It has been said that humans are creatures of habit. Many experts claim that we "crave" routine and stability. When we experience the daylight savings time change, it takes days to get our "inner clock" on the new time schedule. Indeed we are such creatures, we desire a life that is adventurous, as long as we are in bed by 9:00 p.m. It seems that this same adventure within reason mentality has infiltrated our spirit man as well.
We want our church to grow, but we don't want to invite people. We want the Gospel to spread, but we don't want to evangelize. We want our world to change, but we don't want to acknowledge our own impact. We want a new move of God's power in our generation, but we don't want to do anything that is uncomfortable. We want to be blessed, but we don't (under any circumstance) want to sacrifice! We have become so comfortable in our "ritual" that we are forgetting what is "real".
The only thing that is just as real today as it was 2000 years ago is the power of God. So, why are we choking this out of our modern worship services? Why are we so compelled to be an "easy grace" body, instead of the kind of body inspired by God's word? Because, everyone wants heaven and no one wants hell. Obviously no one wants to go to hell, but we are living in an age where people preach love without judgement. We tell people about heaven, but never warn them about hell. What society has defined as being "seeker friendly", God defines as being "luke warm".
It is time that we stop apologizing for the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, and start freeing Him to move on peoples hearts again. History will prove that there has not been anyone ever saved by the pews, the power point presentations, the colors of the sanctuary, the visitors station, etc.... What it does prove is that the only thing capable of invoking life change is the real unadulterated power of the Almighty God!
We want our church to grow, but we don't want to invite people. We want the Gospel to spread, but we don't want to evangelize. We want our world to change, but we don't want to acknowledge our own impact. We want a new move of God's power in our generation, but we don't want to do anything that is uncomfortable. We want to be blessed, but we don't (under any circumstance) want to sacrifice! We have become so comfortable in our "ritual" that we are forgetting what is "real".
The only thing that is just as real today as it was 2000 years ago is the power of God. So, why are we choking this out of our modern worship services? Why are we so compelled to be an "easy grace" body, instead of the kind of body inspired by God's word? Because, everyone wants heaven and no one wants hell. Obviously no one wants to go to hell, but we are living in an age where people preach love without judgement. We tell people about heaven, but never warn them about hell. What society has defined as being "seeker friendly", God defines as being "luke warm".
It is time that we stop apologizing for the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, and start freeing Him to move on peoples hearts again. History will prove that there has not been anyone ever saved by the pews, the power point presentations, the colors of the sanctuary, the visitors station, etc.... What it does prove is that the only thing capable of invoking life change is the real unadulterated power of the Almighty God!
Let's release Him to move!
3 comments:
This will make a mouth drop! Wow, This is very good... made my mouth drop, but it's very true. God is the only constant! I like it, makes me think!!!!!
Amen!!! It's time we "get" real instead of "acting" real!!! I believe that we've gotten so used to the "rituals" of our Worship services that we've been treating the presence of God casually. We have the mentality that it's just another Sunday Worship song, just another Sunday sermon,or just another time for "sister Virginia" to be slain in the Spirit. We've got to get rid of these ritualistic attitudes, and begin to be a reflection of a REAL God without the limitations of rituals.
Awesome, true words my Daughter! I am so proud of you. You not only preach it, but live it. MOM
Post a Comment