THE MAIN THING - HOLINESS

THE ONE “MUST HAVE”

Several years ago Professor Keith Drury shocked his audience at the Presidential Breakfast of the Christian Holiness Association when he declared, “THE HOLINESS MOVEMENT IS DEAD.” That address (http://www.drurywriting.com/keith/dead.footnoted.htm) certainly stirred great passions among those of us who identify with the message of Scriptural holiness.

Drury could not have been more right when he observed, “Holiness is our stated belief. But in most places we don’t make it the main thing.” 

I am heartbroken when I see how far we have drifted from our emphasis upon holiness. 

We used to believe that “without holiness no man shall see the Lord.” 

We used to believe in first blessing holiness--loving obedience to all of God’s will—was the one infallible mark of the new birth.

We used to believe in second blessing holiness—that the grand purpose of Christ’s redemption was to “destroy the works of the devil” and that in a moment of time, God’s Spirit would purify our hearts of carnality and fill us with a perfect love for God.

We used to believe that professing Christians who went on and on about grace and faith and God’s love were tragically missing that one vital “must have”—namely Holiness. 

We used to believe that grace was grace to live godly lives not to excuse sin.

We used to believe that faith was faith that overcomes the world, the flesh, and the devil, not some silly positive affirmation grounded in nothing but pretend.

We used to believe that God’s love is amazing, but we knew that ultimately it is our love for God that is the one “must have!”  We will be judged on our love for God, not His love for us.

We used to believe that any preacher who preached without offending the devil, defending the Word, naming sin, and proclaiming holiness was wasting our time and his.

We used to believe that music that sounded sensual and of the world had no place in the worship of the Holy!

We used to be believe that holiness meant separation from the world!  Its amusements, its adornments, it attractions held no sway for us.  We didn’t want to look like the world, we didn’t want to act like the world, and we didn’t want to be of this world.

We used to believe that if any church nearby would dare to stand up and declare “HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD”—we ought to lend our influence, our support, and our encouragement to them, before spending our time with those who have taken the broad path of accommodation and compromise.

We used to believe that we were called to spread Scriptural holiness throughout our land and around the globe.  Many of our forebears “rode hard and died young” as they travelled by horseback proclaiming holiness.  Today we can’t even get a few believers together to talk missions—even if we offer them pizza.

We used to believe that if we were not holy we would be forever lost in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone.  It was holiness or hell. 

THE ST LOUIS HOLINESS CONVENTION has been called to the kingdom for such a time as this to “stir up our pure minds by way of remembrance,” and to reclaim again THE MAIN THING—namely HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD!

A SUMMONS TO LEADERSHIP

"Give me 100 men who love only God with all their heart, 

and hate only sin with all their heart,...

we will shake the gates of hell, 

and bring in the kingdom of God in one generation."  

John Wesley

 As Commander in Chief of the greatest military force on earth, the President of the United States will often summon the Joint Chiefs of Staff from the Pentagon to convene in the White House to offer a first-hand situation report from the battle front.  Their assessments, detailed analysis, and strategic recommendations are vital for victory.

As a 4^th generation preacher of holiness who has lived all his life in a parsonage, a church-planter in one of America’s largest cities, a student of Church history, a first-hand witness to the breathtaking changes sweeping across the American Church, an observer of modern culture, and a Christian optimist convinced that “the gates of hell will not prevail,” I am concerned.

Our greatest concern is not with the people who are filling our pews, rather it is focused on those who have accepted the mantle of leadership.  Those whom God has called and gifted to be prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11), are too often beset with complacency, lethargy, uncertainty, futility, pessimism, and distraction. 

COMPLACENCY

Unaware of the urgency of the hour, the necessity of their voice, and the importance of their place in the battle, they have succumbed to complacency and a pathetic apathy.  They lament, “There’s nothing that we can really do.”   They may not admit that they no longer care, but their choices and their voices betray their apathetic spirit.

LETHARGY

Sadly, those who see the need are often too lazy to get up and engage the enemy.  Their minds have been numbed by the idiocy of modern media and gaming, their bodies are weakened by their lack of discipline and lack of restraint, and like the sleeping disciples in Gethsemane, “their flesh is weak.”

UNCERTAINTY

Tragically, the constant din of skeptics, cynics, and the faithless, have worn down that intense sense of conviction that once burned in the hearts of those on the front lines in the battle for truth. Where are those who will declare, “Thus saith the Lord!”  Where are those who will challenge this generation, “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.”  Where are those who will confront sinners, “Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 5:3) Where are the men of solid Scriptural conviction? 

FUTILITY

Some are overwhelmed by the sense that their efforts are futile.  They suppose that anything they do, any call they make, any sermon they preach, any plan they make, and any prayer they pray is of little or no worth.  Futility makes them fruitless.

