Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. (Acts 6:1-3 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Do Church
I had lost my job, and my career. Bills annoyingly continued to arrive, and our income was not enough to balance our checkbook. My personal and private life were portraits of shame, embarrassment, and insecurity.
What did we do? We went to church.
I am not bragging. I am not claiming piety. I simply did not believe I had any other thing to do.
Even though church MIGHT have been seen as something that added to my troubles… we did church.
The apostles had plenty of troubles. Political and religious persecution were daily events. While God HAD granted them faith, they had plenty of reasons to be insecure, uncomfortable, and afraid.
“Let’s wait till things calm down,” they might have said.
“Let’s let the storms of political and religious oppression blow themselves out,” they might have said.
“Let’s avoid more conflict, more trauma, more turmoil, and more work,” they might have said.
But instead, they did church.
After their fears… they did the work of Christ on earth.
They made sure the gospel was presented, and they made sure the practical work of the church was done.
Isn’t church the usual way God deals with the aftereffects of fear?
Fear not, then do church.