Pk’s Corner November 2011
2 Corinthians 2:4 “For out of an extremely troubled and anguished heart I wrote you with many tears…”.
This past week I was challenged, and I bring that challenge to you. The question is; What breaks your heart? My answer came as not a surprise but a confirmation as to why I am a minister.
As I look out over the congregation on Sunday mornings, I see empty seats. As I drive home after the service I see children playing, restaurants full, and the stadiums filled to over flowing with sports fans waiting for the kickoff. My heart is broken.
You see, the empty pews are not about numbers on our rolls, nor are they about the amount of money the church has received in the collection. What grieves me is that an empty pew represents a person that may die in their sin.
As a church we are called to go and make Disciples of Christ, but our churches are getting emptier and emptier over the years. The older folks are dying off and the younger folks seem to be attracted to worldly pursuits. Our economic times dictate working on the Sabbath just to keep food on the table.
People are dying, not knowing about a loving caring Christ that can give them eternal life. The empty pew grieves me, and troubles my heart, for there is a person out there that has not heard of Christ. The empty pew means a lost person is still lost. Someone out there will spend eternity in hell because that pew is empty.
The Holy Spirit saves, let’s get that straight, but the church provides a safe loving place so people can develop and grow that relationship with Christ. But if they are not there, how can they know.
And how can they come unless we bring them, invite them, love them enough to open our hearts and doors to them.
So the question I have for you, is your heart broken enough to point a soul to Christ? Who is truly responsible for those who die in their sin, simply because they haven’t heard? Why haven’t they heard? Why haven’t you told them?
As Christians we are all responsible for our brothers and sisters eternity. Will you let God call the lost through you, or are you satisfied with the extra space in the pew?
Amen
