Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Pleasing and Acceptable: Allowing the Word of God to Define the Definitions - Part 5


Gathering of the Body (2 of 3)

* Remember to read the previous parts of this series first

The reality is, the Christian majority are a people that do not grasp that they can truly know the LORD personally. God's acceptable plan is for His Body to act like a Body with Christ as the Head of it all. How would they even know how to when they sit idly by each week and get "fed"? The whole religious system is set up to do so. They have been lied to and subdued to think that they are meant to just submit to religious authority all their lives and never question anything. You are either "laity" or you are "clergy" and there is some mysteriously vast chasm in between the two, right? Many leaders will say, that they're just like you, but if that is the case, then why is the ladder so intact? Ask to preach a series for a month and watch things begin to unravel quite quickly. Tell the teacher that you feel like it's your turn to take on the leadership role and you will likely see who holds control. How do I know this? Again, I lived it! I sat in countless staff meetings where all we did was discuss agendas and nonsense. In one church, I must say that we did have meaningful times together seeking the LORD, but it still always had to be cut short in order to address "church business".

If I've said it once, I've said a million times, read what the Word defines the order of the Body to be! If it is about buildings, positions and predictable programs, it is not about God's agenda – period. I know I'll catch flack for that but I won't waver. I've seen both sides my friend.

I am not interested in men's status or position. God is in the business of ordination, not man. If it is true that the last shall be first, then the leadership of churches had better start studying their Bibles and understand that Jesus meant what He said. There is no laity in the Kingdom – period.

As horrible as this sounds, I am thoroughly convinced that the institutional church would be more up in arms if their pastor were removed than if God were. You can tell me that I'm going overboard with this remark, but I say, without hesitation, that I believe God has already vacated most of them and no one has even noticed. But if the pastor doesn't show, what on earth are we to do? How can I say such strong words? May I remind you that this piece is about God designating where He dwells. Man does not dictate God's presence or approval.

Malachi chapter 1, verses 6 through 10 state, "You say, 'How have we despised Your name?' 'You are presenting defiled food upon My altar But you say, 'How have we defiled You?' In that you say, 'The table of the LORD is to be despised.' 'But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?' says the LORD of hosts. 'But now will you not entreat God's favor, that He may be gracious to us? With such an offering on your part, will He receive any of you kindly?' says the LORD of hosts. 'Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar! I am not pleased with you,' says the LORD of hosts, 'nor will I accept an offering from you'".

In summary, the people were offering displeasing sacrifices. Their ways of approaching the LORD were deemed unworthy to be accepted by Him and He rejected. It is absurd for us to go about approaching God on our terms now as well.

Further down in verse 13 we read what could be said today about how begrudgingly so many "serve" God, "You also say, 'My, how tiresome it is!' And you disdainfully sniff at it,' says the LORD of hosts, 'and you bring what was taken by robbery and what is lame or sick; so you bring the offering! Should I receive that from your hand?' says the LORD."

God has not changed. In Christ, we can now approach the throne of God, but we must do so on His terms. Just because we are free in Christ does not mean we are free to do whatever we desire in order to please Him.

Because I feel that what has already been said in the Word sums it all up, here is what is in Isaiah 1:11-14: "'What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?' says the LORD. 'I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle; and I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats. When you come to appear before Me, who requires of you this trampling of My courts? Bring your worthless offerings no longer, incense is an abomination to Me. New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies - I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly. I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts, they have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them."

What did the LORD say to the rebellious house of Israel in Amos 5? "I hate, I reject your festivals, nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them; and I will not even look at the peace offerings of your fatlings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."

Now I know that people will tell me that these verses are not applicable to the Body of Christ today, but, to me, there is no question whatsoever that God feels the same way about what Christianity has become in this hour. Sacrifices and rituals no longer please the LORD, He has told His people that over and over again, yet institutionalized Christianity continues on nonetheless. It greatly saddens me that so few ever seem to even ask why we do what we do in the name of God. It is not about God at all, it is about traditions and handed down teachings that contradict the Word of God. Most importantly, it is considered vain in the eyes of the One that it is supposed to be for.

I encourage you to read what the Bible defines as "church" or ekklesia. It has so little in common with what we have been taught is church, it will seem wrong but it is in fact, the original plan. I have sat in gatherings where rituals, doctrines and positional ladders are not in place. I have seen God move in ways like never before in structured "services". When one is willing to truly allow the Holy Spirit to be the Guide and order giver, the LORD has room to move. He is the One who dictates the acceptable order. Freedom. Not to do whatever, whenever, but freedom to no longer be bound by the boundaries that men set in place.

Next we'll look at what several more Scriptures have to say about gatherings mentioned in the Bible. Did they ever really meet in houses? Are we really the temple of God? Can everyone really be an active participant when the Body gathers?



10 comments:

Harriet said...

I think I just had an ah-HAH moment Joel...lol.
Want to know WHY people don't want to meet together and share what God is teaching them? Because they havent talked to God or listened to Him once this week..
laziness is the reason.but you knew that. ;)
How can anyone share what they DON'T have?

