"Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools; for they considered not that they do evil".
Recently, as I stood in our churchyard, a woman drove up and began asking questions about the time of our services. I told her the times, and she reflected a moment saying, "Well, maybe we'll come to one of the services."
All I could think to say was, "Yes, ma'am, maybe you will and maybe you won't. If the Lord allows you to come, you will; and if He does not, you won't." Well, she surely didn't understand an answer like that. She had expected the usual answer of preachers today: "I do hope you will attend. It would be a privilege to have you attend. It would be a great privilege to have you in the church. I'm certain you would enjoy being here."
Wait a minute! Who is the privileged one? What is "going to church" all about anyway? Is it an effort to get as many to attend as possible by making then think they have done the church and the Lord Jesus Christ a great favor by "deciding" to "go to church"? Then when they show up the preacher spends a great deal of time letting them know that the day would have been wasted if they had not put in an appearance. They fill out cards, are recognized, and bragged on until it seems that the church has just been waiting all these years for their arrival. Now the church can go on. Finally, the magnificient visitors have condescended to favor us with their presence. Do you get the picture?
Now, I am not advocating that we should put them in a dark corner and ignor them. But I am saying that it is high time that these infrequent "vistors" should know that they are the privileged ones. Why? Well, here is a group of God's people, who for years have faithfully paid the bills, supported the Gospel of Christ, and maintained a place where God Almighty is the glory and delight of His church. They come in eagerness to hear from Him. It seems to me that if anyone is to thank someone for being there, then the "visitors" should be the thankful ones.
How refreshing it would be for the preacher to say, "Now, visitors, you don't forget to thank these faithful servants of God who have provided you a place to come and hear the Gospel of Christ." That certainly would turn it upside down. The "visitors" would more than likely look for another place where they are more appreciated. At any rate, perhaps some would get the idea that the Almighty has greatly privileged them in allowing them to hear of His Blessed Son, The Lord Jesus Christ. He certainly is not obligated to even give any person a Word from heaven. Thank God, by His grace, we are privileged to hear Him speak of His great redemption in the Blood of Christ.
Isn't this what it's all about? Or is it a fluttering and a flurry to be sure the "visitors" like everything and will come back? And maybe we'll get 'em to jine up, and our "church roll" (whatever that is) will grow. We, perhaps, will have 1,000 on this magical "church roll" and if we impress just right, we might even get 100 to attend on Sunday morning. Maybe 50 would show on Sunday night and enough at wednesday prayer meeting to have two tables of domino players after "church."
What I am saying here is simply this. Let's be kind and friendly, but let's quit making people swell with pride by giving them the idea that God Almighty is glad when He manages to get them to "go to church".
To attend the worship of our Sovereign Redeemer, who purchased us with His own Blood, and to hear Him speak through His Word is a high privilege. Thank His holy Name; He has blessed men by allowing them to even think on Him, much more to worship Him.
Yes, "visitors" are welcome. But I thought it was time to put this thing in perspective, and perhaps, in God's good pleasure, some "visitors" would see how greatly God has privileged them. Amen?