Is Jesus In The House?

PP2010-25

IS JESUS IN THE HOUSE? OR

SUPPOSING JESUS TO BE PRESENT!

Lu 2:41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. (KJV)

INTRODUCTION: This is a very strange happening – “….supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey;….” I can’t really imagine that happening. They took for granted that Jesus was in their presence. What a startling incident. They looked around and discovered that Jesus wasn’t with them. Jesus was missing. He wasn’t in their company. They supposed He was with them. All of their suppositions did not bring Him to them. He was miles back in Jerusalem and Joseph and Mary supposed He was with them.

I am aware that this church is not guilty of most of the things I am preaching about tonight, but it is just a warning, or maybe a confirmation of what you already do.

The word “supposing” has to do with ones imagination. Imagining a certain reality. Assuming a certain thing is true.

Many Baptist churches, many homes, and many individuals are in the same predicament of supposition today as was Joseph and Mary. Churches open their doors on Sunday morning to conduct religious services “supposing” Jesus will be in their midst. Yet there has been no agonizing prayer made for the services. There has been no sacrificial preparation – there is no expectation – no fasting - most just take for granted that Jesus will be there. If He was present most would be startled and surprised.

Many homes never conduct anything that is based on the Lord Jesus, yet they suppose Jesus to be in their home. The same is true with many individuals. Daily traveling through life “supposing Jesus to be in their company”.

He is miles and miles away from them. The sad thing most of these churches never discover that Jesus is not present. They go right on like He was there assuming that He is in their midst. That says that most churches do not need Jesus’ presence to conduct services. What a sad, sad awakening to not know that Jesus is in the house – or maybe I should say – to know that He isn’t in the house.

What are some things that would keep Jesus from being in the company of any given church?

I. THE WRONG MOTIVE

A. Our Motive Or Purpose Must Be To Glorify God.

We come to make the Lord Jesus the center part of the service. The service is not for you and I, but for Christ. Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (KJV) That means that if He isn’t here then we are wasting our time.

Some churches and some Christians look at church as a place to ONLY meet new people and enjoy fellowship with them. That is the wrong reason. I didn’t say it was wrong to make friends at church – it is wrong to make that the reason for going to a certain church.

Some look at church as a nice ornate building with stained glass windows and a huge magnificent steeple. That’s also the wrong concept of church.

One Sunday morning, when we were in the store front building, a man called and asked where the church was located. I told him where it was, and a few minutes later he called back again asking again for the address. I told him again. After a few minutes he called the third time and I gave more detailed directions. I then watched out the front door thinking I could see him and let him know he was in the right place. Soon a car drove by and stopped. I went out to meet him and he asked me if I knew where BHBC was. I told him he was here. He looked around at the store front and said, “This ain’t no church”, and got in his car and drove off. He had the wrong conception of what a church is.