Everyone seems to want to do what the Bible says …
Except when it comes to how they do church.
YOU are the church?
Really???
So here’s the test:
Who controls the microphone and the money?
THEY actually are the “church.”
Not you.
You’re just their attentive, paying audience.
“Worship” has been reduced from its Biblical meaning of living lives in obeisance (humble submission) and obedience to God …
To music that makes us feel good.
Although music can be a good thing …
Somehow, I think we lost our way.
God speaks …
Therefore, I am.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion …
But not to a Christ of their own perception.
He created and defines us …
And not us Him.
Many “churches” seek to thrill and entertain the masses by abandoning New Testament norms …
Not for the ultimate benefit of their members, but their “leaders”.
Jesus never said we’re saved by asking Him into our heart …
But by surrendering to His Kingdom rule and doing His Father’s will.
That’s called repentance.
Those who proclaim anything less …
Are preaching a lie.
How we measure “church” success:
Ministry by one man to fifty each Sunday morning …
That’s nice.
Ministry by one man to hundreds …
Now you’re talkin’!
Ministry by one man to thousands …
Mega success!!
How the New Testament measures church success:
Ministry one to another.
The me-centered, contrived intensity that many call “worship” these days …
Is an affront to God’s holiness.
In the New Testament, true worship is living lives of obeisance (humble submission) and obedience to Him, as He mandates …
Rather than projecting our own carnality onto Him to feed our own soulish needs.
Let’s return to the true God of Scripture with authentic worship …
As actually defined and commanded by Him.
Because when we relate to God on His terms rather than ours …
Amazing things of eternal significance will start happening in your own life and those around you.
Sometimes, prophetic voices speak truth to those who don’t want to listen and don’t want to know.
Not to convince them …
But to remove all excuses when they stand before a just and holy God on that fateful final day.
Authentic citizens of God’s Kingdom …
Are the greatest force for reforming earthly kingdoms.
History proves this time and again …
And God is not yet done with history.
If, however, you’ve not the grace to heed His call outside your own comfort zones …
Then at least don’t diss those who do.
It’s ironic how some think that elevating Christ as the Living Word …
Means discounting His written Word of Scripture.
Is Christ divided?
He’s all or nothing …
Because there is no pick-and-choose Jesus.
A “relationship” with a purely subjective Jesus, apart from His plenary authority of Scripture as His written Word …
Leads to inauthentic faith.
Likewise, “truth” based on the plenary authority of Scripture without Jesus alive in us …
Also leads to an inauthentic faith.
Each extreme – born of an endless cycle of reaction to the other – chronicles two tragic trends of Church history.
Unfortunately, we still see these extremes played out today.
Authentic faith embraces the fulness of Christ:
Both His Person …
And what He has revealed in His written Word of Scripture.
Nonetheless, where my subjective perception of Him differs from His written self-disclosure, objective precepts and propositional truths of Scripture …
I must yield to Scripture.
There can be no maturity in Christ or functional communities of believers apart from these essentials.
Salvation isn’t about “asking Jesus into your heart”.
There’s nothing in the New Testament which says that.
Rather, it’s about repenting and submitting to His Kingdom …
On His terms, not ours.
When we stand before Him on that final day …
It will be the only Gospel that counts.
There are no “worship leaders” in the New Testament.
Nope, not, nada.
In fact, the very concept is utterly missing from “church” and “worship” as actually taught in the New Testament.
Why is that?
Could it be that our notions of “church” and “worship” are more about post-Biblical presumptions …
Than what God actually says in His written Word?
Being willing to acknowledge the many disconnects between church as we’ve come to know it and how the New Testament explicitly defines and commands it …
May get you in trouble, but often is the first step towards finding the latter in lieu of the former.
Yet it is the road less traveled.
“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”
- Colossians 2:8
Functional, sustainable ekklesia (i.e., “church”) is impossible …
Among those who reject the plenary authority of Scripture as God’s revealed, transcendent and propositional truth.
It’s like cats trying to herd themselves.
Someone asked if I believe in female clergy.
No way, no how!
But then again, I don’t believe in male clergy either. 😉
Seriously, there is no clergy/laity divide in the New Testament.
Instead, we are ALL commanded to submit one to another as we minister to each other …
No matter what differing function, diverse gift or level of grace we’ve been given.
The true Gospel calls us to repentance through the uncompromising conviction of the Holy Spirit …
Rather than appeal to our vanities through the compromising enticements of men.
Have you ever noticed how so-called “Christians” who selectively dismiss the original intent, meaning and authority of Scripture so they can make it say whatever they want …
Inevitably do the same with our nation’s founding principles and Constitution?
This should be no surprise …
Because their hubris knows no bounds.
The key to success in business, as in life, is legitimately meeting people’s needs …
Rather than using them to meet yours.
Profits and wages, then, are simply your portion of that added value you create for others.
Four things not found in the New Testament:
- Current prevailing concepts of “pastor;”
- Current prevailing concepts of “tithing;”
Current prevailing concepts of “worship;” and
Current prevailing concepts of “ministry.”
Each of those is needed to sustain the others.
Yet take away even one of them, and the whole edifice of “church” as we’ve come to know it collapses …
Leaving, perhaps, the beginnings of church as the New Testament actually commands it.
May God bring forth those with the courage to pursue what’s authentic, as He defines it …
Rather than remain stuck in post-Biblical human traditions.
State-ratified vice …
Is State-ratified bondage.
It’s one thing to allow private sin …
But another entirely for the State to publicly endorse it.
God and “me” are not the church …
But God and “we” just might be.
There is no Christ …
In a “Jesus” on our terms.
Likewise, there is no ekklesia …
In a “church” on our terms.
Nor is there true “worship” …
When defined on our terms.
So in all our ways
Let’s humble ourselves
And submit to God …
As He defines Himself
And so much more
In His written word of Scripture.
Cynicism isn’t a retreat from evil …
But from good.
Plumbline Faith 