Dear friends and readers,
Do you remember the last time you were in a Christian book store? I do although at least in Southern California my favorite Christian book stores have now gone out of business. I wonder about that don't you? Did they finally fail for lack of interest? Or maybe poor management? Or perhaps a slide into oblivion caused by placing more importance on t-shirts, coffee cups and wall hangings opposed to Bibles, tracks and bumper stickers that advertise JESUS to the multitudes?
Well at this point we may never know for certain. What I do know however is that in recent years most Christian book stores had a relatively small area dedicated to Bibles and massive shelves dedicated to authors trying explain what the Bible says. Nearly all of these authors claim Devine inspiration so I have to ask myself why they so seldom agree? I suppose a lot of that has to do with denominational teaching---you know the stuff produced by MANS church, as opposed to what the Bible actually says which was written as a guide to CHRIST'S church.
Don't understand the difference? After all there is only one universal church worldwide right? Well actually no! An internet search will show you that it is estimated there are 37 million local churches worldwide. That's good right? But how about the other statistic---34,000 denominations? Wow and we wonder why Christians have such an problem speaking with one voice.
You know the other thing missing in many Christian book stores (not all, we don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water do we?)-----TRACTS. Hard to get and when ordering on line you will find that any tracts worth their salt are extremely expensive. Even the tools of evangelism are difficult to find these days.
Oh yes, there are very definitely two churches on this earth. Mans church and Gods church. Separate and distinct in may ways. Mans church is generally characterized by program based services, entertainment, coffee shops, gift stores, a general wondering through the Bible when it is mentioned at all and above all, stress on money, prosperity and feeling good about self. Of course I don't want to over generalize because I myself have Christians t-shirts and love a good cup of coffee---and an apple fritter when available (-:
God's church, you know the one that features Jesus Christ as the true super star, certainly may have some of the trappings listed above but and here is the big BUT!!! It concentrates on Christ not self. On teaching the word of God whether it is politically correct or not. It features a diet of holiness and straight forward solid Biblical doctrine---and oh by the way also has children's church who's teachers are more interested in teaching the kiddies Gods word than they are in volleyball. This church most frequently also has evangelistic outreach teams and if possible missions teams going out into the world and whenever possible to other countries. Most importantly this church teaches all of the Bible and does it in context---to itself!
Mans church I would call a church of lackadaisical whimsey. God's true church is one of IMMEDIACY. Get the word out to the people and the world right now---no fooling around. Tell them about the risen Christ.
We can see an example of immediacy through a simple examination of the book of Mark. You know it really is amazing the way God constructed His holy word. The first book of the New Testament is of course Matthew and the very last directions Jesus gave to His church are listed in chapter 28 verses 18 through 20, commonly known as the Great Commission.
Oops, there I go again, golly, I know I know all I talk about is getting out there and getting someone saved. But you know the reason I do that is because the Great Commission for a lot of churches has become just another set of scriptures given honorable mention. So I always want to add my voice to the few who are beating the drum.
Now before anyone gets mad and sends me a nasty gram, yes I do know that many pastors and congregations are "out there" doing what Jesus commanded. But the facts are that if all 2.5 BILLION Professing Christians attending all 37 million local churches within 34,000 denominations were working hard on the Great Commission, well you tell me? Would there still be another 5.5 BILLION unsaved folks on this earth? DON'T THINK SO AMIGO'S!
So it always amazed me that just one page over from the Great Commission, begins the book of Mark in which Jesus very first comment (Mark 1:15) is "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel". His second comment (verse 17) "Follow Me and I will make you become fishers of men". And then the frosting on the cake (verse 38) "Let us go into the next towns, the I may preach there also, FOR THIS IS THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH I HAVE COME FORTH"---(my emphasis added).
Beginning in Mark chapter 1 verse 10 and extending throughout the first 6 chapters we see the words "IMMEDIATE" or "as soon as" used at least 22 times. Is this merely favorite vocabulary used by Mark or a message from ON HIGH? The overall theme of Mark in speaking about the Lord is "JESUS AS SERVANT". Why is that important? Because each of the four gospels presents Jesus in a vastly different heavenly theme. Matthew--"CHRIST THE KING". Mark as stated--- "JESUS THE SERVANT". Luke---"CHRIST THE MAN". John--- "CHRIST AS DEITY". Jesus Himself describes Himself in Revelation 1:8 as GOD."I AM THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA, THE BEGINNING AND THE END, WHO IS AND WHO WAS AND WHO IS TO COME, THE ALMIGHTY"!
Now I don't know about you but if the ALMIGHTY said to me "Follow Me, I will make you fishers of men and we must go into the next towns to preach because it is for this reason that I have come forth", well I think He means it. The only question is---is He speaking to you as well? And to every single member of the church worldwide?
One cannot read through Mark or any of the gospels for that matter without coming away with a sense that the lord really wants His church up and going. On the move, pushing out against the powers of darkness. That cannot be accomplished if the concept of fulfilling the Great Commission extends out only as far as the paint on the inside of the church house walls.
Much of what happens in large portions of the "church" today is inwardly directed. Think of the scripture in 2 Timothy 3:7 in speaking about the last days. People becoming lovers of self. "and always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of truth". The surrounding scriptures are generally considered by most teachers as referring to bad people in the end times but I don't think so. Also listed in verse 5 is a scary thing "HAVING A FORM OF GODLINESS BUT DENYING ITS POWER". The power of the gospel was designed by God to change lives, to find salvation as a free gift of God paid for by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross of Calvary. 2 Timothy 4:3 tells us that "For the time will come when they (believers) will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers"! "And they will turn away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables".
I am going to make a comment here and I don't want anyone to misinterpret what I am saying. Bible studies are good. No question about it. But I have a question for anyone who wants to think long and hard about 2 Timothy that I quoted above; How many Bible studies have you taken in the last 5 years? Is it fair to say that nearly all of them were designed to make you personally a better Christian? Nothing wrong with that right? But how many taught you how to evangelize and get past the fear of doing so? How many taught you how to get out of the church house and you yourself teach those very same principles to unbelievers? My guess is with very few exceptions---ZILCH!
Always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of truth! Hard words for sure. How many new people coming to your church in the past 5 years fell into two very distinct categories? 1). Absolutely new believers who have been recently evangelized? 2). Existing believers migrating from another fellowship? Forgive me but my guess is overwhelmingly, curtain number 2.
Oh yes, Bible studies are good and a foundation for personal growth. But should they also not inspire taking the gospel to an unsaved world? Teachings others the lessons of those very same Bible studies? You say but I am not a pastor or teacher and evangelism scares me. I might be rejected! FACT---it would not be you who is rejected it would be the Lord and He can take care of Himself.
It takes no bravery to tell another person that Jesus loves them.
Jesus gave us an example and he also gave us a command to accomplish the Great Commission; Luke 6:46 THE KING SPEAKING " But why do you call Me Lord, Lord and not do the things that I say? whoever comes to Me and hears my sayings and DOES THEM------Is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on rock". "But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built on earth without a foundation".
What kind of foundation are you building on?
If you are feeling and hearing frequently that we are really in the end times, is it not our duty to do as the Lord Commanded? Not just because we may be in the end times but simply because He purchased us with a very heavy price and He said so.
Food for thought from the squeaky wheel.
God bless,
Pastor Rance.
