Revision Week 2 - Together loving Jesus and others
Finding Treasure in Broken Vessels: The Power of Church Community
When life feels like it's on fire or heading in the wrong direction, the answer is simple but not easy: eyes on Jesus. Not on ourselves, our government, or our circumstances, but on Jesus. When we truly focus on His glory and majesty, it changes us from the inside out. We start treating people differently and living lives of love and grace in response to what we've received.
This transformative power is at the heart of Hope Summit's new mission statement: "Together loving Jesus and others by participating in church regularly, serving others, joining a group, studying and praying, and sharing Jesus."
Why Is "Together" So Important?
The very first word of our mission statement—"together"—is perhaps the most crucial. In American culture, we're constantly bombarded with messages that elevate the individual. Marketing strategies focus on what you want, what you need, and what you deserve.
Unfortunately, churches have sometimes fallen into this same pattern, making faith about the individual rather than the community. But when we look at God's Word, spiritual growth is rarely talked about in an individualized way.
Yes, there's an individual aspect—I am a sinner separated from God, and Jesus came so that I could know Him. But the moment we begin walking with Christ is an invitation to stop making our lives about ourselves and to learn to focus on who Jesus is for everyone.
What Can We Learn from Jesus's Church Attendance?
In Luke 4:16, we see that Jesus "went to Nazareth where he had been brought up. And on the Sabbath day, he went into the synagogue, as was his custom." Jesus made attending worship with others part of His regular routine—His ethos.
But why did Jesus go to synagogue? He didn't need to worship there. As the Word made flesh, He didn't need to hear Scripture taught. As one with the Father, He didn't need prayer or community for Himself.
Yet He went anyway, making it His custom. This should cause us to examine our own motivations for church attendance. Do we come just to get something for ourselves, or do we come understanding that we're part of something bigger?
How Often Should Christians Attend Church?
According to a Barna study, people who self-identify as "consistent churchgoers" attend an average of 1.5 times per month. Why so infrequent? Because we're distracted by other treasures that don't last.
The enemy's greatest deception in the American church isn't getting us to do great evil but to feel good about ourselves by doing "good enough" while being distracted by worldly pleasures that cannot satisfy and will not last into eternity.
Jesus said, "Don't store up treasures on earth, but store up treasures in heaven." What's the only thing on earth that we get to take with us into eternity? People. Broken, imperfect people whom Jesus will transform into beautiful works of art.
Where Is God's Treasure Found?
In 2 Corinthians 4:6-7, Paul writes: "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed on the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."
Many of us come to church seeking treasure from Jesus—peace, love, grace, self-control. We want the treasure that only Jesus can provide. And God says, "Yes, I've given it to you, but I've given it to you through broken, imperfect people."
Think about your own faith journey. Most of us came to know Jesus not through a direct divine encounter but through ordinary people who said, "Jesus loves you" and then showed us what that love looks like.
Why Is Regular Church Attendance Important?
If God has chosen to put His treasure in "jars of clay"—broken, imperfect people—then where's the best place to find them? At church! And what's the best day to bump into the most people carrying the treasure of Jesus? Sunday.
When we understand this, we stop asking, "Do I need church today?" and start asking, "Does God need me at church today?" Because you never know how your presence might make the ultimate difference in someone's life.
The best ministry often happens in the hallways, in the pews before or after service, or at the cross when people come forward for prayer. That's when real church is happening, and many people are missing this true treasure found on Sunday mornings.
Life Application
This week, I challenge you to reconsider your approach to church attendance. Instead of coming to receive, come to give. Look around and ask, "Who needs me today? How can I help? Who doesn't look okay that I should check on?"
Ask yourself these questions:
What do I truly treasure? Is it things that will fade, or people who will last eternally?
Am I making church about me, or about us?
How can I be a "jar of clay" that carries God's treasure to someone this week?
When was the last time I showed up at church specifically looking for someone to serve rather than to be served?
Remember, we are better together when we love Jesus and others by participating in church regularly. When we pursue this together, we will see more imperfect people finding perfect hope in Jesus. Isn't that what we want?