PESSIMISM

Pessimists are certainly not in short supply!  I would love to have a nickel for every time a leader has said to me, “We will never again experience revival,” “It will never be as great as it was in the old days,” “It’s not possible to see people genuinely converted,” “Calling doesn’t work,” or “No one will ever see the significance of separation from the world.”

These nattering nabobs of negativity are so paralyzed by pessimism, they have abandoned any expectation that God can move in their work.   I have heard them confess that if they can just get their immediate family to heaven they will be satisfied.  Sadly, some despair of their own salvation.

DISTRACTION

And distraction—the allure of entertainments, the desire for and the maintenance of our possessions, along with the never ending, always increasing press of daily life (i.e. errands, appointments, visits, caring for family needs, calls, e-mails, facebook, twitter)—has so weighted down some of our best leaders, they are delayed from, or totally kept from, their place of duty.

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THE 2012 ST. LOUIS HOLINESS CONVENTION is a wonderful place for CHRISTIAN LEADERS, PASTORS, MISSIONARIES, and CONCERNED CONGREGATIONS to assemble together for concerted prayer, insightful teaching, stimulating conversation, powerful preaching, and “koinania”—close Christian fellowship.

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WE ARE NOT IGNORANT OF OUR SITUATION!  We are not blind to the onslaught of the enemy.  And we are not unwilling to face facts.

BUT THAT IS WHY WE ARE OPTIMISTIC!

The Lord Jesus said, “I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH!”  And He will!

Jesus declared, “YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER AFTER THAT THE HOLY GHOST IS COME!”  The disciples did, and we will too!

The empty tomb, the power of Pentecost, and the infallible revelation of God’s Word, are our guarantee.  THIS is no time for complacency, lethargy, uncertainty, futility, pessimism or distraction!

This is the time for GOD PEOPLE to gather together, pray for a fresh outpouring of Pentecostal power, and rise up to flood the whole earth with the glorious gospel of full salvation and “holiness unto the Lord.”

5 POWERFUL DAYS OF PRAYING, PREACHING, TEACHING, CONVERSATION, AND FELLOWSHIP
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15 - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19

The Convention & Indoor Campmeeting Schedule are under the leadership of the HOLY SPIRIT and our plans will give way to HIS! 

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2012       

6:30 pm  DOORS OPEN FOR PRAYER
7:00 pm  EVANGELIST P. L. LIDDELL (Church of the Nazarene, Michigan)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012          

9:00 am  PRAYER GATHERING & DEVOTION
10:00      OPENING CHALLENGE - PASTOR RICK JONES (Crusaders, Missouri)
11:00      EVANGELIST BEN CRAWFORD (Bible Methodist Connection, Alabama)

LUNCH BREAK - Served in the parsonage next door. Enjoy great food and fellowship.

1:30 pm  PASTOR ANDREW DURST (Great Commission Camp, Illinois)
2:15       THE GREAT CONVERSATION (A open discussion time)
3:15       MELVIN WATERS, (Wesleyan Nazarene Church, Arkansas)
4:00       KEN THOMPSON, (Church of God Holiness, Missouri)

EVENING MEAL - Served in the parsonage next door. Stay to visit with others attending. 

7:00 pm  WILLIAM CAWMAN, (Emmanuel Church Association, New Jersey)
Singing by the Duane Elmore Family (Bible Holiness Church, Missouri)

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2012                  

9:00 am  PRAYER GATHERING AND DEVOTION BY P L LIDDELL 
10:00      GARY JACKSON (Bible Methodist, Pastors Troy Bible Holiness, Missouri)
11:00      WALLACE THORNTON, Sr. (Church of the Nazarene, Kentucky)
LUNCH BREAK - Served in the parsonage next door. Enjoy great food and fellowship.
1:30 pm  MISSIONARY STEVE GIBSON (Holiness Pilgrim Mission, Indiana)
2:15 pm  THE GREAT CONVERSATION (A open discussion time)
3:00 pm  MARK AVERY, (Church of God Holiness, Missouri)
3:30 pm  MARSH JONES, (Crusaders Church, Illinois)
4:00 pm  GENE HOOD, (Independent Church of the Nazarene, Indiana)

EVENING MEAL - Served in the parsonage next door. Stay to visit with others attending. 

7:00 pm  WILLIAM CAWMAN, (Emmanuel Church Association, New Jersey)
Singing by the Duane Elmore Family (Bible Holiness Church, Missouri)

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2012       
        10:00 am  SOUL-WINNING, WORK and WITNESS

6:30 pm  PRAYER SERVICE
7:00       EVANGELIST BEN CRAWFORD (Bible Methodist Connection, Alabama)

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2012       

9:00 am  Sunday School Bus Rolls
10:45      SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVOCATION
11:00      MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE (Evangelist P L Liddell)
6 pm      PRAYER SERVICE
6:30       EVENING RALLY (Evangelist Ben Crawford)

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Dear Friends of Christian Holiness,

If you believe that a revival of Scriptural Holiness is our most urgent need, then you will not want to miss the 2012 ST. LOUIS HOLINESS CONVENTION, Thursday, February 16 and Friday, February 17. 

