September 10, 2013
Are you feeling empty? ... Do you feel like
there's got to be so much more? ... Well if you do, you are most likely
suffering from the "itching ear" insomnia that is so prevalent
in our churches today. ... So many folks that I come into contact with
are feeling this 'emptiness' that is rampant in today's society. ...
And sadly, this 'emptiness' .. this feeling of quiet desperation ...
will only increase as we draw ever-nearer to the Day of the Lord. ...
2 Timothy 4:3-4 says this ... "For the time
will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to
their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap for
themselves teachers; 4) and they will turn their ears away from
the truth, and be turned aside to fables."
This particular passage of Scripture points out
one of the primary causes of today's famine in our spiritual walks.
... Sadly, in an alarming number of our churches today, God's people
are being told what they think they WANT to hear rather than what they
NEED to hear. ... They are being spoon-fed warm milk ... the so-called
'soft doctrine' ... one that is free of any accusations for pretty much
any kind of lifestyle. ... Judgement of any kind is mostly absent from
the messages coming from the pulpits. ... What it boils down to is an
incredibly dangerous attempt at 'consumer christianity' ... to adjust
the 'good news' of jesus to fit most any lifestyle choices the 'consumer'
might have. ...
Let's for a moment look at just a couple of quick
examples of what I'm talking about. ... First, let's look at Pastor
Joel Osteen. ... His entire focus is based upon what we've just talked
about ... a totally soft, non-judgemental, all-about-me doctrine ...
how we all can become a better 'us' with a message totally void of any
consequence of a sinful lifestyle. ... In a recent TV interview, he
was asked directly about how he felt concerning the homosexual
way of life. ... His comment was typical ... he said that he had quite
a few in his congregation and that he would not pass judgement on them.
.... I will say the one thing he has accomplished in his ministry is
fame & fortune. ... He has a large congregation that is 'enjoying
the safety' of his messages.
Another worth mentioning is the new Pope. ... He,
in his short tenure at the helm of the Roman Catholic Church, has all
but endorsed homosexuality as OK, said that we worship the same god
as the Muslims, can earn 'Purgatory points' by following him on twitter
... the list goes on. ... And why this 'new' attitude? ... Simply, it
is to rebuild the falling numbers of the churches he oversees. ... Never
offend, never judge, never speak of any consequences, and they will
all come running back! .... How tragic!
Let me just say this ... While I realize that judgement
preaching is not popular in today's 'me' society, it is completely necessary
for the salvation of mankind! ... Let's look to Scripture to support
this statement ...... Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Jonah, Paul, and Jesus
preached judgement in their messages. .. In fact, the word Hell is mentioned
12 times in the New Testament, 11 of which was by Jesus Himself! ...
Can, or should we do any less? ... Simply, there is a consequence for
a sinful way of life, and the appointed leaders of our churches need
to lovingly point it out. ... According to Scripture, they are REQUIRED
to do so!
Dr. W.A. Criswell reminds us of the true character
of a prophet of God: " ... whenever there is a true prophet
of God, he will preach judgement. These modern so-called ministers
of God speak all things nice. Modern methods admonish never to
mention things negative. Ignore them and they will not exist.
.... There is not any hell and there is not any devil and there is not
any judgement of God. All that is now intellectually passe. ...
We have evolved beyond that ... So we stand up and speak of the love
of Jesus, and we speak of peace, and we speak of all things pretty and
beautiful. But the same book that tells us about the good, tells
us about the bad. ... The same revelation that speaks to us about heaven,
speaks about hell." ... So as leaders, if we avoid judgement teaching,
we are misleading the people and therefore sinning before God!
I mentioned Laodicea in the title for a specific
reason ... to compare today's churches with the 7th church mentioned
by Jesus in Revelation, chapter 3:14-22 ... the church that will be
in existence when Christ returns. ... The teaching explains that this
was a very wealthy church, pretty much in need of nothing. ... Sound
familiar? ... But Jesus had a particularly specific message for these
lukewarm, easy-going, seeker-sensitive folks ... "I know
your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you
were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither
cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth. Because you say,
'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' - and do
not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked ..."
(verses 15-17) ... Wow! ... What an indictment! ... He is saying,
without any doubt, that being lukewarm ... passive, uncommitted, lazy
in Spirit ... is a ticket straight to hell!
"Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord
God, that I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor
a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. ... They shall
wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; They shall run
to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord, but shall not find it."
(Amos 8:11-12)
Referring back to the opening statement, are you
feeling empty? ... Is there something missing in your walk with the
Lord? ... Well it's most likely because you are neither attending any
church, or are involved in one that is teaching 'ear candy' ... the
word without substance. ... As I say constantly, the conditions
of this world are only going to deteriorate as we draw closer to the
Lord's return ... and because of this, we ALL are going to need our
'Spiritual house' built upon rock ... not sand. ... We need to hear
ALL of the Word of God, not just the stuff that makes us feel good ..
the stuff that tells us that 'just getting by' is enough. ... The watered-down,
feel-good teachings of today... in the plainest terms possible ... are
a lie! ..... If your Spirit is restless, the Holy Spirit is telling
you to find a place where you can receive the true, and full teachings
of the Bible. ... There's not many out there, but there are a few. ....
Time is short, so quit putting it off!
So what should true a church look like? ... It is
a house of prayer, not a house of business. It is a place of worship,
not a place of entertainment. ... Jesus is our Savior whom we worship,
not a brand name to market. The body of Christ is a sanctuary
of protection for the vulnerable - for children, single women, the abused,
and the bruised and broken in life. ... The House of God is a refuge
for those who have special needs and can't keep up. It is a harbor
of hope for those who are addicted and struggling. ... For those trying
to find a reason to go on after a death or divorce, the church has a
powerful opportunity to offer the hope that only God gives.
The opportunity of ministry that lies before the
church awaits only one thing ... the church's awakening! ... Simply,
the people of God must return to a hunger and thirst for righteousness
... and the leaders must repent for their failure to fulfill their calling
... and finally, the House of God needs to represent its biblical purpose
for existence. .... Most won't, but a few will ... and it is those fellowships
that can, and will make a difference in these coming harsh days that
lie just ahead.
Know that I love you all and am praying for each
and every one of you ... and God knows exactly who you are! ... Hallelujah!
.... and if you are feeling a restlessness in your soul, the Spirit
IS talking to you! ... Don't ignore it!
Until next time,
Red