Times change. They are always changing. Yet there are some changes that are so significant that they alter the entire course of human history. These defining moments are movements initiate profound shifts in thinking and new ways of living. (For example: The Birth of Christianity, the Rise of Islam, the Renaissance, The Enlightenment, The Protestant Reformation, the Industrial Revolution, The Ascent of Modern Science, and The Information Age).
From our vantage point it appears that we are once again in the midst of such a significant shift. Though it is yet to be named, we are witnessing a profound change. The West has abandoned her orthodox Christian faith, forsaken her moral convictions, and jettisoned her self-confidence. We have sown to the wind, and now we are reaping the whirlwind. (Hosea 8:7).
In our "Brave New World" gender distinctions are blurred, marriage commitments are optional, temporary, and open (one man to one woman, man to man, woman to woman, man to more than one woman, and woman to more than one man), children are disposable, and pleasure is god. Reckless spending by our government has covered the high cost of our feckless living, but htat cannot go on forever. All debts come due.
As the sun of our civilization descends towards the horizon of history, those who are concerned and willing to do what it necessary to halt the decline are few. Fewer still are those who see that our hope rests only in a revival of authentic Scriptural Christianity.
Many years ago, God "sought for a man to stand in the gap and make up the hedge," and then later lamented, "But I found none." (Ezekiel 22:30). Today there are some, but we are few. We take courage in Jonathan's word to his armor bearer, "There is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few." (1 Samuel 14:6) History confirms that Jonathan is right.
By the end of the 1st Century, Christians numbered approximately 6/10ths of 1% (6 out of every 1000) of the world's population. Yet who can doubt the power of those rugged disciples to win the lost and to "turn the world upside down!" (Acts 17:6). Twenty centuries later, the Church of Jesus Christ remains.
At John Wesley's death, fewer than 3/4ths of 1% (7 out of ever 1000) in Great Britain were members of the Methodist socieities. But historians are convinced that Methodism rescued Britain from the brink of anarchy and spared the nation from French-style revolution.
The record is clear. More than great numbers of men, we need great men of God.
Yet some nagging questions remain:
CAN THE SAME HOLY SPIRIT WHO PURIFIED THE HEARTS OF THE DISCIPLES BY FAITH AT PENTECOST (Acts 15:9) SO FILL GOD'S PEOPLE IN OUR DAY THAT WE COULD SEE A REVIVAL OF HOLINESS LIKE THAT OF THE FIRST CENTURY?
It was purity and holiness, not popularity and bigness that moved the first Christians. I suppose that they never got over ( and neither should we) that awesome penalty God exacted of Ananias and Sapphira for lying to the Holy Ghsot (Acts 5:1ff). Peter's rebuke of Simon who wanted to buy the power of the Holy Ghost was unambiguous, "Thy money perish with thee...thy heart is not right in the sight of God." (Acts 8:18ff) And Paul's admonition to the Church at Corinth regarding the professing Christian who was living with his father's wife was clear cut, "Deliver such an one to satan for the destruction of the flesh." (1 Cor. 5:5).
CAN THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT SO ENERGIZED THE METHODISTS TO SPREAD SCRIPTURAL HOLINESS THROUGHOUT THE BRITISH EMPIRE AND ACROSS AMERICA, EMPOWER AND MOBILIZE US TO FILL OUR NATION WITH "HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD?"
Utilizing the means of their day--circuit riding preachers on horse-back, innumerable services, out-door preaching, revivals, and class meetings, as well as the technology of their day the printed page (The Arminian magazine published by the Methodists was for many years the most widely distributed and read magazine in the world), the Methodist influence profoundly hsaped the people and the insitutions of 18th and 19th century Britain and United States.
AND IS THE MIGHTY BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND FIRE ABLE TO OVERCOME THE PERVASIVE INFLUENCE OF THE WORLD, THE FLESH, AND THE DEVIL IN OUR GENERATION?
Is the power of God checked by the forces of technology, media, and all that we call modernity? Is it even possible toget the attention of a generation that is so mesmerized by the media, the internet, and high tech gadgetry? Americans alone send 4 billion texts a day. 280 million Americans will jump on the information super-highway we call the internet. And more Americans have TV's in their homes than have indoor plumbing. Is it possible to overcome this tsunami of iniquity that surrounds us?
