Where Is The Church of Jesus Christ Headed?
"Tell me what the world is saying today, and I'll tell you what the church will be saying seven years from now" - Francis Schaefer.
Unfortunately this quote from one of the greatest thinkers of our time speaks volumes to the pattern the church world has followed for some time. Instead of the body of Christ setting the standard for Christian lifestyle, we have been following the trends of the world. In fact, more worldly trends have affected the church than the church has affected the trends. Our music, our worship, our very lifestyle have become world-centered and not Christ-centered. Worship in most contemporary churches desires to break from past traditions to embrace present fads and curve new future styles.
This is one of the most challenging times in modern church history. From the rich heritage of apostolic leadership to the modern ecclesiastical turmoil of our day, the church is still struggling to identify true headship of the body of Christ, while the world decays away. The crowning hour of the church has always been in the greatest storms of life. Could it be the Lord is preparing us to shine as never before? While we are faced with decay in government, society, and world affairs, the mandate is apparent; the church of Jesus Christ needs to rise up.
The church is both mystical (invisible) and institutional (visible). We are the body of Christ; the supernatural, miracle working, kingdom of gifted ones. We are also an organized, developed, governmental church with a rich ecclesiastical heritage and a mandate for global conquest. Jesus stated we were to become the "salt of the earth" (see Matt 5:13) and "The light of the world" (see Matt 5:14). This means that Jesus expected the church to be the leaders, the trend setters. Jesus also stated, "When he returns will He find faith on the earth" (Luke 18:8). I wonder does this mean faith in God or faith in one another. We are also the anointed ones who spread love by example and not by dictation.
There is no question that Satan is on his job, but the real question is whether or not we are fulfilling our assignment of kingdom building or kingdom clashing. When you evaluate historical church history, you are faced with the surprising image that the church really soars in crisis (Acts 8:1; vs. 4). The modern global financial and economic crisis is nothing compared to what the church endured to be birthed. First century Palestine was considered one of the poorest, depressed, germ filled areas of the world at the time. Yet, Christianity's humble roots can be traced here. Disease, poverty, despair, and danger are just ingredients for miracles to flourish.
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Unfortunately this quote from one of the greatest thinkers of our time speaks volumes to the pattern the church world has followed for some time. Instead of the body of Christ setting the standard for Christian lifestyle, we have been following the trends of the world. In fact, more worldly trends have affected the church than the church has affected the trends. Our music, our worship, our very lifestyle have become world-centered and not Christ-centered. Worship in most contemporary churches desires to break from past traditions to embrace present fads and curve new future styles.
This is one of the most challenging times in modern church history. From the rich heritage of apostolic leadership to the modern ecclesiastical turmoil of our day, the church is still struggling to identify true headship of the body of Christ, while the world decays away. The crowning hour of the church has always been in the greatest storms of life. Could it be the Lord is preparing us to shine as never before? While we are faced with decay in government, society, and world affairs, the mandate is apparent; the church of Jesus Christ needs to rise up.
The church is both mystical (invisible) and institutional (visible). We are the body of Christ; the supernatural, miracle working, kingdom of gifted ones. We are also an organized, developed, governmental church with a rich ecclesiastical heritage and a mandate for global conquest. Jesus stated we were to become the "salt of the earth" (see Matt 5:13) and "The light of the world" (see Matt 5:14). This means that Jesus expected the church to be the leaders, the trend setters. Jesus also stated, "When he returns will He find faith on the earth" (Luke 18:8). I wonder does this mean faith in God or faith in one another. We are also the anointed ones who spread love by example and not by dictation.
There is no question that Satan is on his job, but the real question is whether or not we are fulfilling our assignment of kingdom building or kingdom clashing. When you evaluate historical church history, you are faced with the surprising image that the church really soars in crisis (Acts 8:1; vs. 4). The modern global financial and economic crisis is nothing compared to what the church endured to be birthed. First century Palestine was considered one of the poorest, depressed, germ filled areas of the world at the time. Yet, Christianity's humble roots can be traced here. Disease, poverty, despair, and danger are just ingredients for miracles to flourish.
Click Here For More
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