A Good Church?

 

A friend is moving to a new area and in our conversation he commented that leaving his small, country church behind was hard because it is a nurturing community, led by a solid pastor, that is Biblically sound. He wondered about finding a good church in the town where they were re-locating.  America has thousands of churches – big and small – but not all are ‘good’ churches.  Some are more like a circus or show than a true Body of Christian believers. A circus makes us ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ by giving us a spectacle. The vivid colors, whirl of activity, and novel acts try to provide the kind of sensory banquet that leaves us impressed. And, it works! We do not go to the circus to meditate and think deep thoughts about inner change, do we? We go to see the sights-  the high wire acrobats and the clowns tumbling – that give us a thrilling diversion from the tedium of everyday life.

Have you confused church with the circus? Are you content with loud music, novel presentations, and flashing lights; or, do you desire real worship, a place that encourages you to meet with God, the Spirit?

A spectacle will not change my heart or mind, but an encounter with the Living God will make us grow, changed into the likeness of Jesus. Paul prays for Christians to experience the Spirit Whose work 'is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come." (Ephesians 1:19-22, NIV) That power flows from deep inside of us, from holiness of heart, and deep intimacy with God.

I have no doubt that America is in a time of deep spiritual crisis! Materialism, sensuality, and unrestrained expression of Self-will define our culture.  Some Christians speak of the need for 'spiritual revival' which I, too, want to happen. However, if ‘revival’ is thought to come with grand productions featuring charismatic personalities drawing people into large gatherings, we are waiting on the wrong thing.  Spiritual awakening comes with an incredibly intimate, empowering experience of the Holy Spirit. Our desire must be for Jesus Christ, not a thrill of emotion.  Genuine spiritual renewal is much more akin to a growing garden than a political rally!  It is a quiet, persistent life experience, not a single crisis moment.

The Scripture warns us about a Christ-less religion. We read - "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." (Colossians 2:8-10, NIV)  

 Read it again, this time from The Message: “Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. ... They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that's not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don't need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything.”

Friend, don't get taken in by the grand religion 'show,’ by smooth-talking preachers who do not focus on Christ Jesus. Pray for your pastor and your church to be genuinely desiring to know the fullness of Christ. If you feel manipulated, pushed, pulled, or overwhelmed by a 'ministry,' that feels more like a circus: RUN- don't walk- away! Find a place where the Spirit's voice is loved and allowed to be heard.

Mediate on this word from the Word. It is a powerful prayer for transformation. "I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God." (Ephesians 3:17-19, NLT)  Amen

(Video of this blog at this link)

____________________

 

Holy Spirit

 

There's nothing worth more that will ever come close

No thing can compare You're our living hope

Your Presence

 

I've tasted and seen of the sweetest of loves

Where my heart becomes free and my shame is undone

In Your Presence Lord

 

Holy Spirit You are welcome here

Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere

Your glory God is what our hearts long for

To be overcome by Your Presence Lord

 

Your Presence Lord

 

Your Presence Lord

Your Presence

Oh God how we love Your Presence Lord

Let us become more aware of Your Presence

Let us experience the glory of Your goodness (Lord)

 

Bryan Torwalt | Katie Torwalt

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