In the text this week, John’s disciples were frustrated about what was happening. Their ministry had once been a thriving movement that was capturing the hearts of the nation, but now it was in decline and far from what they were expecting. John’s influence was waning in light of Jesus. The disciples knew who Jesus was, but they didn’t want to lose what they had.
They made the ministry about them instead of Him!
Don’t we do that very same thing today? How many people come to church looking for it to fill them up? How many people come and listen to a sermon and some songs and go away content that their needs have been met? How many people complain that the church is not what it used to be and it no longer meets our needs? I know I have done all of this. Why? Because in those moments I was making church all about me.
But church is all about Jesus. We sing; we preach and listen to sermons; we meet every week, all to make much of Jesus while making less of ourselves. We ought not come to church for what it can do for us - we ought to come looking to serve our King and make Him great!
To be sure, going to church is a tremendous blessing. We get to come to a place that magnifies God’s Son and proclaims Him boldly through song and through the preaching of His Word, which is awesome! But we were not designed to be event attendees; we were designed to gather together as participators. When we sing, we do not watch a team of musicians who are worshipping - we join in with them to magnify our great God together! When we listen to the sermon, we are not listening to a cool speech - we are listening to a rally cry, beckoning all of us to join the movement of our living King!
This is the reason we worship, the reason we take notes during the sermon, the reason we pray and take communion, and the reason we serve others. Church is not about us! It is all about Him.
