A Message for the Churches

Hebrews 10:23-27 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.”

This is a tough message to the churches. All I can say is that I speak what God lays on my heart. The Lord is drawing His children to Him, like a mother hen gathering her chicks (Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34). Are you ready? Are you prepared? What is God saying to you? What would YOU DO if JESUS came to YOUR CHURCH?

Ma 23:37; Lu 13:34 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling."

We need to first look at how Jesus Christ was received by his own church(es) called synagogues. We know that as a child he was full of knowledge and wisdom and sat for days among the teachers, who were astounded at his understanding (Luke 2:46-47). At the time, this was not a “threat” to them. However, when Jesus was a young man, their attitude changed.

In Mark 1:21-28 and Luke 4:33-37 Jesus taught as one having authority, and not as the scribes. We see accounts where Jesus was not received in his own synagogue because they simply knew him as the son of Mary and Joseph, a carpenter. They took offense to Him and tried to catch him breaking the Jewish law, and “trap Him” with trick questions. The more Jesus taught, and especially in matters addressing the sin of the church, the more they conspired as to how they might destroy Him. What really angered them is when Jesus called them “hypocrites” and humiliated them, while the multitudes rejoiced at the glorious things He had done (Luke 13:10-17). In John 18:19-24 Jesus didn’t appear to be showing “respect” to the high priest and was bound and taken to Caiaphas. Eventually, we know that these very leaders are the ones responsible for putting Jesus on the cross.  

WOW. But, you say those were synagogues. They didn’t believe Jesus Christ was their Messiah. We would gladly open our doors and receive Him! Well, we are told that he who does not receive the Son cannot come to the Father, right? How does Jesus feel when a church does not receive His children? Let’s look at some of the issues exemplified in the Word:

The synagogues treated the apostles like they were “little Christs”. Like Christ, they were rejected for like reasons. How about Stephen? Acts 6:9-12 states that they were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking, and they ended up stoning him!

What about Paul? He wasn’t of the original twelve disciples. The Christians feared him! Yet, knowing he was their previous adversary, God gave them the faith to receive him and his powerful testimony! Paul wrote over half of the New Testament scriptures we live by today. The noble synagogue in Berea received the words of Paul and Barnabus with great enthusiasm and searched the scriptures daily to prove what they said! However, the synagogue in Thessalonica, prior to them escaping to Berea, nearly stoned them!

Speaking of testimony, what about the blind man who was given his sight and, as Jesus directed him, went to tell the Pharisees (per the Jewish custom), who in turn said, “You were born entirely in sins and are you teaching us?! “ And they put him out of the synagogue! He was a “nobody”.

And worst of all, when some of the Pharisees actually believed, they wouldn’t admit it, for FEAR they would also be put out of the synagogue! Nicodemus was a prime example. Why did he go to Jesus in secret? They loved the approval of men more than God (John 12:42-43). Wow, this is a powerful message to the pastors today. Do you have the courage to stand up for the truth? For the moving of the Holy Spirit in spite of the limitations of your superiors?

So why have churches fallen apart? Isn’t is obvious? Hypocrisy, which stifles, cuts down, and prevents growth in the church. There’s competitiveness, threat, jealousies, strife! LEGALISM, methodology! Oh Lord ~ God has called us to peace and to edify His body! What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself? Are we busy about “loving others”, but not our own body of believers?

1 Peter 4:17 states, "For the time has come for judgement to begin with the household of God..."

In the Book of Revelation, we see a few “charges” God has against the churches:

Charge 1: “You have left your first love.”

Charge 2: “I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die, for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.”

Charge 3: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.”

Matthew 23:13 Jesus says, “Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from men; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.”

Matthew 23:38 “Behold, your house is being left to you desolate!”

Many believers that are on FIRE for the Lord don’t want to come near a church for these reasons (to have the FIRE put out). But, as God leads them to you, are you READY to receive them? Will you scatter because you won’t be able to handle the Light of the Lord Jesus?

Believers, whether you do not attend a church, whether you do, whether you are a pastor, teacher or hold any other office of the church, if you feel stifled for any reason, be encouraged! Let God keep your FIRE HOT! Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in the midst of them, saith the Lord! (Matthew 18:20)

Oh, the promise of the Lord who is with us! Acts 18:9-10 “And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, ‘Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.”

Matthew 4:23-24 states that the news spread about Jesus and they came seeking Him! If you’re church body is on FIRE for Jesus, many will come seeking! The Word says, “In the last days I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy!...” (Acts 2:17)

In John 16:7 Jesus says, “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” Likewise John 14:12 already told us this Helper will enable us to do greater things than Jesus did!

Matthew 9:35-38 states that “the harvest is RIPE, and the workers are FEW”!! Don’t let the church become a “synagogue of Satan”, keeping the fire of the Holy Spirit at a slow simmer. The days are getting short, and the churches need to get on FIRE. Hallelujiah!!

1. Do you perceive newcomers as a threat?

2. Do you gladly receive the revived ministry of your own members, without taking offense?

3. Do you judge whether s/he is of God by looking for the breaking of laws or theological slip-ups?

4. Is there any jealousy because of multitudes responding to the message of Jesus through someone else?

5. Do you experience anger at not being shown the “respect” the “church leaders” expect?

6. Are you unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit by which converts on FIRE speak?

7. Does a forgiven sinner’s testimony have less merit or is it stifled?

8. Does a forgiven sinner with the gift of teaching not have the right to “teach” you because s/he is not certified by man to do so?

9. Do you fear the leaders of the church putting you out if you usurp the authority in Christ over theirs?

10. Are we not loving the body of Christ as we “love others”?

11. Have you left your first love?

12. Is your church claiming to be alive, but is about to die?

13. Is your church neither hot or cold, but lukewarm?

14. Is the church stifling the FIRE of the Holy Spirit?

15. Does your church acknowledge that all flesh will be prophesying, even women?

16. Is your church allowing the Holy Spirit to complete the works God has planned for you?