Pastor's Article July 23, 2023

~ Pastor’s Weekly Article ~
In the Body of Christ, we have a responsibility to lead, teach, help, and hold each other accountable with the Word of God as our Manual, guidebook, and standard for living. It is obvious when you read the Word of God that the attitude of grace and atmosphere of love are necessary ingredients for this work to be effectively done. As we come to Church each week, we expect to hear preaching and teaching from the Word of God and this is not only necessary it is commanded, commissioned, and blessed by God.
It is also important to note that while preaching and teaching the Bible is good and right, that it is not the only way, we are to encourage people to live by the standard of the Word of God. The preaching of the Word falls short if it is not also lived out for others to see. The Bible says that “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” But it also says, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” Which means that hearing the Word is what ignites faith and doing what the Bible says produces fruit. The best way to lead people to live by the Word is to love them enough to live it out before them and to teach them by example to follow God, showing them how good His perfect will is. It is okay to tell people how to live if you love them enough to show them by example.
I remember counseling with a man who had been abusing his wife and telling me how much he loved her, my thought was how messed up is it to tell someone you are hurting that you love them as you are beating them down. Saying I love you is not viable if it is not backed by affirming behavior. If you love your church family, show it by setting an example of how to walk with Jesus. The best way to teach the Word of God is to live it before others.
Pastor, Rev. Wayne Marcus