"We have come to worship Him..."

My first "official" service at Emmanuel Methodist Church, one of the two congregations forming what we refer to as the "Northern Societies". This morning's message was about the Magi who were led by the star to see the baby Jesus.

I had fun blowing one or two misconceptions out of the water, such as the fact that the Bible doesn't actually say that there were THREE wise men. Sure, we may sing the Christmas carol "We Three Kings", and there were three different gifts mentioned, so we tend to assume that the number of visitors was also three.

But the whole point of my message, which was based on Matthew 2:1-12, had nothing to do with whether they were three, or men, or wise - the point was their purpose: "Where is the One Who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east, and we have come to worship Him".

I challenged the congregation with these six words: "We have come to worship Him". Why do we go to church? Unless "we have come to worship Him", we have wasted our time.

Anyway, I thought I would also share some pics of the Emmanuel church building with my fellow bloggers...

This is the inside of the church. I would guess that it holds about 200 - 250 people. This morning it was about 80% full. Not bad for this time of the year!




















Here is Emmanuel from the outside. Straightforward and functional - just like a good Methodist Church should be!




















Check out this pulpit! By the time I had ascended it, I was so high up it felt like being back in Joburg!