The Methodist church still uses the cross and a flame as a symbol but the flame went out long ago. What do you do when your founding no longer lines up with your current church? In other words, what do you do when your methodology does not reflect your stated theology? In other words, let me see your methodology and I will show you your true theology.
So what does it mean when your stated and preached theology does not reflect your actual theology? You are a liar. You may not mean to be, but you are.
Have you ever been in a service that had an altar call for the baptism in the Holy Ghost then did not actually lay hands on anyone to receive it? I have. Ever seen a man stand in the pulpit of a denominationaly pentecostal church and preach sola scriptura? I have. Ever been persecuted by the elders of a pentecostal church because their teenage children saw open visions of the end times in one of your meetings? I have. And every time I thought it was some sort of bizarre isolated occurrence. I no longer think so.
These are the works of the flesh that take place when pentecostal faith is no longer being exercised. It seems in every generation or so a new move has to come along and restate what the generation before was supposed to carry.
I have decided to preach it from the rooftop and I really don’t care who it offends.
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That’s the stance I completely believe in. The ministries that are doing the most for the Kingdom are the ones that aren’t afraid to step on toes. You can’t change lives if you’re just preaching fluffy sermons that make everyone feel good, but don’t make them examine their own spiritual lives.
I say Amen to that! I pray blessings on your ministry in the name of Jesus! I pray that lives are changed for Him!
I say a hearty AMEN to all of that. I was loyal to a certain denomination for 1/2 of my life. Then circumstances put in me in different circles. Looking at the decline of that denomination today, saddens me. And then again, it is an affirmation to me that there is more to serving God, than serving a certain “church”.
You’re in good company. Jesus himself is “a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence” to those who honour their own flesh instead of honouring the Word. I think He himself demonstrated that you have to accept the inevitability of offending some in order to win some. You wouldn’t believe (well maybe you would!) how many church-goers come and tell us off on the streets for healing people - as if Jesus himself isn’t doing it right before their very eyes!
I’ve been pondering James’ words that faith without works is dead and maybe I’ll blog something on it soon. I’m sure he offended many when he basically said: look, you’re telling me that you believe in the resurrection and in the Kingdom, that you’re repentant, and that you’re following Jesus in the power of the Spirit, but I’m telling you … I don’t see much fruit!
This post is more like how I preach than how I write but it is out there now. I normally throttle my writings but it is what it is.