EXPOSITORY PAGE
I have given myself to expound a little more in our series on 'Revival,' arising out from Isaiah 64. We are presently concerned with The Revival of Doctrinal Truth, to rcognize the importance and prominence of the Word of God in all true Revivals. And I have felt it needful to bring the current aticle in this series in two parts - so please read Part 8 and Part 9. The Holy Spirit, through the agency of God’s Word, fulfils all of the divine works within the believer's heart - works such as enlightenment, conviction, regeneration, sanctification, edification, and restoration. In and through the Scriptures we have all that is needed to promote spiritual renewal. When there is obedience to the Word, coupled with earnest prayer, there can be a Revival in any local Church, in any part of the world. We don’t have to be travelling the globe to find out where God is reported to be at work, and clamour some dubious ‘impartation’ to take back to our own local community. For instance, there is no need, as some are currently doing, to travel to and reside in Wales, the scene of many great Revivals in the past, and (so it seems) seeking to recreate a ‘revival’ there.
My dear friends John and Veronica Puckett, who live in Glastonbury, Somerset (UK) have a website which was worth viewing, which is up-and-running again. John posted an excellent article which sends out a timely and needed message relating to this matter. I am glad to post that article on this site. It’s entitled “Someone Else’s Holy Ground: Stepping Stones to Rome?” Be sure to read the entire article, in which John correctly says:
"Visiting Israel to ‘walk where Jesus walked,’ offers no increased likelihood of obtaining a personal encounter with God. That is because, in the spiritual realm, a particular geographical location never provides any such spiritual advantage. Plenty of well-meaning Christians visit the chapel at Blaenannerch in West Wales to sit where Evan Roberts sat when God met with him. Some claim to feel God’s blessing, but the human spirit is very vulnerable to emotional and psychological reactions, especially in religious buildings …
"The burning bush of Moses became no holy shrine for succeeding generations. No one in the Old Testament obtained blessing by visiting the holy place of Abram and Jacob. In fact, Bethel eventually became a site of obscene idolatry. So why do some ministries and websites encourage the idea that the land of Wales is somehow invested with spiritual potential? Why is there such intensity of effort by some to recreate revival by praying and worshipping at sites in Wales where God met with people in the past?"
By the way, as well as having a real burden for true Revival, and ministering on this theme as the Lord grants opportunities, John and his dear wife also give time and effort to spreading the Gospel in their community, so are very active serving the Lord. Pray for them.
We are desperately in need of a genuine REVIVAL! I trust the current article helps you, as I continue to stress the importance of the Word of God in Revival. I could not help but make comment in the article on disturbing trends in today’s Church. In a recent letter Dr. Ray White, my dear friend and editor of materials for the website, having read my article, expressed like concerns. “Interestingly, he said, many churches now more resemble a theatre or a civic auditorium than a sanctuary dedicated to the worship of Almighty God, in appearance as well as with terminology (auditorium, stage) etc.” When I read that I immediately recalled a similar observation and concern expressed many years ago by Dr. A.W. Tozer (1897-1963) in his book, The Root of the Righteous. In a chapter entitled, The Great God Entertainment, he wrote:
"Many churches these days have become little more than poor theatres where fifth-rate ‘producers’ peddle their shoddy wares with the full approval of evangelical leaders who can even quote a holy text in defence of their delinquency. And hardly a man dares raise his voice against it … Is it not a strange thing and a wonder that with the shadow of atomic destruction hanging over the world and with the coming of Christ drawing near, the professed followers of the Lord should be giving themselves up to religious amusements?"
When you realise that Dr. Tozer wrote that over 50 years ago, then we wonder what real progress we have been making, with all our boastings, for things are no different today. Indeed, questionable innovations plague us more than ever! God grant us a holy distaste for anything that takes us on some fruitless worldly bypath, and instil within us a passion for truth and holiness, and everything that honours and glorifies HIM. God grant us a genuine REVIVAL!
LEADERS PAGE
There is no question about the seriousness of my paper addressing the question of the morality of ministers of Jesus Christ. The subject, Confronting the Plague of Sexual Sin in the Church, is taken a little further with Part 6. [ALL the previous articles in this series can be accessed - go to the Leader's Page on the Menu above and click on the links for pages 1-5 which are active.]
