I recently read through the book of Acts and am currently doing a Bible study with a very good friend of mine through the above said book. As I read (and re-read) it, I am continually amazed at the boldness of the Church, and their faith, and how powerfully God's Spirit moved through them. And it has caused me to ask: What has happened to our church?
How have we dropped from such a great beginning to today? As I look around, our church is very different from the original church. What has happened?
I think the best way to address this is to first look at the way the Church used to be and what we can learn from that, and then compare it to our church of today, and see how they line up. Believe me, we need more followers of Christ who are willing to live as those early believers did.
So, let's take a look:
The first think to note about the Church is that it was filled with the Spirit. ("And you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you..." Acts 1:8A, NIV) In Acts 2, we see the apostles filled with the Spirit, and they boldly proclaim Christ to every one. It is interesting to note that the apostles didn't ever dress up the Gospel, or make it "culturally relevant"; they preached the Gospel as it was, straight out, not dressing it up or softening any of it's blows, or making it more approachable. They were bold and preached the Word as it was, not holding anything back. Now that is the stuff that make a warrior poet!
All through out Acts, we see the great faith and great works done by the Church...through the Holy Spirit. They were filled with the Spirit, and as a result, were powerfully effective of reaching others. The Spirit took "ordinary, unschooled men...." filled them with power and courage, and others were "astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." (Acts 4:13, NIV)
Another characteristic of the early church was that they devoted themselves to prayer (Acts 2:42, 4:24-31) It is interesting to note how they were "joined together constantly in prayer..." (Acts 1:14A, NIV) How many of us can say the same of us and our churches?
There is so much that I could go into....when I read Acts, I am deeply moved. I see the examples of those who went before me, those great warrior poets: Paul, Peter, James, Philip...and I deeply desire to join their ranks. I read Acts, and I greatly desire to live as they lived, forsaking all else, following Christ, even to death and boldly proclaiming His Word, without watering it down, not being ashamed of the Gospel, being willing to be hated and despised, just like Christ, and being filled with power in the Holy Spirit. This is what it means to be a Warrior Poet!
You'll notice that I've barely scratched the surface...and there is a reason. The topic of Acts is just too big and great to be contained in one little blog post. Therefore, I will be saying quite a bit more on this in future posts! Reading Acts is so moving and challenging! I hope to challenge and move you through this look into God's Word. Further up and further in!
For Christ's Glory!
Thoughts and musings on following Christ, becoming a Warrior Poet, and living as a Disciple.
You mentioned the fact that there is a problem with a church, and you gave examples of why and how that has come about. However, the only solution that was possibly covered for this problem is through prayer. And yes, I believe that prayer will make a complete change to the church. But prayer cannot stand alone. I was wondering if you have a proposed solution to this problem of an apathetic church. And if you do, are you willing to suggest a solution.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I know you wish for identities to be known, I believe it best that the quantity of what I say should outstate the quality. If you prefer to keep in contact, email me at theanonymouscommentor@gmail.com
I wanted to say, PK, that I am definitely well aware of what it means to both go through the fire for just living a life hidden in Christ right now. And, one of the things that I feel that guys need to understand is that God is not just calling the guys to be brave and to stand up with His Truth. :) As I am reading your post, I get the idea that you are mainly writing to the brothers to encourage them. And, that is awesome! :) But, it's good to remember that standing firmly in Christ isn't just warrior poet/masculine stuff. :) It's the GOD-stuff. :D It's the JESUS CHRIST IS LORD stuff that infuses all of us as brothers and sisters in Christ to stand for Him. :) (I am a girl who reads your posts. :) The thing is, in my walk with God there are times like right now when I am called to stand and fight and pray, and well...I feel like it's only because it's JESUS CHRIST inside of me who is enabling me to do any of it. So, I love the exhortation for standing for Christ and such, but I don't think it's just the masculine thing to do. I think it's the GOD thing to do. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso...in lieu of what the anonymous person said above, I wanted to say something... We as a church need to die to self and lift up Jesus Christ and be filled with HIS SPIRIT. Self-promotions, self-programs, self-help ideas, self, self, self---parts of the Bride have focused entirely too much on self, and it's forgetting that Jesus Christ is the HEAD. It's time to deny self, collectively as a body, and humble ourselves and lift up Jesus Christ. It's when we lift HIM up that HE will draw all men to HIM. He will draw us all to HIM. He will draw us all into repentance, humility, and a place where HIS FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT will be evidenced in the Bride who is now focused on her First Love. Jesus Christ is worthy of all our worship. We, as His body, need to encourage one another to remember that He is the HEAD and in HE is before all things and it's in HIM and through HIM that all things hold together. It's Jesus Christ who should be lifted up and exalted in our lives individually and in fellowship with one another as His body. He is worthy.
