IronGuys Law Enforcement Ministries
"WORDS OF WISDOM"
By Police Chaplains
"A Family of Believers Reaching Those in Need"
By
Doni Daudel
Chaplain, Beaumont (CA) Police Department
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47(NLT)
This such beautiful picture. Believers gathering together in fellowship, sharing meals, sacrificially providing for the needs of one another and above all, praising and glorifying God. As I read this portion of scripture I thought about churches today. As I read what I believe to be the template for the original church model, I looked at churches today to see if we fit that template. Try as I may, I could not put the church today into the original mold of the church. It was the proverbial “trying to put a round peg into a square hole!” Let’s explore.
When I use the term “church” I’m not speaking of a specific church or denomination. I am speaking of all those who call themselves followers of Christ and those in church leadership specifically. Far too many churches and church leaders have turned “Christianity” into a “business.” Professing pastors are fleecing their flocks to keep up their lavish lifestyle. They drive $100,000 cars and own million dollar planes. That is not biblical. Churches care more about comfort, numbers and bodies in the pews than going into the world and preaching the gospel to those who are hurting and wondering where their next meal will come from. Churches turn people away because they smell and their clothes are dirty and torn instead of helping them. We no longer comfort the hurting, feed and clothe the destitute, and gather together to help the hurting and glorify God. This is not what God intended and it’s time for change.
Hebrews 20:23-25(NLT) says: “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near..” The people who need Jesus are outside of the four walls, air conditioned and comfortable pews of the building we call “the church.” Those who are destitute, hungry and beaten down very rarely come to a church. Do you see my point? It is imperative that we gather to be fed by humble shepherds, become equipped by the Holy Spirit and go find and love those who are lost and in need. Isn’t that what Jesus would do? If you are truly a follower of a Christ and want to impact the world for Christ, be the hammer! The door is open and God is calling. Will you go, help others and make disciples?