NEVER BEFORE HAS THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST FACED THE CHALLENGES POSED BY THE CONVERGENCE OF AN EVER PRESENT TECHNOLOGY that privatizes sin, A TOLERANCE that contextualizes sin and renders right judgment impossible, and A THIS-WORLDLINESS that has no fear of God, of judgment, or of eternity.
YET OUR FAITH STILL HOLDS TO THE CRUCIFIED, BURIED, AND RISEN AGAIN CHRIST. He promised, "Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you!" Surely this power is greater than all the inventions and imaginations of men. It was this power that raised up Christ from the dead. It was this power that raises us up to walk in newness of life. It was this power that sustained the Church of Jesus Christ to this good hour. And it is this power that secures our faith in the future.
JOIN US FEBRUARY 17 & 18, 2011 AT THE ST. LOUIS HOLINESS CONVENTION, Sponsored by the JOHN WESLEY FOUNDATION OF ST. LOUIS, and hosted by FAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH, 2969 N. Lindbergh, St. Ann, MO 63074, AS WE SEEK GOD FOR A FRESH OUTPOURING OF PENTECOSTAL POWER ON HIS PEOPLE, A REVITALIZED CHURCH, AND A RENEWED CONFIDENCE IN OUR MESSAGE! "Holiness unto the Lord, now and forever!"
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
SATAN'S SEARCH AND DESTROY MISSION
In Matthew 2:13 we read, "And when they were departed, behold the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him."
While Mary held the precious Son of God in her arms, as Joseph looked on in amazement, while Shepherds glorified the Christ child, and Wise Men from the East presented Him gifts, Jesus was not revered, reverenced, nor received by most--especially the civic, religious, and self-righteous leaders of His day.
Herod, who had himself appointed "The King of the Jews" by the Roman Senate, was on a search and destroy mission before our Lord had reached his second birthday.
HEROD WILL SEEK TO DESTROY HIM the angel warned Joseph. And so the holy family moved south into Egypt until it was safe for them to return to Nazareth in Galilee.
CERTAINLY THE ENEMIES OF CHRIST WERE NUMEROUS DURING HIS 33 YEAR SOJOURN ON EARTH.
There were religious enemies. The Pharisees--that strict band of legalists--who used the law to break the law of God--were His ardent antagonists. Their system was threatened by His sincerity.
There were political enemies. Herod, and then Pilate were out to execute Jesus. Their system was threatened by His authority.
There were carnal, self-righteous men, who would take up stones to kill Jesus when He identified himself as "I AM." (John 8:59). Their comfortable world view was threatened by the power of His Truth.
AFTER THE LORD JESUS ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, CHRIST'S BODY ON EARTH--THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST--WAS STILL IN THE CROSS HAIRS OF A SEARCH AND DESTROY MISSION.
Dr. Thompson, on his Apologetics Web Site, put it this way, "Christ and His Gospel message turned the world of the first century upside down (Acts 17:6). Even His worst enemies recognized the impact He was having. When the Pharisees and cheif priests sent their officers to seize Christ on one occasion, the officers returned empty handed. When asked why they had failed in their quest, the only answer they could offer was, 'Never a man spake like this man.'" (john 7:46).
"As Christianity spread, its enemies no longer were content merely to object to its central tenets or those who espoused them. Eventually, vocal disagreement gave way to physical violence. The efforts of the Roman emperor Nero to obliterate Christ's message by charging His followers with all manner of falsehoods, and killing them by the thousands, are well documented."
"Try as they might, however Christ's enemies could not accomplish their ill fated goal. While its foes consigned it to die a thousand deaths, the 'corpse of Christianity,' never remained in the grave. With each persecution it grew stronger and spread farther. ...So the enemies of Christ took to discrediting the sources of Christian revelation, to undermining the principles of Christ, and to destroying or diminishing the disciplines of Christ."
There really is nothing new under the sun. Satan's attack has been from the beginning, injecting doubt "hath God said?" and then deceiving, "Ye shall not surely die!"
Enemies like Porphyry in the Ancient world, Voltaire in the Renaissance, David Hume, Renen, and Darwin, in the 18th and 19th centuries, and John Dewey in the 20th century, raised significant challenges to the Christian Church.
THE CHURCH OF OUR DAY SEEMS ILL-PREPARED TO MEET THE CHALLENGE OF THIS HOUR.
