The Dead And Dying

There is a Church building in Treysa, Germany, that stands with a stately tower and lovely windows. It is over 500 years old. Yet, since 1531, this church has been used only for burial services! Not surprisingly, this church is called "The Church of the Dead."

When I think of it, I believe I preached for that church once in my career of ministering.

Clarence McCartney, an old time preacher, was once invited to preach in a large metropolitan denomination. On his first visit to that church, he noticed that outside and above the front door was a sign which read, "Jesus Only." He was impressed. Here was finally a congregation who was committed to serving Jesus.

When he moved there, however, the first thing he learned was that his people were self-centered and lazy.

In his third year working with at that church, a huge storm hit that town. It didn't damage the church building, but it did destroy the sign. It ripped off the letters "JES" and left only the words "US ONLY." McCartney told his congregation the next Sunday that he wishes they would leave the sign alone because it better described that church than the first sign did.

God doesn't need a dead church centered around itself. In Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus removed many a church's candlestick because it didn't live up to its high calling.

Nothing is uglier than a dead, self-centered congregation; and nothing is more beautiful than a living, serving one. May Union Valley be alive and loving all of its days. And may Jesus Christ be glorified!

Numbers 6:24-26 (New International Version)

24 "The LORD bless you
and keep you;

25 the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;

26 the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace."

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