Have you ever heard the Word of God preached and wondered how it would apply to you or even help you in the situation you are currently in? To be honest with you I have many of times. In churches, fellowships, conferences, there often seems to be the need to over explain things or speak things that really does not help us achieve the spiritual growth we need. Then in today’s trending church truth seems to be lost and when everything is settled nothing really was said. The good news message has been reduced to a few sound bites, and messages are feel good instructions in life. We’re all OK by God’s grace kind of thing. I often wonder what these churches may look like in another ten years or so.
On the other hand there are still those stringent legalistic groups that make serving God so hard that often many struggle to live it. There are messages and teachings that may in all rights be truth but fail in love and grace. I have heard teaching that was full of wisdom and knowledge, but lacked passion, and emotion. I have been around ministers that know the Word of God inside and out, quote it better than most. They understand Greek and Hebrew yet; do not know how to relate it to the normal person who just needs answers for life’s problems, and to know that God does care about them.
This is my thought this week and has been a part my continued journey in truth. Balance is the word I guess I am looking for. Maybe another word can be moderation. Like a road with a ditch on either side one must navigate down that road to keep out of the ditch. It may not be the focus when one drives down that road, but is a reality if one does not maintain control. Then, when one loses control and starts heading for one ditch they over compensate and end up in the ditch on the other side.
I grew up in church and have been active in ministry for thirty five plus years. I have experienced a lot and hopefully learned a lot. I grew up in one form or another of Pentecost and seen a lot in my time. Over the years I have come to the place of knowing that I was wrong on some things and right on others. I have found some truths by just taking the Bible and believing in what I had read. Other times I have had some great people impart truth to me. In all I have had to be willing to change and allow God to do a work in me.
If I have learned anything, it is that God did not call me to change anyone. I have not been given a mandate from God to move people to my way of thinking. There is only one person I can change and that is me. I am a lot freer now than ever since I have learned that. The other thing after years of being a pastor was my preaching in a service changed very little, if it did not speak to the hearer and their need. I knew I was called by God to ministry, but like those who I came up under I knew little of grace, compassion and how to relate to those in need.
I knew how to conduct a service, lead worship, prepare a message, even knew how to emotionally motivate the congregation. I have seen God at work in the lives of others, and seen the manifestations of God’s spirit. I have seen it abused and used for man’s gain, and seen the results that one sided spiritual movements produced. Yet, in all that I am not ready to throw all that I have seen and known out just because of some misuses. For I have seen the power of God at work in me as well as others.
History has been a good teacher in letting us know that when man takes control it usually gets messed up. Christianity has taken a simple message of truth and messed it up so much that most people can’t understand it. It has become a truth and message that only a few are capable to understand and the rest have to rely on them to be able to serve God and get truth. Churches are filled with people who are depending on a man to present truth to them never seeking God or His Word for themselves. Now, there are still some great teachers that will teach to our hearts with love.
(Eph 4:14-15 NIV) Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. {15} Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
I am not a Bible scholar, and claim no special wisdom or teaching. What I have has come through experience, Bible reading, prayer, and a passion for Father, God. So I guess what I am trying to say that no matter what camp you are in and come from if we are not careful you can over analyze, and complicate the simple message of God through Jesus His son. While we debate over certain truths thousands of people have no clue who God truly is and how His message can bring peace to their troubled lives.
Today, there are so many who need answers and help in living in this world. We have made the Word of God strangling, and hard. There are those who because of abuses reject the manifestations of God’s power. There are teachers who have in depth understanding of God’s Word, yet reject emotions, manifestations, or any such things. So, let’s see what we can find in the Word.
(1 Cor 2:4-5 NIV) My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, {5} so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. (1 Cor NIV) This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
I feel here Paul is making it very clear he was not relying on his own knowledge, (which we know by his own words Paul was well educated) but the power and manifestations of God. Today there seems to be this ideal since we have a completed Bible there is no longer a need for a demonstration of God’s power. Where do we find that in the Bible? Didn’t Jesus himself tell us “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; {18} they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." (Mark 16:17-18 NIV)
Now I am not saying let’s start handling snakes, but like Paul when shipwrecked was bitten when handling fire wood was protected by God. When he did not die, opportunity was given to share the gospel. I do still believe God has not stopped working in those who will believe. Just because we have the Bible, God has not stopped talking to us, if we will listen. He now is working through us by His son Jesus (Heb.1.2). I know I have had God speak to me many a time and work his power through me. To some that may be crazy, but I know it was Him and it could always be confirmed by His Word. God is still God and just because we have the Bible, that does not mean He has stopped speaking and working mightily through His people.
(Rom 1:16-17 NIV) I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. {17} For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
(Rom NIV) by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem Illyricum , I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.
(1 Th 1:5 NIV) because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
Paul’s proclamation of the simple Gospel message was able touch the lives of those who not only heard but experienced God’s power. I feel the full message of Jesus, the coming kingdom and taking of the seed of God’s word, really can speak to us in simple terms and to help us wherever we are in life.
(2 Cor 4:1-7 NIV) Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. {2} Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. {3} And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. {4} The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. {5} For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. {6} For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. {7} But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
God does want all to come to the knowledge of truth. Maybe more can be done through demonstrations of fruitful godly lives than just educated teachings alone. People need to see how God can work through plain ordinary lives, which struggle as well as any other person, but are able to be fruitful and live holy before God. We do have the treasure at work in us to live a life onto God and before others
(1 Tim 2:1-7 NIV) I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- {2} for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. {3} This is good, and pleases God our Savior, {4} who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. {5} For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, {6} who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time. {7} And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle--I am telling the truth, I am not lying--and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.
No comments:
Post a Comment