The Barna Group surveyed 5,000 people to assess the key trends facing the Church in 2011. Their six findings are in sync with our own observations:
1. The Christian Church is becoming less theologically literate.
2. Christians are becoming more ingrown and less outreach oriented.
3. Growing numbers of people are less interested in spiritual principles and more desirous of learning practical solutions for life.
4. Among Chrisitans, interest in participating in community action is escalating.
5. THE POST-MODERN INSISTENCE ON TOLERANCE IS WINNING OVER THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
6. The INFLUENCE OF CHRISTIANITY ON CULTURE AND INDIVIDUAL LIVES IS LARGELY INVISIBLE. (I might add a corollary truth: THE INFLUENCE OF CULTURE ON CHRISTIANITY IS PROFOUNDLY VISIBLE!)
Today the SEARCH AND DESTROY mission is led not only by avowed atheists and famed skeptics, but it is spearheaded by those who would strip the church of her doctrine, her distinctives, and her disciplines.
By DOCTRINE we mean the fundamental truths revealed in Scripture regarding the nature of God, the nature of man, sin, salvation, sanctification, glorification, heaven and hell.
By DISTINCTIVES we mean the Scriptural principles that govern God's Church. We are to be holy! We are to be righteous! We are to be loving. We are to be humble. We are to be submissive.
By DISCIPLINES we mean the particular application of doctrine and distinctives.
For example, one of our distinctives is gender specificity. We reject unisex. Each gender should think, act, and present themselves as distinct from the other. Men should dress in such a way that no one would doubt their masculinity--not in skirts, or blouses, sissy looking attire, or with jewelry. God's ladies should dress in such a way that no one would doubt their effeminacy--not in trousers and macho-looking clothing. There is a reason that God inspired Moses to write, "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall the man put on a woman's garment, for all that do so are an abomination unto the Lord thy God." Deut. 22:5. Orthodox Jewish woman and men dress distinctively. Their women wear modest skirts and dresses, never trousers. Their men never wear effeminate looking clothing.
It is our conviction that because the Church of Jesus Christ refused to insist on this distinction that our culture has become confused about gender and thus we see the specter of men marrying men, and women marrying women. God had a reason for making this rule. He knew that fallen men could not fulfill their God-given roles unless they thought, acted, and looked the part.
Another Example: As Christians another of our distinctives is modesty. The Bible teaches that women are to dress in modest apparel. Our discipline then requires us to make specific standards. For men, keep your shirts on and your pants pulled up and long. For women, keep a sleeve in your blouses, keep them buttoned so as not to be revealing, and keep your skirts below the knee.
Another of our distinctives is "to avoid the appearance of evil," and to "keep ourselves pure." So our discipline urges us to avoid entertainments on the screen, the stage, on the airwaves, or over the internet, that are not of good report.
We also oppose pride and embrace humility. So simplicity in dress as the Apostle Paul would put it, "not with gold, and pearls, and costly array," is not optional. This is an expression of hearts whose sole purpose is to glorify God and not self.
TRAGICALLY THE SEARCH AND DESTROY MISSION HAS NEARLY SILENCED THE PULPITS AND PEOPLE OF THE LIVING GOD. "Legalism" they cry. "Legal" we reply.
IF THERE WAS EVER A DAY WHEN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST NEEDED A REVIVAL OF PURE, AUTHENTIC, ORIGINAL RECIPE, FIRST CENTURY CHRISTIANITY it is ours. It is our only hope to thwart and defend against Satan's search and destroy mission.
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HEARD OF AN ARMY THAT WON BY SURRENDERING? Why do we think that the Church of Jesus Christ will win in our day, by surrendering to the culture--the carnal spirit of this age.
COMPROMISING IN THE NAME OF "SEEKER SENSITIVE," OR "RELEVANCY" has only weakened the church. Our numbers are lower than ever. Our influence in our nation has never been weaker.
JOSEPH SAVED THE LORD JESUS FROM HEROD'S WRATH BY OBEYING THE WORD OF GOD. Only obedience will save Christ's body--the Church, and our own souls today.
While Mary held the precious Son of God in her arms, as Joseph looked on in amazement, while Shepherds glorified the Christ child, and Wise Men from the East presented Him gifts, Jesus was not revered, reverenced, nor received by most--especially the civic, religious, and self-righteous leaders of His day.
