Bless the Lord
Damien Parrott here. Author of the bestselling book “5 deadly church mistakes every Christian must avoid”. I help believers live with potency, purpose and power so they can take their walk with Christ from a passive weekly observer to an aggressive daily participant in the plan of God.
(Rev 3:20) Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
This is the most scathing condemnation that a church could receive from Jesus Christ. It’s shocking, isn’t it? And the worst part is that most people completely overlooked what Christ said. Its common use is as an overlay to a stirring organ track.
Misapplied by many preachers as an altar call. But, what we have are the words of Christ saying: he is not in your church, rather he is on the outside knocking.
As Sunday rolls around, ask yourself this question. “What if Jesus was not in your Sunday service, would you still go,”?
Worse yet, What if he said he had never been?
What if he said he wanted to go, but he was not welcome? What would your response be?
As uncomfortable as these questions maybe this is the state of the modern church. Spiritually dead and lifeless, yet propped up by programs, pop psychology and full of things God hates.
But it’s not too late, and you can fight back.
You can prevent this diabolical downward spiral. You can protect yourself and your family from the minefield that we commonly call the “church.”
Many have elevated the outward visible church to the position of God. And while it is true that the true church is the body of Christ, it should go without saying that the body can never supersede its head.
Judgment must begin in the household of faith, and if we judge ourselves now, there will be no need for correction later. But if we fail to examine ourselves as well as those around us who called themselves “Christians,” then we are in grave error.
The world is changing, and you can no longer continue to operate on misguided traditions and allegiances. In his last and final letter to the church as a whole, the statement of Christ is evident. I’m not talking to them, and I’m talking to you. Will you open the door and hear his voice?
The rich spiritual inheritance that many of us have enjoyed has been squandered and spent. This country founded on Judeo-Christian principles, its people have turned their back on God. Reading the Bible is outlawed, prayer in the name of Jesus is no longer tolerated. And while this may be shocking in the secular world in which we live, the catalyst for this book is not the secular rather the holy.
The outward visible church has turned his back on God and reflected both the culture and theology of the world around us.
The church as we know it is dead.
While chaos engulfs us, and destruction nips at the foundations we have built our lives on. There is also a tremendous opportunity. An opportunity to return to the basics of our faith. An opportunity to develop your skills to engage the lost and dying around you. An opportunity to make the huge leap from someone who “goes,” to church, to someone who “is,” the church.
I grew up on the pews of the first Baptist Tabernacle. I saw the mothers of the church transition from this life into the next. To be replaced by illegitimate children and their mothers who desperately ran to the church house seeking refuge.
The soul-stirring gospel music that has no equal, to the imprinted fans donated by the local neighborhood funeral home.
I know about church life.
For all the fun memories and lifelong relationships which began on those wooden pews, something was missing.
The book of Acts is littered with transformed lives, supernatural acts of courage, and groups of people throughout the known world who turn the world upside down. While I had fond memories when I lacked was a transformed life. What I lacked was changed mind.
And while it is possible that my personal experiences are a result of my failures or inadequacies, my research has shown that is not the case. But change and transformation are not only possible, but you can be the catalyst for change. While the road will be difficult, with many adversaries, you can rest assured that victory is yours.
The time has come for you to explode out of mediocrity in the tiny box of “church attendance,” and take your spot among those who turned the world upside down.
You can grow in your faith, and develop the skills to effectively make disciples. With the right training.
Start by getting your free copy of my bestselling book” 5 deadly church mistakes every Christian must avoid”
So until the next time fight courageously, take action, and accomplish the impossible with God.
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I think this
“Christ is on the outside trying to get in” is the reason we do not see miracles any more.
we are to heal the sick, fight demons, and raise the dead back to life, in Jesus name.
if our churches really had Jesus in them, we would be seeing what Jesus would be doing through us
many churches do not help the poor any more, but they have money to build magnificent buildings
I absolutely agree…Too busy building the building while neglecting the people…
“an opportunity to make the huge leap from someone who “goes,” to church, to someone who “is,” the church” Yes Yes and Yes! I agree with everything you said. Great article! wow! I’m not known really, but I have been pastoring, praying with people, following after the Spirit, and doing what God tells me for years now. The decision came of being rejected, having God show me in his word what was really going on in church, and how many of the leaders I idolized were not always growing or completely following after Him. There has been a lot of hurt, but God continues to remind me: “Be part of the solution, not part of the problem”. That very statement sums up God’s mandate to overcome and become all we can be, in Him. Thanks for this delicious article! Praise God!
