LOWER

   LIGHTS

  Alan Jones, Editor

  (734) 942-7956

    I received an invitation from an area church last Fall that is so typical of the approach many churches are using to bring people to church.  The invitation begins with what surely is a sad, but true fact, “Let’s face it…many people aren’t active in church these days.”  Along with the invitation to church services, there were several brochures offering recreational and social activities to the community in an effort to bring them out to church.

            Everyone was invited to a Pumpkin Festival that was to include a 3 on 3- basketball tournament and a roller blade hockey tournament.  In addition the Festival featured games, face painting, fun prizes, a straw fight and free refreshments   And, surely a delight for the little ones would have been a ride on “Pumpky’s train”. 

            The church advertised many ongoing groups.  A Kid’s Club was promoted as having upbeat music, games and crafts. A Youth Group offered Cedar Point, concerts, camp, paintball, and lock-ins.  Everyone was invited to a monthly Craft Night.  And, a ladies group, “Fellowship” pro-mised “a warm atmosphere to connect with women from your area and form lasting friendships” and their activities include “shopping retreats”.

            Jesus said, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”  John explains, “But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die.” (Jn 12:

Why aren’t more people drawn to Jesus by the magnet of His Cross?  The problem is not in the magnet, but in those who fail to be attracted.  Wood and plastic are not attracted to a magnet.  The drawing power is there.  The problem is in the nature of the materials.  Many people are not attracted to the message of Jesus and Him crucified because they see no need for salvation.  The Cross means nothing to the person who does not understand the problem of sin and its consequences.

  Paul’s letter to the Romans  explains in great detail the message of the cross. The first three chapters are spent proving one point, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). How sad it is that so few people today stop to think about and apply the truths in Romans 1-3: 

  God is man’s Creator.  His creation shows His existence and greatness.  Man has no excuse if He does not thank and worship God.  Man must obey God’s moral requirements.  Man is accountable to God for the way that he lives and will face God’s judgment of his actions.  All men have failed to obey God’s moral requirements and so face the prospects of eternal separation from Him.

  Failure to meditate on these truths has caused men to be like wood and plastic to the magnet of Jesus’ Cross.  When men realize these truths, they   become   like   iron,    drawn