Herod, who had himself appointed "The King of the Jews" by the Roman Senate, was on a search and destroy mission before our Lord had reached his second birthday.
HEROD WILL SEEK TO DESTROY HIM the angel warned Joseph. And so the holy family moved south into Egypt until it was safe for them to return to Nazareth in Galilee.
CERTAINLY THE ENEMIES OF CHRIST WERE NUMEROUS DURING HIS 33 YEAR SOJOURN ON EARTH.
There were religious enemies. The Pharisees--that strict band of legalists--who used the law to break the law of God--were His ardent antagonists. Their system was threatened by His sincerity.
There were political enemies. Herod, and then Pilate were out to execute Jesus. Their system was threatened by His authority.
There were carnal, self-righteous men, who would take up stones to kill Jesus when He identified himself as "I AM." (John 8:59). Their comfortable world view was threatened by the power of His Truth.
AFTER THE LORD JESUS ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, CHRIST'S BODY ON EARTH--THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST--WAS STILL IN THE CROSS HAIRS OF A SEARCH AND DESTROY MISSION.
Dr. Thompson, on his Apologetics Web Site, put it this way, "Christ and His Gospel message turned the world of the first century upside down (Acts 17:6). Even His worst enemies recognized the impact He was having. When the Pharisees and cheif priests sent their officers to seize Christ on one occasion, the officers returned empty handed. When asked why they had failed in their quest, the only answer they could offer was, 'Never a man spake like this man.'" (john 7:46).
"As Christianity spread, its enemies no longer were content merely to object to its central tenets or those who espoused them. Eventually, vocal disagreement gave way to physical violence. The efforts of the Roman emperor Nero to obliterate Christ's message by charging His followers with all manner of falsehoods, and killing them by the thousands, are well documented."
"Try as they might, however Christ's enemies could not accomplish their ill fated goal. While its foes consigned it to die a thousand deaths, the 'corpse of Christianity,' never remained in the grave. With each persecution it grew stronger and spread farther. ...So the enemies of Christ took to discrediting the sources of Christian revelation, to undermining the principles of Christ, and to destroying or diminishing the disciplines of Christ."
There really is nothing new under the sun. Satan's attack has been from the beginning, injecting doubt "hath God said?" and then deceiving, "Ye shall not surely die!"
Enemies like Porphyry in the Ancient world, Voltaire in the Renaissance, David Hume, Renen, and Darwin, in the 18th and 19th centuries, and John Dewey in the 20th century, raised significant challenges to the Christian Church.
THE CHURCH OF OUR DAY SEEMS ILL-PREPARED TO MEET THE CHALLENGE OF THIS HOUR.
The Barna Group surveyed 5,000 people to assess the key trends facing the Church in 2011. Their six findings are in sync with our own observations:
1. The Christian Church is becoming less theologically literate.
2. Christians are becoming more ingrown and less outreach oriented.
3. Growing numbers of people are less interested in spiritual principles and more desirous of learning practical solutions for life.
4. Among Chrisitans, interest in participating in community action is escalating.
5. THE POST-MODERN INSISTENCE ON TOLERANCE IS WINNING OVER THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
6. The INFLUENCE OF CHRISTIANITY ON CULTURE AND INDIVIDUAL LIVES IS LARGELY INVISIBLE. (I might add a corollary truth: THE INFLUENCE OF CULTURE ON CHRISTIANITY IS PROFOUNDLY VISIBLE!)
Today the SEARCH AND DESTROY mission is led not only by avowed atheists and famed skeptics, but it is spearheaded by those who would strip the church of her doctrine, her distinctives, and her disciplines.
By DOCTRINE we mean the fundamental truths revealed in Scripture regarding the nature of God, the nature of man, sin, salvation, sanctification, glorification, heaven and hell.
By DISTINCTIVES we mean the Scriptural principles that govern God's Church. We are to be holy! We are to be righteous! We are to be loving. We are to be humble. We are to be submissive.
By DISCIPLINES we mean the particular application of doctrine and distinctives.
