Your Attention Please!

Often at a ballgame, in the store, or even at work, a voice will come over the loudspeaker saying, "Your attention please." That is followed by some important announcement. But in order to make the important announcement, the announcer feels the need to get the attention of people. Christianity is no different.

On the back page of this bulletin is an ad about winning the world for Christ and how that begins in our own community. The purpose of it is to show that we need to spread the gospel right here in our own county and let it spread from there. But if we are to teach the gospel in our beloved town, we must first get the town's attention. Everyone knows that.

The question becomes what are we getting their attention to. Are we going to win our community by putting on a show? Do we put on an "area-wide golf tournament" or open a "restaurant?" Do we try to be like all the other churches? "Everybody is doing it" seems a poor way to show people that "few" will be saved (Matthew 7:14.) This week we received an announcement from a church that is having an "area-wide" singing at their building. They were also quick to add the "desserts and drinks will be served during the break." One has to wonder that they wanted Christ there but if He was really top on the list.

Christians must always remember that the power is in the product. Paul said, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation..." (Romans 1:16.) It is the gospel that saves and our job is to preach the simple truth. A Christian does not need a trumpet to herald his work for by just showing the power of the gospel in his life will cause others to glorify the Father (Matthew 5:16.) A church is a "city set on a hill" but it does not need a lighted billboard to show everyone that the circus is in town. Our work for the Lord is light enough. This is how we should say, "your attention please."

Sadly, many in our own community will not pay attention to the simple truth of God. Their loyalties lie elsewhere-either in their traditional teaching or in entertainment. Christians can and should enjoy the company of one another but when that becomes our big "attention-getter" we have left Christ out. We may want to use gimmicks to get them here to teach them but how would Christ feel about that? Wouldn't he feel He was not important enough to get their attention?

Maybe we could put on an area wide potluck or something but only attention to Christ will save. Our focus should be on Him only and completely.