By now you have probably noticed the phrases posted above the doors as you enter and exit the auditorium: “Enter Hungry” and “Exit Looking More Like Jesus.” Thanks to Kendra for designing and placing these important reminders for each of us. Let’s take a minute or two to consider each one.
“Enter Hungry.” What is our motivation for attending the gatherings of the church? I hope we enter hungry for the encouragement we receive from and provide for our fellow believers. Both giving and receiving are vitally important. If my hunger is only for what I can get out of the service or how my needs are going to be met, then I may be satisfied but others may be missing out on what they need. I hope we enter hungry to serve one another and not just to be served. I hope we enter hungry for the word of God. That’s the diet believers need and that is why we emphasize the Scriptures in our teaching. I hope we enter hungry to worship God and not ourselves. The focus of worship is not entertainment or putting on a flawless performance. It is flawed people joining together to offer their hearts to the only One worthy of our worship.
“Exit Looking More Like Jesus.” The filling we receive when we gather together has a purpose. When we encourage, serve, learn, and worship together, we are preparing to be more like our Savior. The purpose isn’t just to satisfy our spiritual hunger. When we are spiritually nourished, we are better able to share with hungry people around us. Jesus is the bread of life (John 6:35,48,51). When we look, live, and serve like Jesus, we become bread dispensers. Jesus told Philip that “Anyone who has seen Me the Father” (John 14:9). Hopefully, when the world sees us as disciples, they can see Jesus. I pray that we can be hungry for fellowship, service, learning, and worship. I also pray that all of that helps us look more like Jesus to the world around us.
God loves you!
Mike
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