Personally..I think if we just MADE ourselves go to/start up "home church" instead of the meetings that call themselves church, we'd pretty soon start asking God for something to share.. ;)

Keep being bold!

Harriet said...

oh and by the way.. GREAT pics with this blog and the one previous!! had ME LOL

Lauren Howard said...

MY BUDDY JOEL,

I completly agree w/ you about this. I think we kind of touched basis about this in a email. But I agree. I was talking to my college pastor last week after service, crying my eyes out and kind of yelling (i can get intesne) about this same subject and what is going on with me, how a person is saved and how we have it so wrong. I still dont have all the answers and am on this journey to figure out what it means to be a 'christian'. I so desire to understand whats happening with me and for me to know Him. He maybe understood what i was saying but said I was carrying a burden that I shouldnt be carrying and that majority dont have it wrong. He asked me why and how and where things went "wrong". I didnt know all the answers but I said when i look at the bible and I come to church I dont see the same 'church' as i do in the bible. He proposed a question and said if i just had a bible on a desert island and I formed my idea of church, would it look like the church we see today. Of course we said no. I wonder where God is in this system and our worship we have made and if others are just as empty in it all as i am. How will one know to "be hot" for Jesus if they have never seen Jesus? How will one give there life over to God and live a life that is seperate if they have never met a seperate Holy God?
Oh, that HE WOULD COME AND SHOW US!
----
Is this a "burden" i should not be carrying? I'm not sure if its even a burden, i mean, we are talking about THE ETERNAL GOD!
I still dont know what to do and would love tonight, at college group to be something differnt then getting together to tetitvly have a 38 min worship time and then EATING.
I desire to WANT to
feast on him.


pray pray pray! !

Lauren Howard said...

sorry for the spelling errors,
forgot to do spell check.
(you are a writer, not sure if
thats a pet peve)

(:

JOY.

Lauren Howard said...

oh shoot,

i spelled PEEVE wrong*

ha!

Joel Spencer said...

Harriet: I know, I've been there! Who wants to gather with other people who challenge you to speak up about how great God is and what He is speaking when you have no clue? It is so much easier to just passively sit by and listen to someone else talk for 30 minutes.

In a small, informal group I am vitaly necessary. I have responsibility to keep moving ahead because of it. As it stands in most large, religious gatherings, you have little, if any role. You can slide in and out week after week after week and never even be a part of anything. It is too easy to lay low and go nowhere, spiritually.

If people only knew what they were missing, they'd never go back.

Lauren: Great to see you here again! You have brought up some fantastic points. He has shown us what to do though, in His Word. It is all there for us to find and implement.

All I can tell you is continue to move forward with what you find. I personally believe a complete "church" disconeect is really the only way to shake off all the religion and embark on that narrow way, but I know this is not easy for some. Constant frustration and hurt only awaits those who see what the LORD calls His Church and how it differs from what man calls it.

Place yourself on that island, spiritually. Continue to only ask the LORD to define what is what. There is a great calling out right now and it excites me that you are hearing that call!

By the way... misspelllings aer OK heer mi freind. ;)

Valerie said...

Lauren said "I still don't have all the answers and am on this journey to figure out what it means to be a 'christian'. I so desire to understand what's happening with me and for me to know Him. He maybe understood what i was saying but said I was carrying a burden that I shouldnt be carrying and that majority dont have it wrong. He asked me why and how and where things went "wrong". I didnt know all the answers but I said when i look at the bible and I come to church I dont see the same 'church' as i do in the bible."

Lauren, can I encourage you to keep seeking answers, but seek them from Father Himself. For me personally it came down to either believing what the Bible was telling me, or what the church was saying - they were poles apart. I chose Father, left the church, and it was only after I left the church that He showed me so much more. Sometimes we just have to take that leap of faith.

Joel Spencer said...

Valerie: Wise words my friend. Even if what the LORD is speaking to us doesn't seem to make sense, we must step out and follow our Shepherd. I believe, without question, that He takes us by the hand and guides us as soon as we're willing to venture out into the deeper waters.

Valerie said...

Joel said "As horrible as this sounds, I am thoroughly convinced that the institutional church would be more up in arms if their pastor were removed than if God were. You can tell me that I'm going overboard with this remark, but I say, without hesitation, that I believe God has already vacated most of them and no one has even noticed."

This is so sad Joel, but also so true.

"Even if what the LORD is speaking to us doesn't seem to make sense, we must step out and follow our Shepherd. I believe, without question, that He takes us by the hand and guides us as soon as we're willing to venture out into the deeper waters."

We must indeed step out, even though it seems scary at first. As it says in Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." If we could see the way ahead it wouldn't be faith, would it?

rave.n said...

I attended a young adult meeting this weekend that challenged us to evaluated at what cost do we seek community. The leader referred to 1 Cor 5 and it was a hard word.

I don't want to speak truth into the lives of others with the risk of being taken as a judge AND I am not eager to hear truth from the same people.

The whole scenario makes me want to give up. Is it possible to be in community that is transparent & accountable?

That's just where I am at RIGHT NOW.