isn’t He wiser? Isn’t He more than whatever you put in the blank? Now, get out there and do the work and let Him give the increase!

But first, consider these verses to reassure you:

Ephesians 1:20-22 - Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church...

Ephesians 3:20-21 - Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Colossians 1:18 - And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

Psalm 8:1 - O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

Psalm 89:7 - God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him?

Psalm 95:3 - For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

Psalms 96:4 - For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.

Now, go, do, create, serve, be, make something happen because - "he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world!"