And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him. Luke 21:37-38 [ESV]
One of the things that Marianne and I were talking about today was the idea and execution of ‘Seeker Services’ at some churches. The heart of this I believe is genuine but the ‘de-controversializing’ of the Word of God for a service to ‘attract’ nonbelievers is not biblical (at least from my study of God’s Word). As I was finishing Luke 21 today, I felt like God was giving me a little affirmation of this stance. “All the people came to Him in the temple to hear Him.” We know that Jesus had very controversial things to say, and He pulled no punches when it came to proclaiming truth and teaching those who came to listen.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
John 14:6-7 [ESV]
The Father calls those whom He wills to Himself. If we stay true to His Word (which is a tenant of Canyon Hills Community Church), then the Lord will bring them. The other risk these churches run is new believers never transitioning to deeper (more direct truth) services that church may offer. Making more and better disciples is the mission of our church, and everything we do is based on that premise. From our main services to the School of Discipleship, youth/men’s/women’s ministries, and even Life Groups. Based on John 14:7 above, we cannot understand the Father unless we know the Son. What the Son had to say never restrained from the full message.
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
John 6:44 [ESV]