In post number 45; Sermon on the Mount Secrets - How to be Perfecthttps://bibbytes.blogspot.com/2019/11/45-sermon-on-mount-secrets-how-to-be.html, we
started to discuss what an exciting, co-operating church would be like. What we
usually see in churches today is some form of singing that is called praise and
worship. One or more musical instruments lead the people who, often passively
(forgive me, but everyone knows his own heart) sing along. In some cases, a
worship leader directs the congregation in singing the various choruses. Songs of
praise, which are considered of jubilant nature, are sung first, followed by
worship. Worship songs are usually considered slower songs that would incline
worshippers to a prayerful attitude and atmosphere.
In some churches, time is then
allowed for individuals to bring a word, a
Then comes the preaching of the Word
of God, and in some churches it is followed by ministry on a personal level,
because needs are often brought to the surface through the revelation of God’s
Word. This is because God is always faithful even though we are unfaithful. He
will always take any Christian church service seriously and will always be there.
“For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them,” (Matthew 18:20). He will always
receive any form of praise and will always minister to those who love Him.
The question, however, is what is in
the hearts of the church attendees? A pastor once illustrated the way God
experiences praise. He said that the Lord sees our heart, and therefore, while
we sing, “How great thou art,” He probably hears, “Look at Laura, wearing the
same dress again today,” or, “Why does the pastor wear that shiny suit?”
We laugh,
but often our thoughts are not with the Lord. We allow our carnal minds to
reign. What do we have to praise God for? What fills our minds—excitement about
God? Aren’t most people self-centered, seeing only their own needs and therefore
focusing on them during worship?
“What then
shall we say, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, or a word
of instruction, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must
be done for the strengthening of the church,” (1 Corinthians 14:26).
To my joy, our pastors once decided
that every home cell should have a weekly project of serving one another and
the community. If we do, and every Sunday, we testify about the greatness of
God who worked with and through us, would we not enter worship with a totally
different attitude? Would we not have reason to praise God, and would our minds
not be filled constantly with those good works we saw the Lord doing? Would
others, who may be young Christians or who have grown cold and passive, not be
motivated to follow suit? If a prophecy or interpretation of tongues was
brought, would we not listen to it with the intention of acting on it? Is this
not the way to start a revival instead of waiting endlessly for the Lord to do
something? A child waits on his dad to do something about the problem, but a
mature person applies what his dad taught him and does something about it
himself.
What does revival mean? If you want to revive
a neglected business, you want to restore it back to its former glory. Waiting
for the manager to do something wouldn’t accomplish your goal. His task would
be guiding the revival process, but the revival would take hard work from each
employee. For the church to revive to its former Book-of-Acts glory will take hard,
consistent work from every disciple, under the Holy Spirit’s direction.
Be perfect (mature), therefore, as
your heavenly Father is perfect (mature).
Once again; I have written the above years ago and are posting it here now. I have always believed and promoted that believers should make revival happen. We shouldn't wait for revival to happen and thus for God to do something. We should simply obey Jesus'command in Matthew 28:18-20: And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen, and in Mark 16:15-18: And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover,” and we'll see revival.
In the meantime, the Lord has raised up a movement that do church as the disciples in the book of Acts have done it - that make revival happen. The past two weeks we've seen enough healings, rebirths, and people filled with the Holy Spirit, for us to overflow with joy, and as a result, worship the Lord from the depth of our hearts - not only with empty songs.
What do you think? Would you like to become a disciple serving the Lord in total obedience to His abovementioned Great Commission?
Have a look at these links:
- Examples of active obedience to the Great Commission.
- An explanation of how small-group churches can function.
- Exciting teachings about the true church.
If you have any questions, please contact me at cwhl@live.co.uk.
For children and adults who are prepared to learn in a childlike way. For more information see http://t-a-c.co.za.
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