Church, Gym for the Soul

I didn't coin those words, it was someone much more famous then I. Believe it or not it was Sylvester Stallone, that's right ROCKY. I have not seen his latest Rocky Film, from what I hear and read it is very good.

I had to pause when I read those words...church, gym for the soul. Hmmm. It's catchy, but does it communicate truth? I think you can answer both ways depending on what you mean by "church." Dr. D posted a recent blog about preaching, specifically exegetically. I know it sounds like I just took a sharp left turn, but hang in there. These two things are connected.

I wonder how many people would look at Sunday morning service as a work out? If they would view it as a workout, what kind of work out? Would it be a light jog or more like the two a day practices I had when I played football? Maybe it would be one of those "I'm flexing in the mirror" work outs.

If, by church, we mean a gathering of people that sings songs and listens to some bloviating preacher talk about his latest vacation with the family for 25 minutes (20 is too short to be called a sermon, and by 30 everyone is sleeping) while he mixes in a couple of scriptures, then I think the church is more like Hollywood. The weights are made of Styrofoam and the muscles are some kind of body suite.

If, however, church means a body of believers who want desperately to pay homage to the God of the universe and worship Him for what He has done by singing songs and allowing God's word to cut them to the bone, then yes church is the gym for the soul.

Why do I say this? Dr. D's post about exegetical preaching is the very kind of thing the church needs. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind topical preaching as long as the approach is exegetical (they are not mutually exclusive). In other words let God's word interact with the people of God so they can be changed. Church should be a workout for the soul, not a self help seminar robed in religious jargon. You don't become physically fit by watching football (otherwise that would be my favorite excersize). You have to do the work if you want to reap the benefit. The famous former govorner of Minnesota said, "pain is weakness leaving the body." A few sore spiritual muscles would be good for most of the people sitting in pews or comfy chares on Sunday morning.