Sunday evening at our assembly meeting we had a very good time of fun, fellowship and sharing. We had a discussion about the comparison of the church to a gas station. We discussed the previous comparisons in the blog post below. Afterwards, everyone added a few comparisons of their own. It was neat to hear all the various things that people came up with. It was truly a group effort and the young people had some awesome ideas. From the youngest (8 yrs) to the oldest (late 70s), everyone had something to share.Below are 21 additional comparisons that we came up with:
(1) There is always someone there to help you – You can call and someone will be there. – I can call on Jesus anytime!
(2) There are different kinds of fuel available at the pump – During an assembly meeting, there are different kinds of spiritual inspiration, i.e... singing, preaching, and testifying - everything you need to fill up!
(3) There is self service or full service. You can choose which service you want. – Sometime you can get everything you need from an assembly meeting on your own, but other times you might need some help from others.
(4) You pay in cash or credit card – Sometimes you have something immediately to share (cash) and we are rich in our experience, but other times you may have to borrow and run on credit (we get our needs met and we contribute later at another assembly meeting)
(5) You need to be careful of what station you choose because some owners water down the gas. – In some assemblies, they water down the Word. Water (our own ideas, traditions, compromise, false teaching, personal convictions, etc...) in the gas line causes damage and you pay the price later with “spiritual malfunctions”
(6) There are some needy people who hang around gas stations (street people, homeless) – We should be aware of the needy that come in among us and help them when possible.
(7) Gas stations have air pumps to inflate your tires – The assembly can add air (life) to our walk with God.
(8) Everyone’s tank is not the same size. Some don’t need as much to “fill” them up. – New converts don’t require as much to fill them as older established.
(9) It doesn’t take long to fill up. Fuel comes out quickly – If you lack wisdom ask God and He will give liberally. We do not need 2 hour lectures every week. With the anointing of the Spirit and the proper preparation, some people can say more in 20 minutes than others do in 2 hours.
(10) A gas station is lit up at night – We are a light in a dark world, but yet we are the light of the world.
(11) Although you cannot see them, the attendant can speak to you while you are filling up and they control the gas pumps. – The Holy Spirit speaks to us while in assembly and He is in control of our meetings
(12) Gas stations are open until late and some are even open 24/7 – God is there for us whenever we need Him. As saints, we should always be available to help others in time of need.
(13) There are multiple gas stations located throughout a town – You can have an assembly meeting anywhere - a park, a home, a conference room, a chapel, etc… You don’t always have to go to the same location. “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I will be with them”
(14) A gas station has trash cans and a garbage disposal – If you need to get rid of something in your life, you can do it at an assembly meeting.
(15) At gas stations, all are welcome – At assembly meetings, all are welcome, sinners and saints.
(16) Gas stations serve junk food as well as good food. – Some assemblies serve bad spiritual food along with good food.
(17) Full service gas stations have car washes. – Assembly meetings are places where we can be made clean by the water of the Word and sinners can be cleansed from their sin.
(18) The gas station has a roof over the filling station so it can protect you from the weather. – Assemblies should be a place where we can find protection from the storms of life.
(19) Full service gas stations have restaurants to provide you with energy as you go along your journey – Assemblies provide us with an atmosphere where we can get our souls feed as we journey along the path of life
(20) Gas stations provide salt – At assembly meetings, we should be given everything we need in order for us to be the salt of the earth.
(21) Gas stations have buffers beside the gas pumps to prevent wreaks and crashes into our source of fuel - The Word and the Spirit are pillars and serve as protection against false doctrine and false spirits that would try to cause havoc in an assembly meeting
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Great comparisons! Thanks for sharing your thoughts (and eveyone else's) with us. :o) Sometimes we can go to the gas station and the gas has been sold out. Sometimes, if we're not careful, we can attend a dead service and our soul will not be feed.
ReplyDeleteThose are some really well thought out things...gives me something to think on...Thanks!
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