SPIRITUAL AR-15's

Isaiah 54 is a very reassuring chapter for Israel.  God admits that He has been angry with the Israelites, but He also promises them that He is for them.  God is aware that they are suffering under constant persecution from the Assyrians.  He announces that this will soon end. 

God makes a promise to them, reminding them of the promise He made with Noah!  Essentially God says that He will protect her when bad things happen and will never walk away from her again!  God invokes images of heaven as He envisions her future!

In the midst of all this, God makes an interesting statement: 

No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper… [NASB]

I found myself searching for II Corinthians 10:4,

…for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses…  [NASB]

To be fair, you always need to check out the context of these verses!

I had never connected these verses before. 

God seems – in both contexts – to be reassuring His people [the Israelites AND the NT Christians] that He has provided us with powerful weapons that will enable us to be victorious! 

The Holy Spirit is clear as He speaks through Paul (to the Corinthian Church) that these weapons are not of the flesh.  We’re not talking about automatic rifles here!  But we are talking about divinely powerful weapons that are capable of destroying the fortresses of our enemy! 

Now, I’m thinking that if we’re destroying fortresses, then we’re not on the defense, but rather, we are on the offense!  We’re the aggressors!  We’re assaulting the strongholds of our opponent! 

In Matthew 16, Jesus affirms Peter for having the spiritual insight to see that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God!  Then, Jesus makes a curious statement:  I will build My church;  and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it  [16:18 NASB]. 

Many have observed that “gates” don’t attack;  they defend!  The implication of our Lord is that we will be the attackers!  We will assault the gates of Hell – or the enemy of our souls! 

PUT IT ALL TOGETHER

We – as the Church – are to use the powerful, spiritual weapons that God has created for us to assault our enemy and his strongholds with courage and confidence in victory as promised by our Lord! 

Friends, this is happening in many parts of our world!  True believers are banding together and meeting in spite of resistance.  Attending church for many of these dear saints [biblically, saints = believers] is RISKY!  They could lose their lives for doing so!  Some DO lose their lives for doing so!  L

Check out Voice of the Martyrs for more details:  The Voice of the Martyrs (persecution.com)

SO – WHAT ARE THESE POWERFUL WEAPONS?

So much could be said here, but let’s keep it brief for now:  [You know these anyway!]

1.       Prayer! 

This can be done alone or with other believers.  When it is done with other believers, it is far more powerful  [Matthew 18:20]!  It can be done anytime, anywhere and under any circumstances!  When Jesus faced His deepest trial, He spent a whole night in prayer and asked His disciples to join Him!  What does that tell us?    

2.       God’s Word!

Psalm 119:11 talks about hiding God’s Word in our hearts!  How well off would you be if suddenly someone confiscated all of our Bibles?  How much of it do you have hidden in your heart.  This hints at treasuring the Bible and it’s content!  Do you treasure it?  Do you know where your Bible is right now?

Do you read it?  Do you love it?  Do you apply it?  

Do you recall when Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted?  After forty days of fasting, His enemy came with three specific temptations.  Do you remember how Jesus overcame these temptations?  Sure, you do!  He quoted scriptures [Matthew 4:1-11]!!!!!

3.       Community!

Not enough can be said about this!  Take note:  Community does NOT equal church!  Most churches fail to provide genuine community!  The New Testament word is koinonia, for which there is no English equivalent.  The best we can do is ‘fellowship’, which connotes many wrong concepts (such as pot-luck dinners or game nights). 

Koinonia is communion by intimate participation!  It is a genuine connecting and sharing that is rarely found in our culture.  The strength that can be gained through koinonia is phenomenal!  It’s characteristic is:  when one suffers – all suffer;  when one rejoices – all rejoice  [I Corinthians 12:26]! 

Our world is desperately in need of KOINONIA!!!!!!!

_____________________________

There are others, of course, but maybe we shouldn’t move on until we’ve mastered these basic ones?  Most of us have a ways to go to do that….

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

I have truly felt deeply for pastors through the COVID experience of the last fourteen months.  I recently read an article titled, "25 Church Statistics You Need to Know for 2021" [https://reachrightstudios.com/25-church-statistics-for-2021/].  It observed,

"Non-practicing Christians have grown from 35% to 43% from 2000 to 2020. During the same time, practicing Christians declined from 45% to 25%."

This news does not bode well for church finances;  it means there are considerably fewer people to pay the bills!  Other sources indicate that 20% of all churches have closed since the beginning of the pandemic!  

Think about it.  All pastors had to find a way a year ago to get some kind of service online.  My Facebook page is crowded every Sunday morning with 'Watch' parties centered around worship services.  Those who were broadcasting before COVID had a clear advantage.  The quality of many of these services is still quite low, yet give them credit for navigating these waters.  

Many of us have become acquainted - possibly even comfortable - with sitting in front of a computer screen for Sunday worship.  For the first time, we can go to church in our pajamas!  We can have coffee and a sweet roll while the service is in process!  How cool is that?