For example, one of our distinctives is gender specificity. We reject unisex. Each gender should think, act, and present themselves as distinct from the other. Men should dress in such a way that no one would doubt their masculinity--not in skirts, or blouses, sissy looking attire, or with jewelry. God's ladies should dress in such a way that no one would doubt their effeminacy--not in trousers and macho-looking clothing. There is a reason that God inspired Moses to write, "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall the man put on a woman's garment, for all that do so are an abomination unto the Lord thy God." Deut. 22:5. Orthodox Jewish woman and men dress distinctively. Their women wear modest skirts and dresses, never trousers. Their men never wear effeminate looking clothing.
It is our conviction that because the Church of Jesus Christ refused to insist on this distinction that our culture has become confused about gender and thus we see the specter of men marrying men, and women marrying women. God had a reason for making this rule. He knew that fallen men could not fulfill their God-given roles unless they thought, acted, and looked the part.
Another Example: As Christians another of our distinctives is modesty. The Bible teaches that women are to dress in modest apparel. Our discipline then requires us to make specific standards. For men, keep your shirts on and your pants pulled up and long. For women, keep a sleeve in your blouses, keep them buttoned so as not to be revealing, and keep your skirts below the knee.
Another of our distinctives is "to avoid the appearance of evil," and to "keep ourselves pure." So our discipline urges us to avoid entertainments on the screen, the stage, on the airwaves, or over the internet, that are not of good report.
We also oppose pride and embrace humility. So simplicity in dress as the Apostle Paul would put it, "not with gold, and pearls, and costly array," is not optional. This is an expression of hearts whose sole purpose is to glorify God and not self.
TRAGICALLY THE SEARCH AND DESTROY MISSION HAS NEARLY SILENCED THE PULPITS AND PEOPLE OF THE LIVING GOD. "Legalism" they cry. "Legal" we reply.
IF THERE WAS EVER A DAY WHEN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST NEEDED A REVIVAL OF PURE, AUTHENTIC, ORIGINAL RECIPE, FIRST CENTURY CHRISTIANITY it is ours. It is our only hope to thwart and defend against Satan's search and destroy mission.
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HEARD OF AN ARMY THAT WON BY SURRENDERING? Why do we think that the Church of Jesus Christ will win in our day, by surrendering to the culture--the carnal spirit of this age.
COMPROMISING IN THE NAME OF "SEEKER SENSITIVE," OR "RELEVANCY" has only weakened the church. Our numbers are lower than ever. Our influence in our nation has never been weaker.
JOSEPH SAVED THE LORD JESUS FROM HEROD'S WRATH BY OBEYING THE WORD OF GOD. Only obedience will save Christ's body--the Church, and our own souls today.
OUR CALLING TO FULFILL
The mission of our church is specific:
...To proclaim God's Truth (revealed without error in the Bible),
...To evangelize the lost,
...To be faithful disciples--followers of Jesus Christ,
...To example Christ-like love for God and for one another,
...To promote Scriptural holiness of heart and life, and
...To advance Christian virtue in the public square.
In recent months we have become increasingly aware of this fact: It is much easier to state a mission, than it is to fulfill a mission!
To fulfill the mission God has given us, will require specific commitments by God's people.
1. IF THERE IS WARMTH THERE MUST BE LOVE!
If our services are to be noted for spiritual warmth, there must be that "going the extra mile," self-less, hospitable, caring, sacrificial, loyal love.
2. IF THERE IS OUTREACH THERE MUST BE REACH-OUT!
It is not enough to pray that God will send in the lost, we must go to them. Jesus said, "Go ye therefore and teach all nations." (Matthew 28:19ff)
3. IF THERE IS POWER THERE MUST BE PRAYER!
Powerlessness is the inevitable consequence of prayerlessness. Our prayer life must be faithful, consistent, insistent, and persistent!
4. IF THERE IS WORSHIP THERE MUST BE SACRIFICE!
The English word from which we derive "worship" is "worth-ship." It is only when we consider the presence of God greater worth than the fleeting pleasures and treasures of earth, that we can experience true worship. Paying the price of holy discipline, giving our voices and our attention and involvement in worship are vital to experiencing the presense of God.
Those who see the cross, will with Isaac Watts testify, "all the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood," and then know the joy and wonder of worship.
5. IF THERE IS CONVICTION THERE MUST BE TRUTH!
The tragedy of our times is that too many preachers fear to tell the truth, and too many in the pews do not want to hear the truth. It is no wonder that there is so little conviction in our services.
