One day, while I was sitting in my office contemplating and meditating on the things of God, I began to think of the things that were missing in the modern American church. All of these things will not apply to every church, but I believe if we will be honest, we will be able to find ourselves in these matters. I first began to think, when was the last time I saw a bottle of anointing oil in a church used by the elders to pray for the sick?
This led me to a series of questions. I’ll ask these questions now and perhaps you can find your church and how much they’re missing what God has intended for His people. I have divided this into four categories and I’ve titled it Stolen Treasures from an Unguarded Temple.
The Content of our Ministry
The first category is on the content of our ministry, both preaching and singing. Are we still teaching that the blood of Jesus Christ is efficacious? Do we still believe that the cross of Jesus will kill the sin nature? Do we still believe in divine healing and in the baptism in the Holy Spirit? Do we still believe in the second coming of the Lord? When I was a child they preached the coming of Jesus so strong I left church listening for the trumpet to sound.
What about the resurrected life of the new believer? When was the last time we heard that sin still had consequences, even forgiven sin? When did we cease preaching that Hell was so hot you could feel the heat, and heaven was so sweet you could taste it? Does repentance still mean to admit your sin, and cease from its practice? Do we still believe that without Holiness no man shall see the Lord? When was the time we heard the term cross-bearing mentioned in church or the correct doctrine of suffering?
When was the last time we heard a minister correct bad doctrine even when the bad doctrine is popular and is televised? What about a sermon on the fear of the Lord and that it is still the beginning of wisdom? Has pragmatism replaced principal and therapeutic need replaced truth of the Lord Jesus?
When did the truth become judgmental, and when will we learn that obedience is not legalism? When was the last time we heard a sermon on the works of the flesh, and were told those who walk in the ways of the flesh shall not inherit the kingdom of Heaven? What about the word worldliness, I haven’t heard that term in so long. I wonder if we still believe in victory over sin, satan and self?
When was the last time we heard a minister tell us to examine ourselves and see if we were in the faith or to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling? Do we still believe in the name and the authority of Jesus? When was the last time we heard a minister warn us of the wolf? When was the last time we heard a message about faith that did not involve money?
Ministerial Responsibility
The second category is ministerial responsibility. When was the last time we witnessed a preacher lead the people into worship rather than merely watch them worship? Is our authority spiritual or just titular?
What about a consistent anointing rather than a sporadic anointing. I wonder if we have the Holy Spirit or the holy spurts? What happened to passionate singing and preaching? Worship leaders and pastors, when was the last time the people heard you bubble up in the Holy Ghost? When was the last time we heard a minister weep over the lost and the lack of the presence of God in our services? When was the last time a worship leader or the pastor broke out and danced in the Holy Ghost? When was the last time a pastor openly declared he had a fresh word from off the altar and was open and sensitive to changes of direction orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. If so, why does every service seem to be the same?
What about ministerial respect and authority? When did the pastor lose the right to be called brother or pastor and just become Tommy and Billy? When was the last time we saw a divine interruption in a church service where God came down and said I’ll take it from here? When was the last time you saw a bottle of anointing oil used by the elders to pray for the sick and witnessed instant healing?
What has happened to the fivefold ministry? When did a five-fold ministry become a one-fold ministry, and who authorized the removing of the other four? When was the last time you witnessed the casting out of devils? When is the last time Church discipline was administered?
The Spiritual Condition Of God’s People
The third category is the spiritual condition of the people of God. We are content to be cold or lukewarm at the best. Why are we so biblically infantile or even biblically illiterate? When was the last time we went to a prayer meeting to pray, not to sing or talk? When was the last time we heard someone travail in prayer? When was the last time we heard someone stand up in open repentance or make restitution?
What happened to our passion for the lost and our compassion for our fellow man? What happened to the true fellowship that makes us want to be together more than just one hour on Sunday morning? Do we still practice humility and the preferential treatment of others?
What happened to intense corporate worship and spontaneous praise? Why has church become so elementary and superficial? The lack of reverence, modesty and divine order are the mark of the day. What happened to our high expectations of church? We could hardly wait to get to church we had such anticipation of what might happen next. What happened to our intercessors and prayer warriors? When will we learn that correct discernment is not being critical?
When was the last time you saw a zealous new convert with such zeal that we had to calm him or her down? If there are nine gifts of the spirit, why do we only practice two which are suspect most of the time?
Spiritual Loss
The fourth category is spiritual loss. When was the last time you saw an instant healing or sacrificial giving or true miracle? When was the last time we saw an alcoholic or drug addict set free iimmediately? When was the last time we had a regular foot washing or spontaneous communion service? What happened to the spirit of brokenness and smiting conviction? What happened to effective altar services? When was the last time you were in a service and experienced waves of glory sweeping back and forth across the congregation? When was the last time you heard someone singing in the Holy Spirit, drunk in his presence or slain by the power of God?
Final Questions
Final series of questions that trouble: (1) Who stole them? (2) Who failed to guard these treasures? (3) Why were they deemed worthless when they are priceless? (4) Is cessation theology our excuse? (5) How do we restore our birthright? (6) How long before you would have noticed these missing treasures? (7) Does this list bother you as much as it bothers me? I pray you will take a long hard look at this list and examine yourselves, your church and your denomination and ask why don’t these things still happen? What role did you as a christian play in the loss of these treasures and what are you prepared to do to see them restored? May the Lord bless and keep you.
Robert Pilgrim
