Are You a "Chreaster?"

Chuckle: "Why are you so excited?," the surgeon asked the patient that was about to be anesthetized. "But doc, this is my first operation." "Really? It's mine too, and I am not excited at all."

Quote: "A Christian who says he worships God every Sunday morning on the golf course is really worshiping golf on God's course." --Unknown

ARE YOU A "CHREASTER?"

"Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:24-25 MSG).

Another wonderful Easter has come and gone. What an amazing event we celebrate -- our Lord's glorious resurrection from the dead that first Easter morning. I hope you were filled with joy, awe, and thanksgiving as you participated in worship and other celebratory activities with other Christians in your church congregation. I also hope your reflection on God's amazing love, grace, and mercy that made our eternal salvation a reality, by the atoning blood sacrifice of Jesus and His resurrection, results in your having a closer love relationship and fellowship with Him.

On the Monday following Easter Sunday, I was in a meeting with pastors and other church leaders. One topic of discussion among pastors was the attendance at Easter services. I heard a pastor use the term, "Chreasters" to describe the large numbers of "Christians" who only attend church services on Christmas and Easter. I rejoiced to hear another pastor say something like this: "I'm just thankful they attend even if it is only at Christmas and Easter. At least they hear the gospel message as we celebrate the two most significant events of Christendom." I pray you are not even close to being a "Chreaster," but that you are faithful in attending worship services and other activities of your church each week. Our passage tells us not to avoid worshiping together.

"An athlete who desires to be effective on game day must first be properly trained. If he does not spend many hours developing his skills, he will not be able to accomplish all that he wishes when it is time to play the game.
Any Christian who desires to be effective in the work of ministry must realize that the public moment of any effective ministry is always preceded by many hours of careful preparation. Effective ministry will never be done by a weak and unhealthy church whose members neglect regular participation and sacrificial service." --Unknown Author

As was the case when our passage was written, anti-Christian forces in our society are getting stronger and persecution of Christians is becoming commonplace around the world. Faithfulness in participation in corporate worship will strengthen you in your faith, encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ, and prepare you to defend your Christian convictions. No one knows exactly when Christ will return; however, the fact that He promises to return should motivate us all the more to be faithful in our participation in worship and other ministries of our churches.

Love, Jerry & Dotse