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Date Posted: 12:48:02 09/16/06 Sat
Author: Rev. Mark McManus
Author Host/IP: 69.144.150.160
Subject: HOLD TIGHTLY TO JESUS


Over the years, many of us have seen the "church" i.e. formal congregations, go through many phases.

We saw the Name it Claim it, Rolex with the French cuff movement, to the Go for the RUSH of a spiritual "experience" even if it is in error movement, to worshiping the Bible i.e the written book, over the Christ of the bible. (Faith in our faith vs. the Jesus of our faith)

Now it seems that we have moved into, the seeker sensitive, target market, popularity poll taking of church elders, to determine the "Venue" that is most "attractive" to it's "audiences".

Is music bad? Absolutley not! The Word of God even goes into detail about the various kinds of lavish praise in music. But the key word here is PRAISE and WORSHIP, not PERFORMANCE focussed. (P&W is where the music and worship team "lead" the body in P&W) Perf. Focussed is where the congregation watches the band and singer performe religious music as an audience.

Does that mean that practicing hard, expecting those in praise and worship teams etc. to sing on key, give their best and strive for excellence to God's glory is somehow UN-spiritual? Now way!

We "always" give our best for the Lord. and (Speaking as a worshiper, and musician) it can be a "distraction" from worship..if those ministering in music or voice, don't have it together. It becomes a (stumbling block)

What I am talking about is when a church seeks to do a market poll on what music will draw the most, etc. This is not worship and praise, this is Marketing the gifts of God to grow a church.

SO WHAT'S WRONG WITH GROWING A CHURCH!??

Nothing.... but the key is... WHAT ARE YOU GROWING.??

Yeh..we have GREAT music, Great Theatrical presentations, motivational messages that are about real life situations...You know, courage, patience, loving your neighbor, being all you can be? Hmmm..

IF..JESUS..CHRIST..HIS..WORD..AND THE ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT..TO INTERUPT THE "AGENDA" OR SHOW.IS NOT AT THE FOREFRONT. YOU HAVE A CARPET LINED, FEEL GOOD..ENTERTAINING..SOCIAL CLUB DESIGNED TO NUMB THE CONSCIENCE.

Yeh but if we get toO.. religious and bible thumping..they might get put off and leave.. Hmmm...?

IF...THE WORD OF GOD...THE CONVICTION OF THE HOLY SPRIT..AND THE TRUTH OFFEND THEM FROM COMING TO JESUS, WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THAT A DALE CARNIGE PMA MESSAGE WITH A HOLLYWOOD PRESENTATION, IS GOING TO KEEP THEM FROM GOING TO HELL.

Lowering our standards in ministering to the lost does not make it more palletable or relational for the un-beleiver, it just protects our ridiculous religious egos from being insutled if someone rejects us, rather than just telling the truth. period. IN LOVE? Yes always.

Are old church hymms more holy than new praise and worship? NO..That's just musical taste. But WHAT does the music say? Is IT trying to CONFORM to the WORLD, or trying to REACH the WORLD for JESUS CHRIST?

I have a friend that is a Pastor of a huge church. I love him and his wife very much. Yet over the years, I have seen this church become one of the many (New Corporate Mega churches. Where the body is the target market group, the Pastor is the CEO and the focus of JESUS, the ministering presence of the Holy SPirit, and God's presence is filtered through the, New softer gentler and creatively broadened venues; so we don't offend any, endorse all, and be politically correct, yet spiritually warm and fuzzy.

HELL is not warm and fuzzy! Neither is the Holy Spirit.

Tender Yes, Gentle YES, Intimate YES.. Unbelievably loving YES..but He is not a teddy bear or a psycoligical placibo.. HE IS HOLY!

So I visit the very church I used to worship team on some time ago..The Pastor has gone from (Guardian Shepherd) to
pandoring pastorate. It greatly saddened my heart, yet is expressive of what is happening in many churches.

We have NO CLUE what persecution is in the USA. Instead of becoming thick skinned and tender hearted, we have many in ministry that are thin skinned and hard hearted.

Many Pastors of churches get a mean letter, a disaproving look, or a drop in the TITHE or member count and the next week you find them wearing whatever their PR person says is most SEEKER sensative. Re-writing their sermons so they are more like a brotherly PMA pump up, than the Man of God trying to keep the lost from going to Hell. and genuflecting to what ever the latest threat may be.

BROTHERS AND SISTERS...THESE THINGS OUGHT NOT BE SO!

DON'T COMPROMISE!

AFRAID OF CRITICISM? GET OVER IT, AND LIVE FOR CHRIST JESUS BECAUSE HE WAS BEATEN HUMILIATED AND SCORNED FOR YOU AND I.

The move of God will NOT be about our great academic achievments. (Satan could care less if you have a PHD or DD or BBQ) IT'S ABOUT SEEKING GOD'S WISDOM (INSPITE..OF OUR IGNORANT FLESH)

It will NOT be about our great talents.

There are lists of "talented" musicians actors, writers, etc. who are going to hell not knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. IT IS ABOUT US LAYING OUR TALENTS BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD, AND SAYING THY..WILL..BE DONE..NOT MINE.. Lead me and guide me as you will my LORD, MASTER, SAVIOR, and KING.

It will NOT be about how witty we can be, or how creatively we drape ourselves, or our churches or "Stages".
It will be about. SPEAKING TRUTH TO A HEART DESPERATE FOR TRUTH IN A WORLD OF LIES, HOPE IN CHRIST, WHEN THE HOPE OF THE WORLD HAS BEEN SEARCHED OUT AND FOUND EMPTY. AND THE love that says.. I CARE MORE ABOUT YOUR ETERNAL LIFE, THAN WHAT YOU THINK OF ME FOR TELLING YOU ABOUT IT.

As we CRUCIFY our egoes we exalt the ressurected Christ.
As we ABANDON the flesh and "our" strength we are Mightly empowered in the spirit to do the will of the Father.
As we REMEMBER that we are seated in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus, ...where we are seated in the opinion of man will be of no consequence.

You will give, and get no thanks
You will love, and be resented, hated, or slandered
You will reach out and be rejected
You will speak the truth, and be called a liar
The world may indeed despise you.. or even more close to home...you friends or family may..

But this world is not our home..it is our mission field for now, but not..our home.
We stand in the hall of the critics, but one day we shall stand before our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
There is no sorrow or scorn that can compare to joy, and glorious praise of that day..

Love like it's your last day
Stand like it's your last battle
Live, like your life is not your own
Forgive like the offense upon you was your own sin, in which you are before the Throne of God, asking for forgiveness and mercy.

Hold Tightly to Jesus, with all your might.
Let HIM be the beauty in your music
Let HIM be the tapestry in the finest woven message
Let HIM be undeniable difference that people notice
Let HIM be our strength in weakness
Let HIM be our praise in sorrow
Let HIM be our everything......

I certainly guess, that I needed to share my heart.

Thanks for you grace.

In His Incredible love
Rev. Mark McManus

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