WHY DO PEOPLE LEAVE?
Is it Jesus they leave? Or Religion.
Dear Reader,
What an extraordinary time of year! I spend less time in “taverns” and more time outside. I bet you do too!
But taverns take many forms.
When Paul landed in Three Taverns (Acts 28:15) he was encouraged by other believers while he was on his way as a prisoner to stand before Caesar and announce “There is another King!”
We find encouragement in taverns all around us as we navigate this life. Church gatherings, home groups, cigar shops, family gatherings, book clubs, sports teams, fishing excursions, etc. we all need to find our place and our tribe.
WHY DO PEOPLE LEAVE JESUS?
Rather than write my own article this week, I found this one to be very insightful. I agree wholeheartedly with it. Some of you have heard me say these very things. I have watched hours of "deconversion” videos where people are talking about how they left Christianity to find “truth” and meaning outside of religion.
I have listened carefully to try to discern what they are saying and I have found a common missing message in all of them: they never say they left Jesus. They left “christianity” and they talk about how involved they were in “ministry” and organized religious institutions.
But I never hear them talk about Jesus Himself.
I did not sign up for an “ity” or an Institution! Christianity is every bit as much a religion as Islam or Hinduism. But Jesus Christ is a PERSON. He is known personally, not as part of a herd or group-think.
I don’t doubt the sincerity of the people making these claims. But sincerity is not salvation. Salvation is a Savior, not a set of tenets you affirm.
Listen to what scripture says about sincere religious seekers (Romans 10-1-4, NLT):
Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.
Give this article a read and I hope you are encouraged as I was.
The Real Reason People Quit Jesus.
CHRIST IN CULLEOKA!
April 20, Resurrection Celebration Sunday we will have Anthony Skinner and Michael Farren leading worship with us, along with SWC’s own Scott Mangle and Katee Simmons.
Anthony and Michael are great friends of mine, accomplished songwriters and worship leaders, but most of all they love Jesus Christ and have a deep well of experience in their walk with Christ.
We meet at 11:30am in the Glendale Methodist church building at 1423 Culleoka Hwy, five minutes off of I-65 South. Great time to meet for a relaxed Sunday morning!
Some of you have been looking for a New Covenant group to walk with.
We welcome you to come along in our journey with Jesus building His church that overcomes the gates of hell.
TAVERN TALKS TUESDAY
Each Tuesday morning at 7am you will find 25-40 men gathered to hear each other’s stories, to encourage one another, to teach scripture and pray together.
This gathering is at The Mission Cigar & Social in Spring Hill.
Taverns Talks is about our stories and God’s story. It’s not about perfect people with perfect stories but authentic working out this salvation in our lives.
One recent attendee sent me this text after our last meeting: “Thank you for making me feel so welcome. I am already looking forward to next week!”
Bring your coffee, your Bible, Febreze if you go to the office after, an open mind and open heart. You can purchase a cigar as well to enjoy your first cigar of the day.
We are really grateful to Mark, Monte and Willie for opening up The Mission early each Tuesday and participating in Tavern Talks!
Looking Up! (Luke 21:28)
Tod Bell
P.S. Know this One Guy!