In addition to what Christine said, regarding the lifting up of Jesus as the head, and not merely a self-propelled church, we, as the church, need to not strive to be a good example for the world, and not to make a big difference in the world. If we focus primarily on Christ, where can we go wrong, where can we make the mistake of not making the difference in other's lives. If Christ wishes that to happen, and we are focusing on Him, He will make that happen through us. The only problem is when we loose focus of Christ, and begin to go our own way.
ReplyDeleteI did a little research and calculations to determine exactly what it would take to get every person in the world right now (about 6 billion) to hear 1 hour of the gospel. Basically, my numbers, very approximate to reach the entire world in 1 year. Working 50 weeks out of the year (2 weeks off) Monday-Friday, 10 hours a day, with 1 teacher in each classroom of 50 people as students, it would take 48,000 teachers to each teach 25,000 1 hour lessons to 50 students on average for every lesson, totaling to each teacher reaching 125,000 people in one year. If we had 5 helpers on each classroom to help with questions and counseling, that would add another 240,000 people to help. When you figure a pay for these 288,000 people to live ($25,000 per person, minimum) that would make $7,200,000,000 in support. This "is" a church effort, not the work of one person. If one person wanted to reach every person in the world for only 1 second, not breaks every, constant 24/7, they would be constantly talking for over 190 years.
Just some numbers to think about. theanonymouscommentor@gmail.com
Anonymous~
ReplyDeleteIn response to your above point, while I understand and partially agree with your point, I also have 2 cents to add...
You mentioned how we should not focus at all in anything outward, ie, evangelism, etc, and Instead focus fully on Christ and if He wants to do a work in us, He will. Howevever, I think that while we are to be completely focused on Christ, we should also focus on reaching others...and I don't think the two would counter act each other....If we are focused on Christ, and love Him, we will obey what He says. In the "Great Commission", we are commanded to go and make discples of all nations. If we are fully focused on Christ, we will do what He commands, mainly reaching others for Him. Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by actions, is dead (James 2:17)
While we should be focused on Christ, we need to as a result, live as He lived, and reach out to others. If everyone took it upon themselves to reach those around them, and make discples, like we are supposed to, and not just leaving it up to our leaders or the church establishment, many will come to Christ
Well, I think the point is to decrease so HE may increase and draw others to Him. Coming from the experience I am coming from right at this moment, I can say that after Christ begins doing a work in us, suddenly as we lift Him up in our lives, others can't help but notice Him. It doesn't mean that it's always something that others want to see, either.
ReplyDeleteIt's like that verse that says that Jesus is leading us in triumphant procession in Him, and that we share the Aroma of Christ. Check out my blog to read more thoughts on what I wrote about that...but in the mean time...
The point is that people are going to see Christ in our lives if we are asking Jesus to crucify us and live HIS life in us. When that happens, He will draw others to Him by His Holy Spirit, in His amazing God way.
I think that one of the most amazing ministries that we can have is our ministry before the Lord. When we get into His throne room and minister to Him, He will fill us to then minister to others. He will prompt others' hearts by His Spirit. He will guide our feet to share His Good News by His Spirit. All we need to really be concerned about is seeking His face and loving Him. As an outpouring, those around us will know HE LIVES. As an outpouring of Him, we will then be called on to share our faith as God leads, in all the ways that God leads us to do it. And, truth be told, sometimes it may be just standing through persecution for the sake of His Name. But, in all ways, God will be glorified, and He will ordain our feet to bring salvation to others, all be to HIS GLORY ALONE.
the truth behind what is needed is for us to focus on Christ and for Him to lead us through life. As long as we focus on Him, we will witness to others, live a life pleasing to Him, and have a peace of mind and be full of joy. Therefore, it isn't for us to decide whether we are going to be a missionary in Africa, as long as we are focusing on Christ, we may just end up there, or we may be witnessing anywhere else.
ReplyDeleteThe Holy Spirit has an amazing way of leading us into triumphant procession in Jesus Christ. God is sovereign. The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it's His purpose that prevails. He knows the way I take, and when I've been tried, I will come forth as gold. Indeed, HE IS our Way. Blessings to you both, Anon and PK. Gal. 2:20
ReplyDelete