WSGMA Chaplain's Corner
June 2018 GOTTA GO
DO YOUEVER FIND YOURSELF EXPRSSING CONCERN OVER THE ABSENCE OF MANY OF WHO SHOULD BE BUT ARE NOT IN CHURCH????
I wonder how many children hear, ” C’mon, gotta go to church?” on Sunday mornings. Or, what is likely, instead… “It’s Sunday, we get to with Jesus!!!!” (JOHN 15:15) As God’s people, we don’t just go to church; we are the church!!!! We don’t just worship in a building; we are ”God’s building” (I COR.3:9), a holy temple unto the Lord” (EPH. 2:21). As God’s building, we need a foundation; we also need other bricks. (HEB.10:23-25).
We MUST be ”built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets (of the Bible),with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone” (Eph. 2:19-22). If a group calls itself a church but ignores the Bible (or picks and choose what it uses and doesn’t proclaim Jesus as God and as the ONLY way to be saved, that group is not a part of God people. Don’t join it. However, do seek and find a church that will show you things about Jesus that you can’t see on your own and which will steer you away from errors that you’d make on your own. WE ALL need the authority of “the church of the living God,” the pillar and foundation of the truth” (II TIM. 3:16-17), AND the impact of Scripture which makes people complete and thoroughly equipped… spiritually proficient, prepared and productive,and able to accomplish every good work that God desires.
In the true church, you are part of a building with a firm foundation,and you are one among many bricks. One brick alone does not make a building. Jesus uses a wonderful variety of ”bricks,” people from many different backgrounds, to build His church. “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house,” (I PETER 2:5) built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit (EPH. 2:22).
This is why the Word says, Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another” (HEB. 10:25). When we fail to come together for instruction and encouragement, we become spiritually weak. This can have devastating consequences.
In fact, it will!!!!!!
Rev. Dick Hilleary is a co-founder of the Western Gospel Association, known today as the Western States Gospel Music Association and acts as its Chaplin. With a lifetime of musical experience as a soloist and quartet member, Rev. Hilleary has appeared with some of the most recognized names in southern gospel music. As a skilled lecturer and recognized 'Master of Ceremonies' for national music conventions, Rev. Hilleary has received the prestigious "Communication and Leadership Award" from Toastmasters International. A pastor / teacher of 35 years, today Rev. Hilleary's passion is for preserving southern gospel music on the west coast and ministering to those committed to keeping that music and ministry alive for the body of Christ.