More than economic growth, more than social reform, and more than political change, we need to recover the romance of loving God, the optimism of victorious faith, and the power of Spirit-driven living.
 

It is our conviction that as the message of holiness was supplanted in our nation by the neo-Calvinists of the early 20^th century, the Charismatic movement of the late 20^th century, and the Church Growth Movement of the past few decades, the Church lost her sanctifying influence in the life of her people and in the culture at large.

Today we are witnessing what the Apostle warned we would face: “men having a …form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”  (2 Timothy 3:5). 

Tragically this “form” is not only powerless to transform sinners it is also unappealing to the masses.  Fewer and fewer Americans are attending Church.  Statistics show that at one time over 40% of Americans attended church on any given weekend.  Today fewer than 20% attend. 

We are witnessing the demoralization of our nation.  Our national character is anemic, our moral convictions are few, and our spiritual concern is notable for its absence.  I am convinced that at the root of our social, economic, and political malaise, is our loss of Christian conscience.   

This profound loss can be blamed on the professing Church that prefers playing above praying, feasting more than fasting, and worldliness over holiness. 

YET GOD HAS ALWAYS HAD HIS PEOPLE!  AND IF HIS PEOPLE WILL HUMBLE THEMSELVES, WILL  PRAY, WILL SEEK GOD’S FACE, AND WILL TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS, (I would say this is a call to the kind of Holiness we seek), THEN GOD WILL HEAR, GOD WILL FORGIVE, AND GOD WILL HEAL.

GOD HAS RAISED UP THE JOHN WESLEY FOUNDATION of ST. LOUIS “For such a time as this.”

IS GOD STILL ABLE?

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!"

AN EASTER TO BE REMEMBERED!

GREETINGS IN THE NAME OF OUR RISEN SAVIOR, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!

We trust that your Resurrection Weekend was as filled with blessing as ours. What a thrill it was to welcome 216 souls to our services, to pray with seekers at our altars, to have so many visitors, and to have 59 riding our Sunday School Bus! We are excited about the possibilities for Team FCC in the weeks to come.

It has been our growing conviction that to restore our homes, strengthen our churches, and reform our culture, we must have men who will "take up the cross and follow Jesus!" Our Men's Fellowship will meet this Thursday, April 8 at 7:00 p.m. Join us for an interesting conversation and then Steak n Shake. We thank the men who led this year's LIVING LAST SUPPER PRESENTATION along with Phil Alexander at the Steinway Piano and the FCC Ensemble.


On our first Sunday in St. Louis, the 3rd Sunday of September in 1994 a little 11 year old girl named Christy Matlock was the very first child to board our Sunday School Bus. Yesterday she did the honors of creaming
PR with a pie. There were 69 on the bus, including 9 parents & adults! Vickie Jones and the team of FCC teachers: Tammy Abbott (Nursery), Edie Batye (Primary), Katherine Bissey (Intermediate) led the children with Heather Young at the piano. (FYI: Tressa, our precious daughter, is the girl on the right with the white sweater and floral dress). Jesus loves the little children, and we do too!


This afternoon I visited a man in the hospital who said he was a Buddhist. When I asked him what he liked about Buddhism he said there were two things that attracted him. The First was that his salvation didn't depend on anyone but himself. And the second was that Nirvana, being absorbed into the consciousness of God and losing personal identity was very appealing. As our conversation progressed I asked him what he thought of Jesus. He rambled off the usual "Jesus was a very great teacher" concept, and then I asked him if he thought that Jesus rose again from the dead. After a bit he confessed that he did not believe in the resurrection.

I followed up, "The fact of the resurrection authenticates the life, the teaching, and the example of Jesus." And just as I was about to address that issue with him he was interrupted by a visitor. Alas! I shall return again. And pray with me that this man will soon have an encounter with the Risen Savior.

You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart!

Thank you to all who attended, to all who supported, and to all who helped us have a wonderful Resurrection Weekend. We love and appreciate you all. Looking forward to seeing you this coming weekend!


Pastor Rick JonesFAITH COMMUNITY CHURCH - CRUSADERS CHURCH of ST. LOUIS2969 N. Lindbergh Blvd, St Louis, MO 63074Telephone (314) 607-1424; E-Mail: PastorRick@FCCToday.orghttp://www.pastorrickjones@blogspot.com/