The Old Country Church

 

The Old Country Church

There is something about an old country church sitting silent, for the most part, beside a narrow country road. Once a booming center of religious and social gatherings, it heard praises to God within. All open door services produced a “standing room” only gathering. Lately it witness only a handful of dedicated worshipers. Covid-19 has reduced the masked attendees or eliminated them altogether. Fear and legal restraints, devil work, has all but canceled the worship of God in full contact meetings. There is thus no atmosphere of unity in gatherings. God might well ask “where have all my children gone?” Well, they’ve gone to internet, television, parking lots and homes, most every one.

Acts 20:7 “When the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. 8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. 9  And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.”

The house was full. Paul was weary. This lad listened as long as his body allowed, then fell. God restored his life through Paul. That was a great church meeting. Later service gatherings gives Peter voice:

Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”

Wow! What a first mighty service the baby church had. The threat of annihilation by the Jews was ever present but God’s word continued uninterrupted.

Acts 12:1”Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. [Worse than Corona Virus restrictions].

Acts 14:27 “And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.”

Acts 20:28 “Take heed therefore unto yourselves,...”

Colossians 1:24 “...and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:”

Ephesians 3:10 “:To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 

Ephesians 3:21 “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.