The Candlestick
The Lord reminded me this morning of a word I heard the other day. He said,
"I am taking the candlestick away from the big churches and the big ministries and I am giving it back to the little churches - the little people." The Lord also said to me today that there is coming a day when He will ask us, "What did you do with the light I gave to you?”
Serious words. Serious question.
The Word of God says this in Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
How many churches do you know where they have every social and service activity under the sun. They have ladies groups, men’s groups, seniors groups, youth groups, and children’s groups. They have mum & toddler club, lunch club, after school club, wives club, singles club and so on. They have bible studies, evening and day time prayer meetings, Sunday Schools, weekday fellowships – the list is almost endless.
Who are these activities for?
I believe that one of the great deceptions and diversions that Satan has made is to turn the church into a kind of social glee club. I believe he has so turned us towards world thinking and busy-ness that we have forgotten to keep doing the Fathers business. We seem to spend so much time on our “Christian Activities” for the people already inside the church that we have forgotten to do those things in the great commission for those outside the church.
Mark 16:15-18 (NIV)
“He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."
The candlestick is the Gospel – it is all about Jesus who said He is the light of the world. The Lord is taking that candlestick away from the big ministries, the big churches, those who are so busy with their own and the enemies own activities on behalf of their own people that they have forgotten to put their light up high for all outside the church to see.
Let me re-quote what the Lord said to me - "I am taking the candlestick away from the big churches and the big ministries and I am giving it back to the little churches - the little people." He also said to me that there is coming a day when He will ask us, "What did you do with the light I gave to you?"
He showed me that we are “little church”, and we are “little people”. The candlestick is the light of His Gospel. It’s our job to make sure our light shines and when it does, unsaved people will be drawn to it like moths round a light bulb. They will want to know what it is we have but they don’t have. What will we say when people ask? We may only have the one chance and we must simply take it."
OK then – what or how will you answer when He says to you “What did you do with the light I gave to you?”
CGB @cgbrofmi
18 April 2010
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I'm not sure I understand your point about large churches and ministries related to the scriptures you give. My church has chosen to disciple people through small groups. Christ served people every where he went, healing, feeding etc. If I am to be like Christ, then I will do the same.
ReplyDeleteMy church started small and grew because the pastor responded to the challenge of living out scripture way back in the 1960's. He taught, preached and prayed and the congreagation followed Jesus because of his obedience to Christ's call.
Fortunatley for me people were still reaching out in the early 90's when I showed up broken from depression and anxiety as a result of childhood sexual abuse. I received personal attention from people trained in healing prayer. My church has grown since the early 90's and this weekend I took the first training to become a healing prayer minister.
My thoughts are this: Size as in numbers and buildings doesn't matter. It is the size of faith in action by the people that does. It matters not if they are well known or minister in anonymity. A body that ministers Jesus as Christ, in His power and love, will grow.
Thanks Chris..You have shared a word here that is from God and you are ever faithful to do so ...God bless you as you labor
ReplyDeleteKeeping our eyes on the prize rather than being easily diverted by too many church activities (raising hand). Thank you, Chris.
ReplyDeleteChris you have correctly again stirred an antipodean soul that shares an eternal date with you.
ReplyDeleteBrother we are so parallel as I reflect on @myparable and this blog.
Nevertheless I wrestle indeed struggle with what a church will look like when that which is consumed in 'doing' becomes given over to 'being'.
Maybe a blog or 2 there bro ... would really love your thoughts, as always.
To Sojouner
ReplyDeleteNo word such as this applies to every church, but how many churches have program after program yet their only real outreach to the outside and hurting world is a cleverly worded notice outside the church - usually urging folk to "come on in - everyone is welcome." Trouble is the very folk they aim their 'outreach' at are those who wouldn't usually be seen within a mile of the inside of any church. In fact, save for hatch, match, and despatch, they will never come inside a church. The church in response organises more and more activities - but still only their own people turn up. Why is this do you suppose?
In general terms, the church has forgotten how to preach or otherwise get the gospel out to the unchurched. Sure it is preached some weeks, but who is there to hear the sermon?
As I say, I do not include every church in this article but if the cap fits sir, then your church, or any other church, must wear it. There are quite a few churches whose sole purpose is to reach the lost but there are very many who are too smug and comfortable in their sanctified complacency. When Jesus returns, He will surely ask each of us that question - “What did you do with the light I gave to you?”
People who need a light are generally in darkness. Luke 2:27-32 says that the light is for the nations (i.e. non-Jewish pagans who were unaware of the one, true God). That's what our light is to be as well. Psalm 119 calls the Bible (the Word or Torah in it's original context) a light unto our feet. Each individual can be a light. So can each congregation. I had similar thoughts not too long ago: http://shema-yisrael.org/blogspot/2010/03/being-a-light-in-a-dark-world/
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