By Pastor Marianne Mauti
Introduction
Every once in awhile I come across an article that I find not only thought provoking but one that speaks to many things that I also see happening. The author of the following feature article shares his viewpoint of the modern "American Christian Culture". I believe he sincerely desires to see a strong, viable, powerful "Body of Christ." I felt that this article was worth sharing and will allow my readers to decide for themselves if they think it has any merit. After the article I have a few closing thoughts ! I am also interested in what you think!WHO CHANGED THINGS?
By Dr. Michael Brown
Who changed things? From the New Testament faith, where even the disciples couldn't minister without the Spirit's endowment, to today's version, where whole ministries are run with hardly any evidence of the Spirit's work".
As A. W. Tozer once said,"If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95 percent of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference."
Who changed things? From a faith that was so focused on the life of Jesus and so infused with the reality of His death and resurrection that no sacrifice was considered too great and no act of service considered too extreme-to the contrary, suffering for Him was considered a privilege (Mt. 5:10-12; Acts 5:41; Phil. 1:29)- to today's convenience- store Christianity, where we have to "sell" salvation to the sinner by spicing up the deal with perks and benefits?
So, Who changed things? From the biblical version of the Jesus faith to the modern American version? We can debate church history and blame this group or that group, and we can point out what's wrong with this denomination and that denomination. We might even have some great historical and contemporary insight. But unless we get back to believing what is written and acting on what is written, we will continue to perpetuate our merry-go-round Christianity with lots of noise and action and bells and whistles but with little authority, little purity and little effect (if any).
Who changed things? I didn't get the memo that God's Word and Spirit were not enough, and that I should be far more concerned with what the latest polls say.Since when did the Lord command us to fashion our preaching and our style of worship and even the way we look based on whats trending? If some leaders choose to trust in worldly business models and carnal consulting firms, that's their choice. I say that we go with the New Testament model, applied with boldness and with compassion to the needs of the day.
Years ago. Leonard Ravenhill said, "One of these days some simple soul will pick up a Bible, read it, and believe it. Then the rest of us will be embarrassed. "I want to be that simple soul. How about you?
My Final Thoughts
It is time for the Church to rise up in all her power, authority, beauty and splendor. It is time to change things! We must preach, teach and live the truth of God's Holy Word!!!
Please Note: "Forging Your Faith", does not promote any ministry we are not a part of. We are not associated with Dr. Brown, but find this article thought provoking and worth re-printing.
Who changed things? From the vibrant, Spirit-empowered “by life or by death” faith of the New Testament to today’s spineless home-and-garden Sunday-morning religion?
Who changed things? From “Leave everything and follow Me” (see Luke 14:33) to “Pray this little prayer and you’re set for eternity?"
Who changed things? From "All who live Godly lives in Christ Jesus suffer persecution (see Timothy 3:12) to "Ask Jesus into your heart and enjoy a comfortable life?
From a fearless proclamation of the truth, whatever the cost or consequences, to a watered down, compromised message that is afraid to offend anyone? By what authority, by whose decree, based on what new revelation have we so blatantly departed from the faith of the apostles?
Who changed things? From the New Testament faith, where even the disciples couldn't minister without the Spirit's endowment, to today's version, where whole ministries are run with hardly any evidence of the Spirit's work".
As A. W. Tozer once said,"If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95 percent of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference."
Who changed things? From a God-centered faith to a man-centered faith, from, "Take up your cross and deny yourself" to , "Bypass the cross and empower yourself
Who changed things? From holiness being beautiful to holiness being bondage, from the early church being known for its high standards to the present church being known for its scandals?
Who changed things? From the people of God being a threat to the powers of darkness to the people of God being active participants in darkness? In the early church, Paul instructed the Corinthians to separate themselves from people who claimed to be believers but were living in outward, unrepentant sin (1 Corinthians 5). Today, some of those people lead our churches and preach from our pulpits. Who changed things?
Who changed things? From a faith that was so focused on the life of Jesus and so infused with the reality of His death and resurrection that no sacrifice was considered too great and no act of service considered too extreme-to the contrary, suffering for Him was considered a privilege (Mt. 5:10-12; Acts 5:41; Phil. 1:29)- to today's convenience- store Christianity, where we have to "sell" salvation to the sinner by spicing up the deal with perks and benefits?
When did Jesus stop being enough?
When did obedience become an option?
When did keeping God’s commandments out of love for Him become “religious” (in the negative sense of the word)? Didn’t Jesus say that if we loved Him, we would keep His commandments (John 14:15, 21)? If we belonged to another religion that claimed to have other books that supplemented the Bible or traditions that superseded it, that would be one thing. But we don’t. We believe the Scriptures alone are God’s Word and that nothing that comes after the Scriptures—no tradition, no consensus—can undermine or countermand the written Word of God.
So, Who changed things? From the biblical version of the Jesus faith to the modern American version? We can debate church history and blame this group or that group, and we can point out what's wrong with this denomination and that denomination. We might even have some great historical and contemporary insight. But unless we get back to believing what is written and acting on what is written, we will continue to perpetuate our merry-go-round Christianity with lots of noise and action and bells and whistles but with little authority, little purity and little effect (if any).
Years ago. Leonard Ravenhill said, "One of these days some simple soul will pick up a Bible, read it, and believe it. Then the rest of us will be embarrassed. "I want to be that simple soul. How about you?
My Final Thoughts
The spiritual state of fallen mankind is continually being perpetuated by the secular media and promoted by a Godless humanistic culture and it has greatly influenced the Church in the last few decades.The Church must take responsibility for her part in the declining condition of America!
Things Have Changed: It's time for the Church to take back the authority God gave her! We are the voice of God in the earth, the physical representation of the living God whose spirit dwells in and through us!
As the boundaries of our Christian faith and culture continue to be challenged, we face an ever growing divide between what we are preaching and living, and Biblical truth! Cultural shifts are symptomatic of the spiritual condition of the Church and it is time we wake up, take responsibility for our part!
It is time for the Church to rise up in all her power, authority, beauty and splendor. It is time to change things! We must preach, teach and live the truth of God's Holy Word!!!
Please Note: "Forging Your Faith", does not promote any ministry we are not a part of. We are not associated with Dr. Brown, but find this article thought provoking and worth re-printing.
*******************************************
FORGING YOUR FAITH
To 'Forge' something, is to mold and shape something for suitable use. We believe that our lives are constantly being shaped and molded by the hand of God for His divine purpose! This publication strives to encourage believers who are beginning this process and those who are well into it! We also believe a truly successful life is a Christ-Centered Life! We hope you will join us and become a regular reader!
Thank You and God Bless,
Marianne Mauti
Founder and CAO
'Forging Your Faith' is the online Christian publication of 'Christ the King Church' in Bellevue, Pa.
About Marianne Mauti: Marianne is a writer and blogger as well as a Pastor at "Christ the King Church" in Bellevue, Pa. She is currently the Dean and Chief Operating Officer of "Christ the King Seminary" a full time Bible Institute. For more information about us please contact us at: crowncntr@aol.com
About Marianne Mauti: Marianne is a writer and blogger as well as a Pastor at "Christ the King Church" in Bellevue, Pa. She is currently the Dean and Chief Operating Officer of "Christ the King Seminary" a full time Bible Institute. For more information about us please contact us at: crowncntr@aol.com\
***********************************************************
ARTICLE RESOURCES
ARTICLE RESOURCES
* The Bible
* Article by: Dr. Micheal Brown, a nationally syndicated talk radio show host of, " The Line of Fire" on the Salem Radio Network. He is President of FIRE School of Ministry and Director of the Coalition of Conscience.
