Trinity Baptist Church

I suspect that many churches are somewhat like Samson in the Old Testament, in that they do not even realize that the glory of the Lord is not present with them.  I believe it was Vance Havner who said, “Most churches have been subnormal for so long, that if they ever saw one that was normal, they would think it to be abnormal.”  There is a wide variety of worship styles, and I honestly don’t think the Lord is all that concerned about the style, but He is very concerned about the focus, content and  heart of our worship.

Yet, when I think of how church ought to be, I’m not even thinking about what we do so much, as I am thinking of what God does, or doesn’t do, for us.  We often say that if two or more are gathered in His name, He is there, but the qualifying factor is to be gathered in His name.  What we call, “in His name,” may not actually be in His name.  To gather in His name means that we gather in His authority, that is giving Him the absolute authority over us.

In the Old Testament book of Haggai, after the work on the temple had been completed, the Lord’s word was that He was going to shake the desire of the nations, so that they would come and seek His face at His house.  He said that He was going to fill the place with His glory.  Well, obviously that’s what every church needs, and it’s what every church ought to have, seeing as how the church of the first century surely had it, but the question is, what will bring that about?  Is there anything that we can do?  The answer is, yes, we can make the matter of seeking His presence in our lives the number one priority in our lives.  The rebuilding of the temple in Haggai’s day was about bringing back the presence of God.  God is with us, in the sense that He never leaves us, but we need Him to be with us in power and blessing, not just as a resident in the stable of our backsliden lives.

I would submit that this blessing of God’s approval is the critical factor that determines  whether or not anything of lasting and eternal value takes place in any church.  It is also true in our individual lives.  Oh, that God would shake our desires.