Stop Going To Church

God’s highest calling for us was never for us to “go to church”. God’s highest calling for us isn’t a destination…God’s highest calling is an identity! God doesn’t call us to GO TO church, He calls us TO BE the church. 

Psalm 92:12–15 “The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.”

The psalmist says that those who are planted in the house of the Lord will flourish. Far too many people that attend church are not spiritually flourishing…they are spiritually floundering. I believe it’s time to stop going to church and start being planted in the church so we can be the church where we live, work, and play. 

I love the imaginary the psalmist gives for those who are planted in the house of the Lord. He says they will flourish, thrive, and grow like the cedar and the palm. You see, cedar trees are known for being strong and durable. And palm trees are symbolic of triumph and victory. What he’s saying is that when we’re planted in the house of the Lord we will be strong, stable, triumphant & victorious! 

According to the prophet Jeremiah, two things happen in our lives when we are planted in the house of the Lord. 

Jeremiah 17:7–8 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

1) Our Roots Grow Deep

We are able to withstand the trials and storms of life because our deep roots are connected to God and intertwined with other Christ followers. Being planted in the house of the Lord gives us a support system beneath the surface that is able to sustain anything that happens to us above the surface. 

2) We Will Bear Fruit

When you’re planted, you will produce fruit. And the fruit God produces in and through us is supernatural fruit. The Apostle Paul said the fruit God grows in us is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). 

Until we stop going to church and start being planted in the church…it will be very difficult to thrive spiritually, be conformed to the image of Jesus, and truly be His disciples. 

Those who are planted in house of Lord will flourish. Regardless of what you’ve done in the past, now is the best time for you to be planted in the house of the Lord! And when you do, God will empower you to flourish like a strong cedar & triumphant palm.