6. IF THERE IS PEACE, THERE MUST BE WAR!
Churches that have surrendered to the spirit of the age, to the world, the flesh, and the devil, will never know the peace of God that passes understanding. Only those who have declared war on the enemies of man's soul will know peace.
7. IF THERE IS VICTORY, THERE MUST BE SURRENDER!
Not surrender to the enemy, rather an unconditional surrender to do the whole will of God. Those who testify, "All to Jesus I Surrender" will testify with the songwriter, "Gone is the battle that once raged within, I have peace."
In conclusion we would note that for every soul, and for every church, IF THERE IS HEAVEN THERE MUST BE HOLINESS. The Scripture declares, "Pursue peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord." "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." This holiness is not imputed, rather it is imparted by the Spirit of Holiness to all who "hunger and thirst after righteousness."
May God enable His Church to rise up in this late hour, to declare the whole counsel of god, and to be the Church He has called us to be in this generation. Charles Wesley's testimony is our prayer:
A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify
A never-dying soul to save,
And fit it for the skies.
To serve this present age,
My calling to fulfill,
Oh may it all my powers engage,
To do my Master's will.
Arm me with jealous care,
As in thy sight to live,
And O thy servant Lord prepare
A strict account to give.
Help me to watch and pray,
And on thyself rely,
Assured if I my trust betray,
I shall forever die.
...To proclaim God's Truth (revealed without error in the Bible),
...To evangelize the lost,
...To be faithful disciples--followers of Jesus Christ,
...To example Christ-like love for God and for one another,
...To promote Scriptural holiness of heart and life, and
...To advance Christian virtue in the public square.
In recent months we have become increasingly aware of this fact: It is much easier to state a mission, than it is to fulfill a mission!
To fulfill the mission God has given us, will require specific commitments by God's people.
1. IF THERE IS WARMTH THERE MUST BE LOVE!
If our services are to be noted for spiritual warmth, there must be that "going the extra mile," self-less, hospitable, caring, sacrificial, loyal love.
2. IF THERE IS OUTREACH THERE MUST BE REACH-OUT!
It is not enough to pray that God will send in the lost, we must go to them. Jesus said, "Go ye therefore and teach all nations." (Matthew 28:19ff)
3. IF THERE IS POWER THERE MUST BE PRAYER!
Powerlessness is the inevitable consequence of prayerlessness. Our prayer life must be faithful, consistent, insistent, and persistent!
4. IF THERE IS WORSHIP THERE MUST BE SACRIFICE!
The English word from which we derive "worship" is "worth-ship." It is only when we consider the presence of God greater worth than the fleeting pleasures and treasures of earth, that we can experience true worship. Paying the price of holy discipline, giving our voices and our attention and involvement in worship are vital to experiencing the presense of God.
Those who see the cross, will with Isaac Watts testify, "all the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood," and then know the joy and wonder of worship.
5. IF THERE IS CONVICTION THERE MUST BE TRUTH!
The tragedy of our times is that too many preachers fear to tell the truth, and too many in the pews do not want to hear the truth. It is no wonder that there is so little conviction in our services.
6. IF THERE IS PEACE, THERE MUST BE WAR!
Churches that have surrendered to the spirit of the age, to the world, the flesh, and the devil, will never know the peace of God that passes understanding. Only those who have declared war on the enemies of man's soul will know peace.
7. IF THERE IS VICTORY, THERE MUST BE SURRENDER!
Not surrender to the enemy, rather an unconditional surrender to do the whole will of God. Those who testify, "All to Jesus I Surrender" will testify with the songwriter, "Gone is the battle that once raged within, I have peace."
In conclusion we would note that for every soul, and for every church, IF THERE IS HEAVEN THERE MUST BE HOLINESS. The Scripture declares, "Pursue peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord." "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." This holiness is not imputed, rather it is imparted by the Spirit of Holiness to all who "hunger and thirst after righteousness."
May God enable His Church to rise up in this late hour, to declare the whole counsel of god, and to be the Church He has called us to be in this generation. Charles Wesley's testimony is our prayer:
A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify
A never-dying soul to save,
And fit it for the skies.
To serve this present age,
My calling to fulfill,
Oh may it all my powers engage,
To do my Master's will.
Arm me with jealous care,
As in thy sight to live,
And O thy servant Lord prepare
A strict account to give.
Help me to watch and pray,
And on thyself rely,
Assured if I my trust betray,
I shall forever die.
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