Since these services are still being broadcast as COVID concerns diminish, we can assume that some people are still staying home to worship.  When will churches determine that live-streaming is no longer necessary?  I'm acquainted with several churches that were livestreaming before COVID.  The fact is that some churches have prospered and grown through livestreaming.  

I was reading my college alma mater's magazine yesterday.  In an article by Romy Hosford (Associate Professor of Art) titled, "Media Is More Than The Technology That Creates It", her closing comment caught my attention:

"There is something about how our human souls inspire one another when we are in physical communion with one another that does not come through over screens."

Thoughts flooded my mind after reading that statement.  I quickly deduced that she was right.  

I can walk away from the computer screen taught, inspired and feeling that I've met a spiritual obligation;  however,  have I been affirmed, greeted, encouraged, cared for and touched?  You can answer for yourself.

For instance, I am a Facebooker.  According to my home page I have 851 'Friends'.  But in reality, I have very few friends in the traditional sense of the term.  These 'friends' laugh at my jokes, comment on my posts, and affirm my worth as a writer, but do they really care for me?  Do they leap to my aid in times of stress or trouble?  No.  Because I don't air my times of stress and trouble on Facebook.  

In real life, I have an ever-shrinking group of friends.  Debbie has always been my best friend.  My son, Troy, enters my life meaningfully at least once a week.  Then there's our dog, Gabe - man's best friend!  We have great neighbors who are friendly, but I don't really do things with them.  Truth be told, I'm a pretty lonely guy.  

I have come to know a few people where we attend church;  but I wouldn't call any of them friends.  

We have extended family nearby and even in our church, but I really don't share my burdens with any of them.  

I visited a large, growing church recently.  Theater seating and excellence from beginning to end.  When the worship ended I watched as the crowd departed the auditorium.    They walked straight out the back door having little or no contact with one another.  They got in their cars and drove away.  It struck me!  The churches I led had people lingering for over an hour after worship ended (I used to tell them to lock the door when they left 😁).  

I'm not against livestreaming.  It's been a blessing to me and many especially during the COVID crisis.  But I think Professor Hosford is right.  "There is something about how our human souls inspire one another when we are in physical communion with one another that does not come through over screens."  

I've been told by people I've counseled that they attend church because its the only place where they receive physical touch from others (hugs, handshakes, shoulder pats, etc.).  Wow!  Wow!  

For the record:  I'm finishing up this article and heading for church!  It's been my lifetime habit.  I love to worship God.  I enjoy being with people who share my love for God!  I'll linger a bit.  Maybe I can encourage someone.  Maybe I'll even be encouraged...

 

OH NO!!! DON'T CLOSE THAT CHURCH!!!!

Can you imagine a church that was so connected to its community that the community would lament its closing?

Of course, a church that was truly connected to its community would never be closing - I know that!  But just use your imagination.

Imagine a church that was so vital to the community that the community couldn't picture going forward without its influence and participation! 

Imagine a community that came to the church's rescue - just to keep it open and thriving. 

Imagine a church that had made such a difference in its community - such an investment in the community - that the community cried out with one voice:  "Oh no!  You can't close that church!"

REALITY
Of course, this is not the case for the vast majority of churches!  Most communities would never even notice if its churches closed. 

There are exceptions - and I'm grateful for that!  In my most recent community, the Catholic Church was at the center of almost everything the community did.  I believe there would be a community outcry if it was to suddenly be closed by its diocese.

But most churches are self-focused and self-serving.  They make few inroads of service to the community.  They do their own thing and exist for their own members instead of serving the people of the community.  SAD!

SOLUTION
Who can change this?

Is this the pastor's job?  Well. to some extent - Yes, it is! 

Can he do it alone?  Of course not!

The church can only change its focus if the people change their focus!  The church is not an entity - it's PEOPLE!!!  People who serve God's purposes in the world! 

A church that is vital to its community is made up of people who show a genuine interest in their community and serve joyfully in the name of Christ!  This is the kind of church that gives Christ a good name!

HAUNTING QUESTION

In reading Darrin Patrick's book, Church Planter, I came across the question:  "Would your city weep if your church did not exist?"

Yikes!  I immediately knew the answer was "No!"  In reality, if FMCC closed its doors, I think there would be a few days of shock and gossip - and then, nothing!

Am I happy about this?  Absolutely not! 

I would hope that in our future we will become a vital resource to our community!  We've made some small beginnings, but it's mostly leaders making the investment.  The congregation still thinks of the church as a clubhouse! 

But leaders lead!  Hopefully, we will see an increased willingness to take ministry to the people instead of hoping they'll come to us! 

In a couple of months we'll be focused on Jesus leaving Heaven to come to earth!  When are we going to get it?  He wants us to follow His example.  We must leave the comfort and joy of the church to go into the world! 

Incarnational ministry!  It's always been what it's all about!

Lord of the Church,
Help us to become indispensable to our community!  Teach us to give ourselves sacrificially - in Your name!
Amen.