Church is not supposed to be a museum for the saints, a cheap grace gathering, a bless me club or a hotbed for temple commerce. God designed His Church to be the living expression of Jesus Christ on earth, to corporately pour forth His rivers of living water. Church should be a beacon in the world’s darkness, a hospital for the hurting, a refuge for sinners, a place for people to come to know and grow in God. The first century church evangelized the world, without denominations, buildings, organizations, corporate structure, by-laws, formalized training/ordination; etc., relying singularly upon the energizing power of the Holy Spirit. They loved compassionately, obeyed fervently, were passionate about the Father’s heart, and demonstrated radical generosity, sacrificing what little they had with no concern about tomorrow. It was their radical, selfless, outwardly directed lifestyle, focusing on contributing not consuming, that should humble us by comparison. At a time when wearing the “Christian” label could mean torture or death, they openly demonstrated their faith with love. They didn’t just nod their heads at “Love not the world”, they lived it. And God manifested Himself!
Billy Graham once said if the Holy Spirit were removed from the modern church 95% of the activity would continue unabated. He may have understated the percentage but his point is the point. Man’s church, as typified by the modern church, is formal structure and hierarchy with an over abiding concern for buildings, programs and formulas, form without substance, manmade, scripted and controlled by man. Gatherings are conducted by church leaders who stifle the Holy Spirit with liturgical structure while attempting to placate an “audience” of believers. Creature comforts, seeker sensitivity, and cultural relevance are the watchwords: Make the experience pleasant and people will become members.
God’s church, as typified by the first century church, is unstructured substance without form, God breathed, scripted and empowered by God the Holy Spirit, and aglow with operational unity. Gatherings are conducted by the Holy Spirit who orchestrates the assembly into a beautiful symphony, each person participating in the composition like a living instrument, sharing a song, teaching, exhortation or revelation as living water pouring forth from their innermost being. The presence of God and the power out flowing from His resurrection are the watchwords: Make the experience supernatural and people will be drawn to Christ, submit to salvation and lordship, becoming disciples. And the supernatural manifestations … that’s God’s calling card saying I’m here!
LOVE, SACRIFICE, PASSION, AND OBEDIENCE
THE RULE
NOT THE EXCEPTION
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