Stolen Treasures from an Unguarded Temple Part VI: Spiritual Loss
We will now begin to deal with the matter of spiritual loss. At a time in our culture when the hunger for supernatural things is so clear, for example, zombies, vampires, the living dead.
The church however, has relegated the supernatural to a back room in an effort not to offend the seeker friendly crowd, what utter nonsense. One of the most frequently asked questions, among new people of all ages, especially young people, is when are we going to see something we can’t explain? When are we going to see manifestations of the Holy Spirit? Our low expectations are rooted in our shallow faith and our mundane weekly routine of the same old, same old. Nothing mind-blowing or supernatural ever seems to happen, Luke 5:17 tells us that the power of God was present to heal, they were able to recognize this shouldn’t we be able in the hour in which we live? Most churches do not pray for the sick and if they do, they are more surprised when someone is healed rather than when they are not. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without faith it is impossible to please him. Do we still believe that with God all things are possible? I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of watching people come to church sick and go home sick. Many churches and organizations are hurting financially, because they have removed the supernatural and replaced it with gimmicks. Make no mistake about it blessed people will give freely. Most people have never truly seen a miracle something that is beyond the scope of human ability such as marriages on the brink of divorce being completely restored by one trip to the altar. True instant transformation of sinners has not been seen by most churches in so long I cannot help but wonder do they still believe it is possible? When I was converted over 30 years ago I was the biggest mess you could find no twelve-step program or rehab would have worked for me. Only complete surrender to Jesus and being washed in his blood cleaned me up and set me free instantly.
On the matter of foot washing, John 13:1-17 speaks of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, most churches however have not or will not participate in such an act of servant hood, because it would frighten some of their people and outrage others. Today pride, little humility and an absence of a servant’s heart would prevent this from becoming a reality. Our programs are far too regimented to permit a divine interruption it would impede our PowerPoint presentation.
When it comes to the matters of the heart, such as conviction, brokenness or weeping our way to a new experience in grace these things are almost unheard of. There is nothing seeker friendly about a group of people with their hands raised and tears rolling down their cheeks it’s just not socially accepted, but it still gets the job done. There is no feeling in the world like being clean and right with God. It may not be socially or politically correct to weep out loud, but conviction lets me know that Jesus loves me and is perfecting me.
Manifestations of the Spirit take place in an atmosphere where he is Lord, and there is liberty. We must learn to not only welcome Him, but to ask him to make us sensitive and yielded to his leading. How can you possibly have an effective altar service when most churches are ashamed of giving an altar call? I don’t know if they’re really that worried about embarrassing someone or just afraid no one will respond. I have always had tremendous altar services, but make no mistake about it, it is hard work, and if nothing happens, you just look silly. This is truly where the rubber meets the road, whether you’re anointed or not. I have been blessed to see the glory of God , sweep over congregations and save as many as four hundred people at one time to fill as many as one hundred with the Holy Ghost. In order to experience this type of move of God, we must come to the realization that the Holy Ghost does not want to take part in our service, He wants to take over. Multiple manifestations of the Holy Spirit will only take place in an environment where he feels love, desire and our desperate need is recognized and expressed. He is a gentleman and will not force himself on any church, organization or person, but he will quietly depart and leave you to yourself. Let us pray that we have not crossed this line and ichabod is not being written above the door.
Robert Pilgrim
