Should a Church Mark Attendance?
One day a shepherd counts his sheep. He expects to find 100 in his flock, but is dismayed to discover that one of the flock is missing. Motivated by the danger to the sheep and the loss to himself, the shepherd takes immediate action to restore this sheep to its proper place in the fold.
How did the Shepherd know that the sheep was missing?
He counted. In other words, he took attendance.
Attendance is a major step towards a proper follow-up procedure
1.The Health of the Congregation
A decrease in attendance may signal to church leadership that many in the congregation are backsliding away from the things of God. It’s time to take serious notice. A poor worship attendance very likely indicates members are becoming disconnected from the body of Christ.
When a church is around 50 members or so, it is easy to know who has was present and who was not. But when a church grows beyond the 100 mark, it becomes difficult to keep a proper track. A full auditorium can hide the fact that some members have backslidden if proper attendance is not being maintained.
2.Outreach
Tracking attendance of individuals allows the Pastors and leaders to reach out to those members who could not make it. Home or hospital visits can be then planned.
The Value of One Sheep to the Shepherd
Just one sheep was missing, yet the shepherd still went. Another shepherd might have counted the personal cost and decided to let that one sheep go and be lost forever. But, this shepherd saw the value in just one sheep and he went after it.
Note: Jesus, the Good Shepherd, came to this world to die for the lost sheep - Luke 19:10. I am convinced that Jesus Christ came into this world to die because He deemed every lost soul precious
The Compassion of the Shepherd
This sheep may have wandered away from the shepherd, but it was still precious to Him. He cared about that one little lost sheep.
The love of God for those who are lost.
The Commitment of the Shepherd
1.A sacrificial commitment - For the shepherd, the search was dangerous and death was a possibility.
2.A commitment to success - The shepherd did not stop until his mission had been completed and the sheep had been found! Jesus did not stop on His quest until He was able to cry, “It is finished”,
The Shepherd Rejoicing
This shepherd was able to rejoice with his friends and neighbors because his lost sheep was found. He was overjoyed with the rescue of this one, lost sheep.
Note: Lord Jesus makes it clear that Heaven gets excited about the salvation of just ONE lost soul! Why? Because fellowship has been restored, Ephesians 2:12-17; Job 9:33.
The joy of God over those who repent
The Parable of the Lost Coin
In that day, married women wore a headband that was made up of coins strung together. These coins were typically given to the bride by her father when she was married. This headband served several functions in the life of the married woman of that time.
1. It declared her status as a married woman. It told other men that she was unavailable. It served the same purpose as our wedding ring.
2. Those coins also declared her independence. They were a constant reminder to her husband that if he divorced her, she was able to make a fresh start. She might be his wife, but she could make it without him. This one coin was the equivalent of 1 day's wages. Evidently, she and her husband were very poor, because she only possessed 10 coins. Many wealthy women wore headbands comprised of dozens of coins.
1. She valued the coin
2. She lit a lamp because of the darkness - the lit light assisted her in her search for the coin
3. Her search was not casual but intense
4. She Rejoicing
Learning From the School of Pain
There are times God wants us to feel the loss from our wrong choices. In Luke 15, the prodigal son “came to himself” when he became hungry. “He would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat,” (verse 16).
Pain can motivate you to grow. God may allow you to crash! If He cushioned every blow, you would never grow.
However, I assure you, your Father will not allow the suffering and ache to become a permanent feeling. He will use it to develop humility, a compassion for others and a reminder of why Jesus Christ died on Calvary for the sins of the world:
The Psalmist said: “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes,” (Psalm 119:71).
The father readily received his son into the home. He did not disown or disinherit him, nor did he try to re-establish relationship by shaming him in any way. The young man was a son not conditionally based on performance but unconditionally based on relationship. This story reflects the character of our heavenly Father, who does not manipulate us into obedience through shame.
The father placed his signet ring on the son's hand as a symbol of the special union between them. In those days, the signet ring was used to seal letters and important communications with authority similar to that of a corporate seal or a notary's stamp as used today. By placing the ring on his son's finger, the father made available to the boy the resources of his entire estate. The father also removed the son's ragged garments and clothed him in a beautiful robe, representative of the righteousness of Christ. He placed shoes on his feet, which confirmed his position as a son. Only sons wore shoes. Slaves went barefoot.
The actions of the younger son separated him from his father. The attitude of the older son alienated him from a loving relationship with his dad. If we are to experience the true nature of our Father's love, we must eliminate the actions and attitudes that prevent us from entering our inheritance.
Music and Dancing in the New Testament
There are many who say music and dancing is not mentioned in the New Testament. Take a look at the following verse.
"Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.'" (Luke 15:25, 32)
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