Paul says in in Romans 13:11 “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber.” Yes many are sleeping but the fact of the matter is the state of the church may be even worse than just some sleepy heads. Apathy means a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern. If people in the church were concerned they would be looking but no one seems to care. Could it be that people are not looking into the desolation of the church because they are afraid of what they will find. They don’t want to find it because they know it starts with them. It really is simple. The b-i-b-l-e, yes that’s book for me, I stand alone on the word of God, the b-i-b-l-e. Sadly people have become comfortable in their own pew listening to man. My question is what gospel are people listening to that makes them so comfortably numb. They have stopped looking for the truth. The bible now even with so many English translations, has become Greek to them. The apathy has lead to a complacent approach to scripture. Do they check what they have heard on Sundays? Are they Berean or do they even care? Are they eager to hear the word of God? Acts 17:11 “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” As long as there is something entertaining and lots of stories, it must be the gospel but is it thee gospel? How is it that so many have been deceived into believing the powerless gospel that is prevalent in the church today? That is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. The problem is they do not check because they do not want to know. They actually like what they hear, as long as they don’t use the words sin, repent or transform. Jeremiah 5:31 “The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?”
The gospel is all about power. Yes some will say becoming a Christian is the power but most remain unchanged. Keith Drury wrote an article called “They Come for the show but refuse to grow”. He said one pastor of a large church said, “Our people are converted in every way except their mind-set, life-style, and values.' Exactly. Even after we have gotten people 'converted,' many still act and think about the same as they did before they were converted. What got converted? Just because they come for the show, does not mean they are willing to grow... or be faithful to their spouse... or tithe. It's probably the fastest-growing class of Christians in the last decade or so. The 'unconverted converted,' or the 'secular Christian.”
The gospel is all about power. Yes some will say becoming a Christian is the power but most remain unchanged. Keith Drury wrote an article called “They Come for the show but refuse to grow”. He said one pastor of a large church said, “Our people are converted in every way except their mind-set, life-style, and values.' Exactly. Even after we have gotten people 'converted,' many still act and think about the same as they did before they were converted. What got converted? Just because they come for the show, does not mean they are willing to grow... or be faithful to their spouse... or tithe. It's probably the fastest-growing class of Christians in the last decade or so. The 'unconverted converted,' or the 'secular Christian.”
This is not the true church. The truth of the matter is that these people are not Christians, they just happen to go to church. There is only a remnant of the body of Christ left. Yes it is their fault for not checking but more so the fault of the leaders for promoting this hypocrisy. Matthew 15:13 said, “He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” Matthew 23:15 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are. 16 “Woe to you, blind guides! 27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” Proverbs 1-9 warns us of following the wrong path. There are only two paths, one leads to life and the other death. Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” These two quotes from Leonard Ravenhill sum this up. He said, “The Church right now has more fashion than passion, is more pathetic than prophetic, is more superficial than supernatural.” And he said, “The apostles had no gold, but lots of glory. We have lots of gold, but no glory.” The conclusion is this is not the church of Jesus Christ even though his name is used to promote it. Yes the modern church looks like the body of Christ but it is disconnected from the Head.
If you decide to look into the word like a Berean, you will see the church is in trouble. Isaiah 3:12 “My people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path.” The path they are leading you will lead to eternal damnation. Isaiah 2:22 “Stop trusting in man who has but a breath in his nostrils.” Isaiah 2:6 You, Lord, have abandoned your people, the descendants of Jacob. They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and embrace pagan customs. (Check yoga and other eastern forms. One person said, “A Christian who studies the Word of God, should instantly see red flags and discern that Yoga and Christianity are not compatible.” Yet many churches and Christians embrace yoga. There is a lot more that could be said on this subject) 7 Their land is full of silver and gold; there is no end to their treasures. Their land is full of horses; there is no end to their chariots. 8 Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made. 9 So people will be brought low and everyone humbled—.”Isaiah 1:5 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening.” As you read these verses you see the North American church. Much glory is given to God by what their hands have made, but where is the power that follows his gospel.
We must once again walk in the light. Isaiah 2:2 In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3 Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” Those who lead must return to teaching the whole counsel of the word of God not just the parts that will keep their jobs, raise money for buildings and keep people from being offended. That is a different gospel. Malachi 2:8 But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi,” says the Lord Almighty.” What is supposed to happen is this. Malachi 2:6 “True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin. 7 “For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth. So if you are reading this, first start reading your bibles like a Berean, pray and listen to God’s voice and make a change if you are not hearing the gospel preached. I have heard so many times people don’t really feel the church they attend is preaching the Gospel but they have a great kids program. REALLY! You want your kids taught at a young age a watered down gospel. If that message is coming from the pulpit it is also coming from the play mats. We have said many times the gate to truth is narrow. Matthew 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” This is profound but if you are not even looking for it how are you going to find it. You will definitely miss it if all you hear is wide-gate theology. Ask for discernment from the Lord and he will give it to you if you seek him. Stop follow blind guides. In order to once again follow the charge David gave to Solomon we must return to follow the truth Jesus Christ and his words. Don’t be satisfied with man’s concepts about God but follow and obey God’s instructions to man.