Mark 2:17 "Getting outside the Walls of the church?" with Pastor Michael Petit

Mark 2:17 ESV
And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

One question that came to me this week. Over my time being a follower of Christ has my relationships with unbelievers become less and my relationships with believers become more? Pretty simple question, but if we are honest in our answer many Christians have treated the church in two ways one a bomb shelter hiding from the world until the rapture or the church is my cruise ship ready to attend to my every need and entertain and serve me.  

Even before COVID hit the church many church goers treated the church as bomb shelter they only talked about Christ at the church. They were okay to just live a quiet secret agent life in Christ, never really sharing the gospel. They would talk about Jesus but only with other Christians. Now instead of the church becoming the bomb shelter it is the home that is shelter, due to COVID. Now some watch from the couch and have no desire to return to church anytime soon. They have gotten comfortable having coffee, eating breakfast and even scrolling through the phone as service is on the television not really fully engaged. Here in Texas you can go into pretty much any store with no mask and slowly things are returning to normal yet some are still not returned to church. How will you encourage one another when it is just you on the couch? How many neighbors have you invited for home online service? How will you share the gospel from the couch? 

Hebrews 10:25 ESV
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

We have many in the church that have same characteristics of the religious leaders during the time of Jesus. Religious leaders would never be caught with a tax collector or sinner. Jesus deals with the Religious leaders questioning him for having dinner with unbelievers. Yet it was the religious leaders that were in need of the a physician as well. They were outwardly religious but inwardly in need of a Savior. How many in the church have forgotten the call we have as believers to ambassadors for Christ?

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 ESV
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. [21] For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

When did we stop being ambassadors for Christ? Jesus did not just teach in the synagogues, but everyone looking for those in need of Him. You are a representation of Christ and Christ reclined with sinners for the purpose of sinner to being healed, to become righteous. Can not do that from the couch or the bomb shelter. We have to leave the walls of the church and get out talk with those who do not have a relationship with Christ. 

The other point is the church goers have neglected being the Salt & the Light because they treat the church as a cruise ship. What I mean by this is followers of Christ have bounced from one ship (church) to another. They look for the "Cruise Ship" to be served, entertained, look specialties ministries, celebrity pastors, worship leaders, concerts and even searching for a spouse. This is not what church is for, we have forgot the call and command (Matthew 28:19-20) to share the gospel and make disciples. 

Romans 1:16 ESV
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

In Mark 2:13,  Jesus "He went Out."  Doesn't seem like much is being said but in the verses before Jesus had booming ministry in the synagogue as he healed a demon possessed man, yet "He went out". Jesus had a booming ministry at Peter's house as the paralytic is lifted up and brought in through the roof, yet "He went Out". Jesus is doing ministry everywhere and trying to reach the lost. Why aren't you? Have you become to focused on what the cruise ship (church) is supposed to offer you? I remember we had someone leave the church because there wasn't enough singles in the church. The person was looking for a spouse and treating the church like a club a place to pick up women. It's unreal, but for many this is what the church has become. The church is actually a "Battleship" and your time on the battleship (church) is to strengthen, encourage, and even convict you. It is to prepare you to hit the missionary field. I love Calvary Chapel Houston they have a sign as you exit their parking lot that says "You are now entering the missionary field" it is so true. Every Sunday as you leave the doors of the church you are heading into the missionary field. Are you being the Salt and the Light in this dark world?

Matthew 5:13-16 ESV
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. [14] “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Stop looking for the church to be your "Cruise Ship" stop looking to be served and entertained. Stop jumping from ship (church) to ship (church). Get involved serve and share Christ where you are at. It is time for the church to get back out and share the gospel. Who is a sinner? We all are and we all are in need of a physician, Jesus. You have the message to save them from an eternity in hell, why wouldn't you share it? It is time for the followers of Christ to come outside the walls of the church and off the cruise ship back into the missionary field, which right outside the doors of your church, house, work and stores. This why we as church want to be involved in the Cactus Fest coming November it is opportunity to love on community and share the love of Christ. 

Pastor Michael Petit