This familiar idea from Apache Indians is such a basic idea we all need to think about. It has always made me think of churches how about you?
It makes me want to encourage you to ditch a sicko-church and find a real decent, healthy one to go help and serve in.. on the Lord's terms. It makes me think about what Jack Graham told me, "Seventy to eighty percent of the churches in America are dead or dying."
I pray that what’s dead in em comes alive and thrives. I think it's only right for God loves churches, church people, and there are already too many trouble-maker, rebels in churches just hurting decent pastors and saints.
Personally, I really want all churches in America and elsewhere ..with any dead folk, lukewarm or carnal Christians in em to come alive and then really thrive as they apply the Scriptures. Please don’t get me wrong. When I talk about a sick church, I mean ones that no matter how long you and other believers humbly try to appeal to or work with em, they still refuse to take heed to God's Word.
"And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, 'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: ‘I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you” (Rev. 3.1-3 nkjv).
Hey gang, of course all of us are flawed like churches are, but perhaps these churches are led by dead, spiritually blind people (I’ll let God decide that cuz only He can see the unseen heart of individuals). But they simply refuse to cling to the Word (the Bible Jesus who is alive) and Essential ChristianDoctrines. I say we pray hard, show genuine respect for the leaders, appeal to the leadership, and if they don’t budge.. then ditch the sicko-churches and find a decent healthy one to serve in on the Lord's terms.
How to tell is a local church is dying:
1.) When the people there primarily think and talk about the past. Reminds me of that statement: The older I get, the more awesome I was.” Their theme song is “The way we were.” Living things change, they grow. They don’t constantly focus on the so called glory days of the past. Brag on the Lord a lot, yes, talk about Jesus and His Gospel.
2.) When the people there are more concerned about their “programs” than what really works to win and edify people.. when what they’ve always done take priority over the biblical worship of Jesus, winning souls to Him, and edifying believers that want to apply what they’ve learned through all 66 books—all the counsels of God.
3.) When you look around and everyone there at the church is old in years and in attitude. Getting older doesn’t mean you have to get “old.” Never every become hardened in your heart or attitude no matter what you go through. Let God repeatedly soften your heart, heal your heart, restore your heart by His grace. Chose to be alive what you were always meant to be alive to, and nothing more.
4.) When the leadership of the church along with its people knowingly or unknowingly love their dead traditions and chilly ceremonies more than Jesus Christ, more than they love Christians, and more than they love the unsaved people around them (in that order). When the church no longer is about the lifting up (biblically exalting) of the Bible Jesus. When sound private and public Bible teaching is neglected and knowing Him intimately in prayer isn’t for today so much.. this day with all of its distractions. Yeah, when it’s no longer about Christ, hey, it’s over. When it’s no longer about teaching and ministering God’s word to people as Christ Himself did. It’s done; it’s become a bad witness in the community. Toast! Listen, there’s nothing more important for a church than His presence—having Jesus in the house. It’s so radically important, just lifting up the Name of Jesus in biblical worship. Magnifying Jesus, not Jesus and so and so or that band. No, just Jesus giving Him all the glory—for He is the one we all need. Besides, you know that when living creatures, yes, any type of living earthly creature is minus its head, it’s fully dead. Done. Whacked! Jesus is the head of the Church, He has a great love and a good plan for His creation, His bride, and He alone is the life of every local church. That’s why we need to remember Jesus …re-member Him to His body if ya will. The Bible tells us what it’ll be like.. “And again He (Jesus) entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them” (Mk. 2:1-2). facebook.com/shareJesus
