PSALMS 27:4: “One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.” NKJV
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OBSERVATION: I’s time to go back to church! It is time to look at all of our enemies, including the Coronavirus, and say – “I will be counted among those who gather in the name of the Lord!” It is time to turn our televisions off on Sunday morning and walk through the door of the assembly of the saints!

IT IS TIME TO GO BACK TO CHURCH!

I can already hear the objections to these statements. Some will say that I am taking this verse out of context. The house of the Lord was not the local church. Others will accuse me of being insensitive to the serioiusness and reality of the physical threat we are facing with the Coronavirus. Others, who prefer the comfy sofa, pajamas, and cup of coffee while watching their favorite preacher will simply tune me out. Yet, I must say it once again.

IT IS TIME TO GO BACK TO CHURCH!

David’s declaration in verse 4 is given in the context of facing great enemies.

• “When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war may rise against me, In this I will be confident.” Psalms‬ ‭27:2-3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

David speaks of the wicked who want to destroy him, enemies and foes that want to defeat him, and war that wants to decimate him. He faces all of these with confidence and faith. It is in this context that he proclaims,

• “One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.”

When Covid first hit none of us knew what to do. Churches followed the CDC guidelines and closed their doors for the first time in my lifetime. Pastors scrambled to put their services online. Many thought this would turn into a great outreach to the lost. Yet, we have not seen a revival since the onset of Covid. Instead, we have seen a rapid decline in church attendance and giving. And, don’t fool yourself, this has also hindered and stopped the church’s outreach into the community.

I will say what many may be afraid to say. The unchurched are not going to your Facebook page, they are not searching for your church on YouTube, and they are not visiting your church. The effect of Covid is that it has shuttered the doors of the church and the home. Christians have retreated and taken their light indoors where it is safe. Meanwhile, thousands upon thousands go to Disneyworld each day risking exposure to the virus. Something is wrong!

I am thankful that those who are sick and shut-in have access to worship services online. It is a wonderful outreach of our technology. Yet, I need to remind myself – you cannot make disciples over the internet. Discipleship is a hands-on proposition. It takes Christians, gathering together, serving together, worshipping together, praying together, and GOING together – to reach the lost!

The Harvest is ripe, yet there are no laborers. The world is in crisis, yet we are huddling around our 70-inch big-screen TVs. Churches are closing their doors for good much faster than new churches are being planted. There is a crisis of leadership as pastors age and there are not enough new young people to fill the ranks. While rioters take the streets the believers huddle at home.

IT IS TIME TO GO BACK TO CHURCH!

There is so much more that I could say on this subject. However, I think my point has been made. In over 40 years of pastoring, I have never seen what I am witnessing today in the church. We must right our course immediately. We must begin to walk in the wisdom that is balanced by fearless faith and witness. We must be willing to lay down our lives for the Gospel. Together with David, we must declare,

• “One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.”

Churches – be safe, be wise, and keep streaming your services. However, pastors must call their congregations back to the House of the Lord and lead them to the Harvest. It is time for all hands on deck. A Tsunami is coming and the only power against it is the unified witness of the people of God – THE CHURCH!

IT IS TIME TO GO BACK TO CHURCH!

In Jesus Name!