THE POWERLESS CHURCH

Deceived by Intellectual Charade
Scripture soundly warns the church in 2 Peter 2:1–3 to beware of false teachers. The world, as well as the church, falsely assumes these charlatans possess special wisdom and knowledge. Intellectually and emotionally seduced by persuasive speeches, the world and the church fall prey to falsehoods. Without the Spirit of truth and the wisdom of God, all of us can be deceived. Wise choices require critical thinking skills and the light of God’s Word. Christians must not buy into the slick marketed programs offered by hirelings who are disguised in sheep’s clothing within the church (John 10:12; 1 Corinthians 2:1–13).

Likewise, the popularity and appealing appearances of actors and athletes seduce many in our culture. They are extravagantly well paid, yet we know actors are not the same people they portray in the movies, nor do athletes possess extraordinary abilities many imagine. None of these individuals perform supernatural exploits nor defeat entire armies single handedly. Some haughtily or even humorously claim to be atheists.

Yet the One who made himself of no reputation, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is King of kings; presently, Jesus sits at the right hand of the throne of God (Colossians 3:1). In Him “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (John 1:14; Colossians 2:3). Christ is “the power and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24).

Jesus never told people what they wanted to hear; He told them what they needed to hear. Yet we know He had compassion toward all. God’s wisdom comes from above and “is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).

Ephesians 5:6 warns us not to be deceived with vain words. Flattery appeals to our emotions, but the truth spoken in love edifies the church. Flattery, which is deceptive and manipulative, proceeds from an evil heart. Christians must understand what the Lord’s will is for us in this evil day. The Holy Spirit will instruct us with the Word of God.

Guidance for Successful Living

The Bible, God’s reference manual—corrects—instructs—and provides direction for the church. If God’s children fail to read the training manual He provided, it is impossible to expect our lives to improve.

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
—John 4:24

Jesus Christ is the Word of God. The Word “was made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:1, 14). Jesus taught, “The words [rhema] that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Because God’s Word is truth, and we receive revelation of it by hearing the Holy Spirit, then our obedience to what we hear is true worship.

As Christians who profess to know Jesus as Lord, do we remain faithful to His words when life becomes complicated? Jesus emphasized the pathway that leads to life would be difficult (Matthew 7:14; 16:24). Since persecutions and troubles come for the Word’s sake, it is through these challenging times, we must walk by faith, not by sight.

But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
—Romans 8:25–28

Wait for the Father’s Promise
After Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, He commanded His disciples to wait for God the Father’s promise, “for John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 1:4–5).

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
—Acts 2:4

The promise of God the Father—the Holy Spirit—will dramatically change anyone’s prayer life. God is no respecter of persons. If believers desire to have this gift, our heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask (Mark 16:17; Luke 11:13; Acts 10:44–46; 19:6; 1 Corinthians 12:10–11, 27–28). Just as Jesus depended upon and obeyed the Holy Spirit during His life on earth, Christians must have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the present-day church.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are sons [mature] of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
—Romans 8:14–15

Feed My Sheep
America’s churches of all denominations consistently raise finances to send and support their missionaries around the world. Yet, many fail to feed the flock at home, robbing congregations of their spiritual sustenance. Many churches neglect to practice the fundamental principles of Christ’s doctrine (Hebrews 6:1–2). Sadly, many of the redeemed believers do not know who they are in Christ.

As Christians, we are vessels of God’s anointing. Are we on fire for God, or aimlessly walking on a religious treadmill? Is the Word of God alive in our hearts? Are we students of His Word? (2 Timothy 2:15).

Paul said to the people of Corinth, “I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat; for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (1 Corinthians 3:1–3; Hebrews 5:12–14).