I did not anticipate when I commenced writing on this disturbing issue in the Church, and particularly such sin among ministers, that it would continue over so many postings. But a voice has to be raised for Biblical standards of holiness with all who profess to have been “called out from darkness into His marvellous light,” and especially the servants of God. Paul clearly teaches that no form of impurity should ever be even once named among us! “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints…” (Ephesians 5:3.) Albert Barnes (1798-1870) so correctly conveys the sense of Paul’s appeal here: “That is, let it not exist. Let there be no occasion for mentioning such a thing among you; let it be wholly unknown.” (Notes on the New Testament, Vol. VII, Blackie & Son Publishers, London, 1855; p.96.) It is not becoming for a believer to be sensual or covetous.
You will observe, as you read this current exposition follow-on, that I have a link to an article by Dr. Richard Krejcir, which he has kindly granted me permission to reproduce. It makes for disconcerting reading, as he shares the results of researching pastoral trends over the past few years. There are startling statistics we cannot ignore, in his article, "What is Going on with Pastors in America?" In my correspondence with Dr. Krejcir he agrees with me that the problems are not simply with American pastors, but across the Evangelical and Pentecostal world. Some statistical figures help us to emphasise the seriousness of this growing crisis. You will note that I have highlighted by bold font a number of key statements and statistics.
Do check out the second part of Steve Camp’s reflections on “What Brings Pleasure to Satan?” (Part 2) … when the applause of hell becomes the blind delight of evangelicalism! Steve says, If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention!! This brief second part is helpful reading, alerting us to be ‘doing all to the glory of God.’ If you did not read the first part, then do so; it’s worthwhile a few minutes of your time.
And while on this subject of ‘churches,’ make sure your computer speakers are on, you must listen to Bernard Hull’s song - click on 'Come to our Church.com,' and then on the link that appears. I have also posted the lyrics of this song, for you might want to sing it in church sometime soon!! Is that a dare?
We are still dealing with our Lord's own correspondence to "The Seven Churches which are in Asia" (Revelation 2-3), and looking at the challenging message in His letter to the decadent church in Sardis – The Church that Died and Didn’t Know it! (Revelation 3:1-6.) This is Part 6. How sad that a church should think and believe that it is ‘alive,’ that it is a kind of ‘model’ to others, when it is not. The Lord’s pronouncement brings the pastor and people back to reality; there was NO spiritual life in that place; nothing divine – it was all human! The church in Sardis will most surely have started out well, but it deteriorated in terms of true spiritual life, being taken up with the mechanics of religion, belying its earlier promise. This is always a danger. The Church had died, even though it was still very active and engaged in much that appeared to be the envy of other churches. Beneath the pious exterior of that most respectable congregation was secret uncleanness. It says that there were only a ‘few’ that had not soiled their garments! C.H. Spurgeon made this comment:
"An unholy church! It is useless to the world, and of no esteem among men. It is an abomination; hell’s laughter, heaven’s abhorrence. The worst evils which have ever come upon the world have been brought upon her by an unholy church."
That is quite an indictment; and it is one we cannot ignore. It’s time for the Church to earnestly seek the Lord. Is there a remedy? Of course there is, and it is revealed right there in the letter to Sardis. This is what we continue to explore in this current article.
And here is an additional posting sent to me from a friend – quite challenging, and highlights where so many are at in their churches these days with their huge emphasis on MONEY. Why is it we have to have a 15-minutes (at least) talk on finance before the offering is received on Sunday, and generally using Scripture to persuade people to GIVE – and much of it is poor if not false interpretation of what the chosen Scripture text or passage actually teaches! Look up this very brief posting – "When the Dollar rules the Pulpit!"
QUOTABLE QUOTES
We added this NEW PAGE in the previous update. I had been given access to many ‘quotable quotes’ that have reference to Prayer, Revival, Missions, Preaching et al. In fact there are some 35 pages of them, so I decided to include a couple of pages in each update. They are stirring to read – and you preachers may find use for them to stir others! I trust you enjoy these.
You may note that I have listed many CDs (and a few DVDs) available free to those who request them. Click here. And also there is my book which is available for purchase - "The Biblical Testing of Teachings and Manifestations." If you wish to read an unsolicited review of the book, click here.
Thanks for visiting this website. Your letters will be appreciated. I hope to add a new page for readers’ comments soon.
God bless you as read,