Better Than One

I talked to a pastor about his Ministry Toolbox reports.  Two of his strengths were:  Worship and Discipleship.  One of his weak areas was Evangelism.  As we discussed these, he mentioned that one of the problems was changing the heart of the people.  As I was reading in my devotional book “Voices of the Faithful, vol 2″, today’s scripture was Ezekiel 36:26  “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”  God is still in that business.

“Comeback Churches” book mentions that one of the strong comeback function is “Renewed Belief in Jesus Christ and the Mission of the Church”.  I suggest that you consider preaching a series of sermons that relate to Jesus Christ and how he connected to people.  The Gospels are full of Jesus meeting people that illustrate how we can bring people to Jesus.  Neil Cole in his book “Organic Church”, asks the question,  “Are we bringing people to Jesus or are we bringing Jesus to the people?”  Both are right.  Jesus often went to the people but at other times, people came to Jesus.   For people to have a change of heart, they must see Jesus and his love for others. (Visual Bible is a good resource to see a positive Jesus as it literally follows Matthew NIV)  Take time in sermon preparation to think of how your people can use this picture of Jesus and people in their lives.  Help them apply the love of Jesus.

Revelation 2:4 says, “Yet I hold this against you:  You have forsaken your first love.”  Many of our congregations and people have lost their first love.  Read Ronnie Sivells blog before this one “What’s Hampering the Church?”  Could it be that our people have lost their first love?  Mike Glenn in his Tuesday night meetings with young adults at Brentwood BC in Nashville uses a guided prayer to emphasize prayer before worship. (Examples are in Mike Glenn’s book “In Real Time”)  That might be a good idea for your sermon series about Jesus.  Transformation of our people must have a foundation of prayer.

All of us know that the church at best is struggling. Look at your own church! Is it healthy, vibrant and growing or is it anemic and stagnant? Why is the malady of stagnation in the local church more often the problem than not?
I just want to make some general observations.
First, it is probably true that many that have come into the church have never truly been converted. You cannot build a healthy church with members that are not saved. Secondly, among the converted, there seems to be little discipleship going on. Most of our members are shamefully ignorant of the scriptures and our young adults and teenagers seem to be the very worst. Whose fault is this? Could the blame be laid at the feet of those of us who are to be the equippers of the saints?
Perhaps it is time we take a fresh look at what we are doing in our individual churches to help members know how to live a life that pleases Christ. We find that instruction in the Bible and our people need to be led to read it, study it and meditate upon it. Pastors, we need to model our conviction of the importance of the Bible in the pulpit and in our conversations with those we lead. Many of our members will think no more of the Word of God than we do.

James Dobson said if we didn’t have crisis in our life, would we ever pray?  Some time I wonder.  Prayer should be the first step before we take our next step.  When we need to decide, prayer should answer our question.  Like sheep, can we recognize the shepherd’s voice?

Jim Cymbala, is the pastor of The Brooklyn Tabernacle in Brooklyn, NY.  He says, “Here’s the reality we have to come to grips with – power cannot be taught:  it can only be received.  this is the limitation of preaching.  You can point people to Jesus.  You can tell them about the Holy Spirit.  But you cannot take the Holy Spirit and impart power to them.  Only God can do that.  The goal is to get people to God.  He alone imparts power to His people, and power comes in the answer to prayer.”  If you have not read his book “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire”, take time.

“God want us to come to him empty-handed, weary, and heavy laden.  Instinctively, we want to get rid of our helplessness before we come to God.  But prayer is bringing your helplessness to Jesus.  The very thing we are allergic to – our helplessness – is what makes prayer work.  It works because we are helpless.  Weakness is the channel that allows us to access grace,”  says Paul Miller. 

Many churches that I visit are talking about having a revival.  I usually ask,  “Why?”  Do we want to have a revival to reach the lost?  Do we want a revival to revive us?  There is nothing wrong with a revival but how many happen with little preparation, prayer or otherwise, and no specific purpose.  Byron Pulus says, “Revival and the practice of passionate, persistent prayer are inseparable.”  Dr. Richard Fisher tells us to read Psalm 85 to hear from God.

1. Revival is God’s gracious gift (vv. 1-3, 5-6)
2. Revival is evidence of God’s faithfulness and covenant loyalty  (vv. 1-3, 7-8)
3. Revival is based on God’s Word  (vv. 7-8)

We should be praying for our country.  Others should be joining us as we fall on our knees.  The scripture 2 Chronicles 7:14 is brief and simple but gives direction.

“If my people, who are called by my name,

will humble themselves and pray and seek my face

and turn from their wicked ways, them will I hear from heaven

and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Prayer is the foundation to our church, life, relationships, and country.  We cannot be reminded too much!

“revive” magazine is a publication of Life Action Ministries – the summer issue is all about prayer.