My heart’s desire is to see the Lord God do something only He can do: Revive His Church again. (Psalm 119:37-40) As I view the church and the world where I had the privilege to be born and born again I must ask what's the difference? The church buildings in many places glitter and sparkle beckoning the world to come and see. See what? Gourmet coffee, strobe lights, manifold colored lighting, darkness on the congregation, and special lighting on the cast and rhinestone Christians?
 
What are we doing in such a critical time? Gallup poll has recently stated that church goers are searching for a place where they can hear the word preached and taught; they are looking for something beyond a “show and tell,” 15-minute talk that some pass for a sermon. Ear tickling, soft soaking, back scratching sermons and smorgasbord theology.
 
Give them Jesus through clear exegesis and expository preaching/teaching of the infallible, inerrant, plenary verbally inspired word of the living GOD. It is not the preachers responsibility to build the church (Matt.16:18) or to draw a crowd; it is his responsibility to preach sound doctrine as Paul instructed Timothy. (2 Tim. 4:1-5)
 
IF—and I emphasize, IF—we are called to proclaim, we should do it with diligent study, uncompromising conviction, unwavering loyalty, and a prayerful heart being led by the Spirit for HIS glory. David told Solomon in 1 Kings 2:1-2 to be the man. Latimer told Ridley on March 21st, AD 1555, as they were about to be burned for their faith, “Play the man.” That is a Christianity that we in America know nothing about. No, we will not play the man for fear of being fired; what man can do to us grips our hearts more so than a sacrificial surrender to the beloved Savior.
 
I ask these questions: Where are the prophets? Where is the modern day Elijah? Will you be an Amos, a Jeremiah, a Peter, or a John the Baptist? Or will you be Pablum milk toast or a Demas? Are you ashamed of the Gospel? There are millions who need to hear the TRUTH. Will we be the ones to counter the culture, the liberals, and a church where the whole head is sick and the whole heart is faint? (Isaiah 1:5-6) The problem lies at the foot of your pulpit and the answer lies in your heart. Let's open our minds and hearts to the Master and see what He says….. then be willing to make the necessary adjustments.
 
FOR THE KINGDOM’S SAKE
Ed

             In reality, the local church can be all three, but not at the same time. We could say, as Jesus observed the early church, that it is either cold, hot, or lukewarm (Rev. 3:16). He did not like a lukewarm church—it made Him nauseous!
            Why does the church—its flesh and blood—tend to drift toward becoming lukewarm? I will voice my conviction, not my opinion: The church is lukewarm, therefore indifferent, due to a number of reasons:

1. A lack of strong leadership;
2. A lack of sound doctrine; and,
3. A lack of solid exegesis and biblical exposition from the pulpit.

          Unfair? Not really, if you consider all the things I have observed over four decades of pastoral leadership. Leadership involves more than preaching a sermon or two each week. It requires the pastor to exhibit certain administrative skills in order to give good leadership in the area of finances. For example, if your church has debt you can lead them to a lower interest rate, if available, in order to lower the present payment.
          You should also work with your church leadership to put a plan in place to liquidate the existing debt in order to have greater resources for ministry. The sheep look to the Shepherd as you seek wisdom and direction from the Master Shepherd.
          Leadership is taxing and even at times frustrating. Ask Moses; with all he went through he stayed the course. Did he do everything right? NO, yet he led when he thought he couldn't.
          Why do so many not lead? One word: FEAR. Leading involves making changes and making changes involves difficulty at times. But change is imperative if the church is going to move beyond a state of indifference and being lukewarm. We cannot sit on idle and still think we are moving.
          Passivity never accomplished anything. Be willing for the Lord God to use you to be a change agent. Be biblical; be Godly; be strong. In summation, be willing to be used by the Father to the maximum of your God given ability. If God has called you to pastoral leadership, He has gifted you to be a leader.
          Read Joshua 1:1-9 and choose to be a courageous leader for the glory of God and lead your church to pursue a hot heart for Kingdom work.

The church, for the most part lies in a state of confusion and the reason - - - intrusion! Intrusion of false teaching, heresy, immorality and contemporary philosophies of self-proclaimed “little gods” who are nothing more than self-appointed gurus of the “name it and claim it” mentality who are cultic in nature!

Rather than drawing near to God, the church runs in reverse as it pursues the fantasies and promises of the world which cannot deliver. The church is for the most part a “treat,” not a threat. It seeks to “help” man feel good about himself rather than revealing to him that “self” is to be denied and crucified by taking on the new nature of Christ.

The new invasion is the electronic church that rallies around a personality and emotion, leaving the viewer drained of finances, hyped on sensationalism, dulled senses with illegitimate hope.

The church as a whole is devoid of holiness, integrity, character, responsibility, defies any call to surrender and has no respect from the world.

The church must undergo major reform to have any voice or impact. The church is not to be a well-oiled organization seeking identity with the world. It is to be a living organism empowered by the Holy Spirit and nurtured on the infallible, inerrant Word of God. It is to be on mission to make disciples as it glorifies Christ. It is Christ’s church, purchased with His blood to the praise and glory of God almighty. In it, we are participants of grace and by grace. The church is at war with the evil one. There are no peace treaties or summit talks. Let the battle rage; we, the church, are victors. We must walk in obedience as we pursue the call to Christ-likeness. A return to Biblical Christianity will be reformation enough.

51%     of Americans have no purpose.

92%     believe the Bible to be true. However most said they would not allow their beliefs to change their lives.

12%     read it once a week.

48%     thought Thomas was a book in the Bible.

58%     did not know who preached the Sermon on the Mount.

The average church covers itself as it rocks and reels from the barrage of punches thrown by the world, the flesh and the devil. Though bruised, battered and beaten, the true church will stand. Its foundation is Christ Jesus, the Chief Cornerstone, which is unshakable – always prevailing.