Laura Grace – I identify with you in a lot of what you said here with regard to rejection and how God is opening your eyes to see what is really going on in the church. The Lord began opening my eyes to this about 20 years ago, and he has had me writing about it for about 13 years now. So, I get what you are saying.
I love it! it’s nice to know we are not alone! I’ve written many things that got me even more rejection and bad looks, however I am seeing God using me now, as he has polished me to say things in love and not be so abrasive. 🙂 PRAISE YOU JESUS!
Laura Grace, I have found that we can say things, even in love, and with gentleness, and still be rejected because people don’t like the message, no matter how you present it. The truth hurts no matter how kindly it is spoken. Yet, we do need to learn the right ways of communicating truth so that we are not offending people with our personalities. It is ok if we offend them with the gospel, because the gospel is an offense to those who are perishing. But we do need to let our conversations be full of grace, seasoned with salt.
Thanks for writing back and sharing that with me. We need to always be listening to the Lord and learning better ways of saying things, the way he wants them said, though, and not man’s ways.
right! I find that while I love to speak to the masses, God is able to do more in one-on-one settings. This way he can impart to me how to speak uniquely to that person. I have seen God do so many things through one on one conversatons with people, over coffee, over lunch or at a church fellowship. He just wants us to know him more than he wants us to know about him. This is my passion! And it must be said again and again in as many ways as possible. We’re like Paul Revere riding through the streets saying “Jesus is coming!” do you have a real true blue relationship with him? For that my dear truly is EVERYTHING! Amen
This very thought provoking.
Truth … the elevation of the church to God…
So powerful and so true! Thanks for sharing!
In so many ways I agree with you. I once asked in a Bible study why we don’t see the lost, the unwashed, the homeless coming to our church. I was verbally attacked.
But there are some things that I see differently.
I think we should pay greatest attention to two things that seem to be the most often lacking. The Bible says that judgment is God’s not ours. And Jesus said the greatest thing is to love God and each other.
I also see the move towards separation of church and state not as a bad thing but rather as the only thing that protects our right to follow our own beliefs. Jesus himself said to give to Casear what is Caesar’s and give to God what is His. If religion is intertwined with government then what is protected is the faith of those in power. Instead, the right to worship should be protected. The Bible is not outlawed. But the rulings have been misunderstood. Government buildings can display religious items but if they do so then they should recognize the various faiths that make up our country. But recognizing that government should not be involved in religion is not the same as outlawing the Bible. You can take your Bible with you to work and school. You can hold a prayer meeting at work and school. But the government should not be the organizer of such meetings. Protect all of us and our individual right to express our faith is protected.
Faith is not dead. But the living relationship with our God does not seem to be found very often. We have traded our roles believing that our job is to judge not love.
We need to get back to love.
I did not see the link to get your book and I would very much like to read it.
I agree on your assessment of the vast majority of today’s church, particularly here in America. Yes, Jesus is on the outside, because they have kicked the Holy Spirit right out of their churches, and they have turned to Marketing 101 books to “grow” their churches, and to the US government for their security, like the children of Israel turned to Egypt instead of to God. They have partnered with the government, which is against scripture, which tells us we must not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. And, they have turned God’s house of prayer into a marketplace, a business of human-making, marketed just like any other human based business, with all the scheming, tricks, gimmicks, targeting of certain groups of people, while pushing aside the “unwanted,” lying to and manipulating people to their advantage, in order to grow their “churches,” i.e. businesses, etc., which Jesus is strongly against. “Worship” services have been turned into big stage productions in order to attract the world to “the church,” and pastors have turned into used car salesmen, clowns and entertainers in order to make the world feel at home in “the church” gatherings. Worldly means are being used to attract the world to “the church,” and church gatherings are often planned around meeting the needs (wants) of the “customer base.” Thus, movie clips are shown, some of which come from sexually-charged movies, and women on stage sway their hips and sing like bar singers which then stirs fleshly lust. And, to top it all off, the gospel of Jesus Christ is diluted down to a half-truth gospel, which is a lie, in order to not offend the “customers.” And, some of those who are walking with the Lord and are serious about following the scriptures, and who are teaching the old time gospel as taught by Jesus and his NT apostles, are being encouraged to “go someplace else” where they will be a “better fit.” So, Jesus Christ is being kicked out of these worldly churches, because he would offend the customers with the truth, and they can’t have that.
How did Israel turn to Egypt instead of God?
