Hosanna Restoration Church

Most of us have read or heard about how two people lied to the Holy Spirit and died on the spot. We have wondered what would happen if that happened in our churches today. We have even speculated that the day may well come when that happens again! I have to say that I would have been a bit reluctant to join that group but I can imagine that those who were a part of it became even more sincere and attentive to their walk with God. The truth is we could all stand improvement in that area from time to time.

The thing that keeps drawing my attention in this portion of scripture is that even though people did not join that particular group, there were still people being added to the kingdom of God. More and more were coming to the Lord and that seemed to be the most important thing. One thing that attributed to this, was the people held them in high regard. They admired their faith and saw something led them to desire to know the Lord. Sometimes it seems that we have forgotten that most important thing.

Jesus gave one plan for all, and that was that the good news be spread and that there be disciples all over the world, but to a certain extent it seems that people are more often concerned with building the attendance in their building that they are in adding to the kingdom. Because of this, many people who desire Jesus are confused by doctrine and give up. They become hungry for the Lord and are fed with plans for church growth and they get worn out.

I go crazy sometimes when other pastors ask how many chairs are full as though that is the measure of success. My concern is how are we affecting our community. Do people hold us in high regard because of our faith in God? Do they see something that challenges them to seek Him more? Are we somehow helping other churches to grow because we create a hunger in their people to know God more?

Maybe I am confused, but I have thought since I came to know the Lord that the most important thing was that more people came to know Him. I thought we were adding to the number of people at the wedding feast and not just focusing on the people at our fellowship dinner. It is my desire that our church family be made up of every person God wants there, and that all of us be a reflection of Jesus, who is the head of our family. I don’t want people to feel like we have to fill the building unless God wants that.

Look what happened because of their desire to simply show people Jesus. People were healed and delivered and more believed and God was happy. Let’s build the kingdom.