As His Custom Was!

"And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read."  Luke 4:16


Jesus went to church!  I know that really means He went to synagogue, but the point is that He fellowshipped with others weekly.  He was in worship service as a matter of habit.  He went faithfully!


So many today are doing just the opposite of what Jesus did.  It has become such an epidemic that many churches are closing their doors at times they when they once worshiped.  I have talked to many discouraged pastors and members lately who lament over the vast numbers of folks who simply don't attend church as faithfully as they once did.  It appears that they have become bored with their Savior.  Like the Israelites in the wilderness, they loathe this Manna all the time.     


If we are to follow Jesus don't you think that He would lead us to a place of corporate worship and prayer on a consistent basis?  He was ever faithful to His Father's house, so why wouldn't He?  Where was He when His parents could not find Him after a trip to Jerusalem?  When He left the crowds and crossed the lake where did they find Him? (John 6:59)  Read the gospels again and count the miracles, signs, and wonders that Jesus did while in the church!  Don't just wear a bracelet or a T-shirt with a catchy acronym--let the Spirit lead you to live as Jesus did.  


He went when it was convenient and when it wasn't.  He went when He was threatened and mocked or when treated with honor.  He went with hypocrites and demons in the congregation and when the house was full of saints. He went when life was peaceful as well as when life was turbulent. He went when the people were amazed at Him and when they wanted to throw Him out.  Jesus didn't make excuses!  


He wasn't there to impress.  He didn't just go because He had a position.  He was not there to be seen.  He went when it was "boring" and when there was great excitement.  He was in church!


Be like your savior! Let it be said of you, "As his/her custom is."


Don't be a church forsaking "saint?"


  "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."  Hebrews 10:25