“How did Israel turn to Egypt instead of God?” You can read about it in Isaiah 30-31. Hope this answers your question.
Damien, thanks for reading my blog. Keep preaching truth, brother.
So much truth here! Often times the problem is inside the church building – when we should be outside serving Him! Keep it up – more and more Christians need to be motivated out of the pews and into the mission field, even the mission field that is their own family and neighborhood and workplace.
Thanks for dropping by Rogue Millennials, Damien. You nailed it, as usual. Too many pew-sitters has made the church ill, lazy, and ineffective today. But all it takes to rejuvenate the Body is to inspire and teach Christians to take up their personal ministry – to love God and every person He puts them in contact with on a regular basis! The Gospel is GOOD news, not bad – and the yoke is easy – and a life of faith in personal relationship with God was not meant to be what it’s become today. We’re here to set captives free, starting with ourselves – stepping up to complete the good deeds God has prepared for us! (Ephesians 2:10)
When I was a student in high school those who had done well in their classes were exempted from writing their final examination. We had been judged good and had no need to go through the final exams. We didn’t need to prepare ourselves because we had already passed! For us it was like getting into heaven. Beautiful late spring weather and no worries about any examination. We could even slack off as long as we looked like we were paying attention!
What would happen if churches took up such a wonderful policy? At the end of every Sunday service the preacher could say; “Those who feel they have been cured of their sinful tendencies need not attend next week. However, if you’re still a sinner in need of Jesus, feel free to come. If you sin during the week and need to confess – come and confess! If you’re broken and desperate, be here! Come and be healed with the rest of us scum.”
https://stepsdowntheroad.wordpress.com/2012/12/14/church-growth-a-modest-proposal/
Hi Damien! Thank you for reading my blog post and for the “follow.” You just spoke truth. Keep speaking it!. Jesus’ message to churches in Revelation should make every church wake up. I often wonder: If Jesus were to give a performance review of today’s churches, what would he say? God bless you for calling on us to wake up.
Bless the Lord, my brother.
Amen!
Amen, Damien. Keep up the good work. The truth about the way things are began to open up when I read Paul’s apostolic defense–how he commended himself. I compared how he commended himself and how we do. Upside down. Then, in the first chapters of 1 Corinthians, I realized that Paul was getting after the believers for placing one leader over another in a hierarchy. He told them that he, Peter, and Apollos were “not anything.” They were servants. Also, Jesus’ teaching on leadership and His example, were, again, upside down from the way we view church leadership today. Anyway, I humbly (I hope!) suggest reading the books in which I’ve dealt with these subjects. Leadership on the Brink. The Wrong Road Taken. The God We Do Not Know. And thanks for visiting the blog. May the Lord bless you in your ministry.
Interesting blog, thanks for the likes!
I need to purchase a copy !
I want to comment. I want to put in my two cents worth, but! I can’t. This I know:
The Plan Of Restoration To The Original Intent For Our Creation Is In Effect —To Love And To Be Loved.
Behold! The Power Of Love & Wisdom From On High Drenched Upon Us All. It Never Fails. It Always Avails!
Much love, thiaBasilia. 🙂 http://www.thia-basilia.com/
Thanks for the like at daily Bible prayer. Praying you sense God‘s presence with you in the storms of life. Calming them or calming you. He specializes in both . Laura
Damien, Man you are speaking exactly what I have been saying for years. The Church has falling asleep. 911 jerk them but I am afraid that what will be the next thing that it might be a little to late then. Keep up the work praying for you my brother.
Thanks Damien, and thanks for lking my blog.
The problem with most sermons on this passage is that they go from describing the lukewarm water that came from the aqueducts in Laodicea straight to standing at the door, which as you said, was not meant as an alter call.
The bit between, which I have never heard a sermon on, shows the church not getting anything because they don’t ask, and they do’t ask because they are self sufficient. Churches are not supposed to be self sufficient, they are supposed to rely on God.
Basically what this means is that I think you have got it spot on.
Amen brother! The people in churches today are either empty, or have quenched the the Holy Spirit, and the people who sit in the pews won’t read their bibles. If they do read them,it’s a per-version of God’s Holy Word. Today on my blog I gave many helps to get lukewarm Christians back on the strait and narrow path.
Damien, thanks for the like. Blessings!
Your article reveals a sorry state of affairs within the church. Anand Bose from Kerala
Awesome word! We have to pray for a mighty move of God’s Spirit! Thanks for the like on my blog today. We have to stick together!
I’d Love to have a copy of this book