Upon returning back to my hometown in Maryland, I have now faced a whirlwind of life-altering decisions, one of which has been trying to find a home church. I have spent various sunday mornings stepping foot into sanctuary after sanctuary, some well-lit and beautifully adorned with gold trim and colorful mosaic windows. Others are less ornate, humble, and difficult to spot as they are tucked away in inconspicuous locations, such as an office park. Naturally, the appearance of the church plays very little part in my decision. However, what I have been taking note of is what takes place beyond the front doors. Will I be met with a body of believers who will love on me and accept me into their spiritual family with open arms? How is the worship? How is the message? But, it is here where I have to stop and remind myself not to base my decision upon emotion. I am not looking for a feel-good service, some place where I go to be entertained. What I am truly searching for is the presence of the Holy Spirit.
What saddens me nowadays is that I have found the church playing church. We dress up nice, enter the corridors of the sanctuary, make friendly conversation with the usher, nodd and wave at our neighbor, sit down, and then stare at the pulpit before us. We are sung to by the worship team and on cue applaud after every song as if sitting through a community theater performance. The message is spoken like a rehearsed monologue. Moments later, a basket is passed around, as members shuffle inside their purses/wallets trying to scrounge up a few bucks to throw in. This reminds me all too much of an empty baseball cap passed around to tourists on the boardwalk of Venice Beach. I hate to make this comparison, but I am only speaking upon what I have seen.
Children that were once taught sunday school lessons behind a desk and in front of a chalk board are now placed in front of a tv screen. There are toys strewn about on the floors of the "classrooms", giving the impression of a daycare center rather than a bible school. There is not a lesson planned nor rehearsal of scripture, no children's worship, and no talk of Jesus. The mention of God has been taken out of our public school systems, are we now taking Him out of church?
There is a dilution of the Word that is being fed to us and a watered-down version of sunday morning service that is offered out like lemonade on various corners of our neighborhoods. No wonder our society has fallen victim to the lies and deceits of this world. We are missing the one vital part of church and that, my friends, is the Holy Spirit. This is the same Holy Spirit that showed up in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost. The bible states "And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they [disciples] were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:2-4). What I would like to address in this scripture is what took place before the arrival of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:1, we find that the disciples "were all with one accord in one place". In other words, they were praying together in agreement, like-minded, and driven with the same purpose in the same place of worship. They were all fervently seeking the presence of the Lord. From this day forward, the Holy Spirit came upon each and everyone of them. The apostles performed signs and wonders. They sold their possessions and distributed their wealth evenly subject to need. Now, each disciple was of no value or rank higher than another. They had all things in common. As a result, we find the church grows by the thousands. "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:46-47).
This scripture states yet again that the disciples were "with one accord". We find the church moving and growing by the power of the Holy Spirit because of the disciples' commitment to the Lord. They didn't seek their own interests or wonder how the church might serve them. Instead, they gave everything they had in order to do just the opposite--serve. They died to themselves daily with "simplicity of heart" and they were content. Scripture doesn't say that the church grew through Paul's exhortation of feel-good messages or outstanding worship. On the contrary, it was the Lord that brought the increase. He searched the heart of the church and found their commitment, obedience, and desire to put the church's needs above their own. As a result, thousands of souls were saved!
Now, let's fast forward 2,000 years later. What is the practical application of this scripture in the church today? I am compelled to believe that the Holy Spirit moves when a body of believers are with one accord. When we come together in fellowship, commune with one another, and have one desire--to see God move, this welcomes the presence of the Holy Spirit. When we shut out the world's view of church as entertainment and take ourselves out of the equation, we make room for the Holy Spirit to sweep in through sanctuaries across the world, just as the gust of wind breezed through the quarters of the disciples' upper room. How often do we earnestly seek God's presence in church? How often do we praise without reservation? How often does a preacher put down his/her index cards and just follow the lead of the Holy Spirit? Not often. But, I urge you, fellow Christians, to not settle for church that conducts business as usual.
We are created to worship a God that manifests Himself in such a powerful way, in ways we can not even imagine. We are given the authority to usher in His presence when we give our all to Him. In Revelation 3:15, the Lord addresses the lukewarm church, "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot, I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." However, later we find that the Lord gives an open invitation to receive Him despite the church's faults. Scripture states, "Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (Revelation 3:20-22).
Are we open to receiving the invitation of the Holy Spirit into our church? Remember, God has no concern for the church that looks good on paper. He desires humility, an unfailing belief in the power of the Holy Spirit, and a desire to see the Holy Spirit move. Let us welcome His Spirit into our place of worship. Let us unite as the church was created with one accord and be prepared to witness miracles, signs, and wonders. Marriages can be restored, the sick can be healed, and our needs can be met when we believe and submit to the power of the Holy Spirit. We are the church. We can make the choice today to accept lukewarm faith or "hear what the Spirit says to the church". Open the invitation and receive. Come, Holy Spirit, Come!
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