Is the church spiritually dry?

[ZNP]

Is this just me or is the church just spiritually dry? am I being to critical or has anyone else experienced this when going to a church?

One person can make a tremendous difference.

Phil 1:24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

In the OT we see a story about how Jonathan and his armor bearer turned the battle from defeat to victory for Israel. The same is true of the story of David and Goliath. It is amazing how much one person can do, there are stories of David's mighty men that illustrate that.

I saw something along those lines that shocked me. Lynn Swann, Jerry Rice and Julian Edelman each won an MVP award during a Superbowl. Each played for a great dynasty, each had hall of fame quarterbacks throwing to them, each went to four Superbowls, and each will wind up in the Hall of Fame. No doubt each had a big impact on the success of their teams and played an important role in them getting to those superbowls.

But consider how they each did in the Big game.

Lynn Swann 1 MVP, 3 TDs in four superbowls and 364 yards. Julian Edelman 1 MVP, 0 TDs and 337 yards in four superbowls. Jerry Rice 1 MVP, 8 TDs and 589 yards in four superbowls.

I had no idea how big of an impact Rice had until you compared him to the other all time greats.

Instead of worrying about how others are doing and how the church is doing, how about we each focus on our own walk, our own labor. Come early to the meeting to join in the prayer meeting. That will let you see who the core of the church is.

One of our problems is we compare ourselves with others. We think "I'm better than average". Forget about that, look at the people we are supposed to imitate like Jesus and the apostle Paul and compare yourself to them.

 

[ZNP]

One person can make a tremendous difference.

Phil 1:24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

In the OT we see a story about how Jonathan and his armor bearer turned the battle from defeat to victory for Israel. The same is true of the story of David and Goliath. It is amazing how much one person can do, there are stories of David's mighty men that illustrate that.

I saw something along those lines that shocked me. Lynn Swann, Jerry Rice and Julian Edelman each won an MVP award during a Superbowl. Each played for a great dynasty, each had hall of fame quarterbacks throwing to them, each went to four Superbowls, and each will wind up in the Hall of Fame. No doubt each had a big impact on the success of their teams and played an important role in them getting to those superbowls.

But consider how they each did in the Big game.

Lynn Swann 1 MVP, 3 TDs in four superbowls and 364 yards. Julian Edelman 1 MVP, 0 TDs and 337 yards in four superbowls. Jerry Rice 1 MVP, 8 TDs and 589 yards in four superbowls.

I had no idea how big of an impact Rice had until you compared him to the other all time greats.

Instead of worrying about how others are doing and how the church is doing, how about we each focus on our own walk, our own labor. Come early to the meeting to join in the prayer meeting. That will let you see who the core of the church is.

One of our problems is we compare ourselves with others. We think "I'm better than average". Forget about that, look at the people we are supposed to imitate like Jesus and the apostle Paul and compare yourself to them.

Another example, I used to do a lot of hiking and camping. When you get to your campsite you need to make a fire and if the wood is wet it can be very challenging. But, once you have a roaring fire it doesn't matter if the wood is wet, toss it on and in no time flat it is burning as well. The point being, if you are on fire, if you are a roaring fire, it doesn't matter if those around you are dry, dead, cold or wet. They will all be set on fire in no time flat.

 

[Blain]

Another example, I used to do a lot of hiking and camping. When you get to your campsite you need to make a fire and if the wood is wet it can be very challenging. But, once you have a roaring fire it doesn't matter if the wood is wet, toss it on and in no time flat it is burning as well. The point being, if you are on fire, if you are a roaring fire, it doesn't matter if those around you are dry, dead, cold or wet. They will all be set on fire in no time flat.

I think that we must check oursleves first before we check the spiritual state of others but yes one person can make the difference the issue is when we ourselves are spiritually dry without even realizing it

 

[2ndTimeIsTheCharm]

I think that we must check oursleves first before we check the spiritual state of others but yes one person can make the difference the issue is when we ourselves are spiritually dry without even realizing it

The Bible did say that the love of most will grow cold and that people will surround themselves with others that will only tell them things they want to hear. So I think were at that point and that things will only get better when Jesus comes back for us. This calls for patience and to get closer to Jesus in our walks.

 

[ZNP]

The Bible did say that the love of most will grow cold and that people will surround themselves with others that will only tell them things they want to hear. So I think were at that point and that things will only get better when Jesus comes back for us. This calls for patience and to get closer to Jesus in our walks.

Yes, all that is true, but it doesn't have to be true for you. That is your choice and that was my point.

Personally I think this is the absolute best time to be a Christian in the entire church age.

 

[2ndTimeIsTheCharm]

Yes, all that is true, but it doesn't have to be true for you. That is your choice and that was my point.

Personally I think this is the absolute best time to be a Christian in the entire church age.

What choice do you think I made? I don't even know what your point is and I was responding to @Blain 's post, not yours.

 

[ZNP]

What choice do you think I made? I don't even know what your point is and I was responding to @Blain 's post, not yours.

Blains post that you were responding to was a response to my post. My use of "you" was not directed at anyone, it was spoken in the context of my post which Blaine and I thought you were responding to.

It means any person in church does not have to be brought down because the church is dry or cold. You can bring the fire. It is your choice, it is each of our choices.

 

[2ndTimeIsTheCharm]

Blains post that you were responding to was a response to my post. My use of "you" was not directed at anyone, it was spoken in the context of my post which Blaine and I thought you were responding to.

It means any person in church does not have to be brought down because the church is dry or cold. You can bring the fire. It is your choice, it is each of our choices.

I'm not down though. Jesus can verify that. i just acknowledge and accept what the Bible says is happening. That's all.