I heard recently of a pastor who declared his city will be a gateway to a great move of God. So I felt a need to comment.
Many charismatic churches of the past are dwindling or dying as the pastors desperately try to make their church relevant again through failed procedures of the past. They have become as denominational churches fading into obscurity. If only they would seek God rather than the next move of God. Preach the cross to a self-centered and self absorbing church. Instead they pursue revival for their church through traveling salesmen rather then seeking the author of true revival. What is sad is the number of pastors or leaders that expose their fellowship to these presumptuous statements mentioned above rather than protecting them from such nonsense.
There are those who make a living off the body of Christ, not through co-laboring with them but rather through fleecing them of their hard earned money with similar false promises. Promises such as, revival is coming to this area, this church will be used mightily to bring revival, Gods anointing is here in this place like no other, your pastor has a vision of growing as to influence this county. On and on they spill. Pumping the congregations with false belief and hope.
Yet many a charismatic pastor continue to expose their flock to the false promises of these hirelings. The problem is after a few years the people not experiencing what was prophesied or declared become disillusioned and doubtful and many will fall away from church or at least that church who presented these false truths.
Has anyone been astute enough to research what these guys say in other cities or states? I have, and it is amazing how much is repeated. Different people same prophetic word just repackage for the local fellowship.
Jesus spoke of going into the world and making disciples. Matthew 28:19 When did the Christian walk become a seminar where we seek to feel good, fall down on floors or becoming supposedly drunk in the Holy Spirit? Do we mock God? Are we now so arrogant to believe God exists for us? Is this really revival?
No where in scripture, our standard for truth, are we encourage or told to go to meetings or conferences where we are pumped up akin to some worldly rally or seminar. Of course these are held under the guise of taking our county, city or country for God. Has anyone seen this proclamation routinely given bear any fruit? Our country, county and cities are still worldly as ever. We are told to look at the fruit of these false prophets according to scripture. Are we?
Pastors have a responsibility for those they have been entrusted with and will give an account to God according to scripture. What might that responsibility be? To protect from such as these, make disciples, to teach, train and send out. Not to produce ear tickling rallies. I do not know one person who experienced lasting change from such renewals or revivals. Do you?
True revival is Godly conviction producing repentance from our lifestyle. Embracing the cross. Thats what brings lasting change. It makes men and women go out with a message desiring to make disciples. Yet those attending rallies come away pumped declaring that God was surely there and we missed it. Missed what? Has God now become non-omnipresent that we must seek a rally to be touched? Months later those pumped are unchanged and indulging sin without any conviction.
Do people realize these that travel the circuit, for thats what it is, are making large sums of money fleecing the church? A reason they need to continue to seek out new venues or find a pastor who willingly brings them back repeatedly that they might bring “the great word” that is worth being financially supported. People wake up. This is nothing in comparison of what apostle Paul did in going to the churches. He like Jesus gave of himself not to acquire money.
If you knew of some truth or power that would set men free, heal them or deliver them from their dire situations, would you charge for that information or power? Are we so blind? Do we not realize the many people make a living and some a very good one at repackaging whats already in scripture if we will but search it? Men are not our deliverers, Christ is.
Many major christian magazines have advertisements representing the next great line up of traveling ministers. They say it’s the feel good event of the year and not to be missed. Christians will flock to these seminars expecting to hear the next great word from God. These same people also sit in churches Sunday after Sunday waiting to hear a message from their (Moses) representative of God. After years of sitting in Sunday church where a program is centered around a 20 minute message many of these have never led someone to Christ or made a single disciple and we wonder why true and lasting revival tarries. I once attended a church who’s message was, for those who want more than a Sunday morning religion” I yearn for that. I can no longer indulge the lifeless church structures of men. It creates zombies followers without the power of Christ.
Did Christ come and die that we might sit at the feet of other men? Or take up a pew so to speak year after year at the fellowship club we belong to? Where are the men and women with real conviction? Who pursue Christ and pick up their cross daily? Are we now a bunch of impotent Christians that require being pumped up by some traveling salesman?
Michael Smith
9.6.2014
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