John 21:17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

You and I have both heard of people stating that they left a church because they weren’t being fed.  What exactly does that mean?  … not being fed …

Maybe the worship doesn’t make us fall to our knees or shout out in joy.

Maybe the teaching didn’t address our most urgent need.

Maybe the opening prayer sounded a little too recited.

Maybe the offering … always taking but never giving.

Maybe nobody said, “hi” or “thanks for being here” or “can I pray for you” on the way in our out.

… and that’s why the color yellow makes me sad.

You know what makes me sad?

Christians who want the pastors, teachers, leaders, ushers, nursery workers and everybody else to give something, while they sit in a pew and offer nothing in return to God or to their brothers and sisters.

If you’re not a new believer, then each of us should be bringing something more than, what can you, church, do for me today.

What are we doing for the (not our) church?

Did I pray for someone who needed it?

Did I say thanks to the pastor for his time and effort preparing to face a group of possibly ungrateful people?

Did I share a verse with someone who needed some encouragement?

Did I even notice what the Holy Spirit was doing in the service all around me?

Have I volunteered to stack chairs (thanks Tim Hawkins)?

1Corinthians 14:26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.

When we feel like our church is not feeding us, it is more likely we are not feeding the church. Probably we are not feeding ourselves.  Have I prayed today? Have I read the Word today? Have I listened to a teaching today? Have I meditated on God’s goodness, kindness, mercy, grace, forgiveness, or love today? Have I even looked outside the window and noticed God’s creation all around?

Do you love Jesus (as Jesus asked Peter)?  Then feed His sheep.  I know you’re not the pastor, neither am I.  But we don’t have to be to share a verse or a song or word of encouragement to a brother or sister.  Let’s start with that so that “the church may be built up.”