When I look at the world today, especially as we have just this
morning heard of more terrible terrorist attacks in Paris, and the
changes in morals world wide, the spread of drug addiction and it's
horrors and the continual attacks on Christians ad Christianity by the
media at large and many individuals it causes me to reflect once again
how come the Church is not a more positive influence in this world as it
was in the reformation.
I picked up a book the other day by Helmut Thielicke called "The trouble with the Church".
It was published in 1965.
I haven't read it all but can say amen to some of his points.
He probably was feeling like I do today.
I
am disturbed in this day and age by lots of things I see happening in
the Church and things I don't see that should be happening
I firmly believe the Church is the Bride of Christ and still has a huge role to play in the Drama of the Ages.
However
I think we may well be like the Church in the book of Revelation that
it is said of
15 “I know you well—you are neither hot nor cold; I wish you were one or the other! 16 But since you are merely lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth!"
Here is the passage in context.
Are we the Church of Laodicea?
Are we lukewarm?
Revelation 3 Living Bible
13 “Let all who can hear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.
14 “Write this letter to the leader of the church in Laodicea:
“This message is from the one who stands firm,[f] the faithful and true Witness of all that is or was or evermore shall be,* the primeval source of God’s creation:
15 “I know you well—you are neither hot nor cold; I wish you were one or the other! 16 But since you are merely lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth!
17 “You
say, ‘I am rich, with everything I want; I don’t need a thing!’ And you
don’t realize that spiritually you are wretched and miserable and poor
and blind and naked.
18 “My
advice to you is to buy pure gold from me, gold purified by fire—only
then will you truly be rich. And to purchase from me white garments,
clean and pure, so you won’t be naked and ashamed; and to get medicine
from me to heal your eyes and give you back your sight. 19 I
continually discipline and punish everyone I love; so I must punish you
unless you turn from your indifference and become enthusiastic about
the things of God.
20 “Look!
I have been standing at the door, and I am constantly knocking. If
anyone hears me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and
fellowship with him and he with me. 21 I
will let everyone who conquers sit beside me on my throne, just as I
took my place with my Father on his throne when I had conquered. 22 Let those who can hear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.”
One of those who challenged us in Australia and
overseas to look with discernment about spiritual things,in particular
spiritual gifts, was Rev Bryce Hartin.
Quite rightly of course he
will argue as the Bible tells us "we do not fight with flesh and blood,
but the evil unseen rulers of this world."
I have many of Bryce's tapes in my collection including the one you are about to listen to if you follow the link.
So listen if you will with discernment.
http://blessedassurancepromisebox.com/MP3D/G0930gt%20-%20Bryce%20Hartin%20-%20AnAnalysisOfTheCharismaticMovement-1Tim%204.1%201Jn4.1%20Rom16.17-Tape2-8.25Mb-70m35s.mp3
I have put this link here rather than create my own online audio of his tapes.
There
are many other audio links to many other speakers I have never heard
of so I cannot recommend the site per se at this stage.
It is unlikely that you or I will agree with everything on that website.
We do, however, need to be challenged and not just passively sit back and let the unseen rulers do their thing.
