Is The Church Asleep?

In the book of Acts 2:17 Peter an apostle told the crowd a verse out of the book of Joel, a prophet of Israel.

Joel 2:28 “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”

This act of God was not done in some kind of haphazard way but done intentionally and only to those who believed in Jesus as Lord. This act of God were He sends and gives and fills people with the Holy Spirit is still happening today. It seems though it’s mostly in the lives of individuals but not on groups of people as a whole. 

I believe God wants to pour out His Spirit on all people, but the CHURCH IS ASLEEP. Why? Probably the must visible reason is people no longer want to practice excellent biblical hermeneutics but filter the reading of scripture through the wisdoms and philosophies of this world, such as political ideologies, or standpoint epistemologies or cultural zeitgeists. You can notice this when you here phrases like this, “This is what Jesus means to me….” In other words, this is how I create Jesus in my image. This is of the world.

Hear what James says, “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity (hatred) against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God… “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:4,6-7)

Today the church is not on fire for God, but it is lukewarm at best. Listen to John an apostle what he has to say to the church, “I (Jesus speaking) know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.” (Rev 3:15-18)

Many in the church are deceived and blinded by the schemes of the devil. Jesus warned that Satan will use people to deceive us, especially people that slap on the moniker of Christian or Minister. He said, “For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time. (Matt 24:24)

Church leaders have hardened their hearts which in turn effects the people they are supposed to shepherd have harden hearts. They tolerate false doctrines within the body. They tolerate willful sinful behavior within the body. These leaders are more concerned about being liked than the conditions of the souls of the people they are supposed to shepherd in Christ. They are sin coddlers and false doctrine tolerators. They no longer follow the scriptures lead. It’s no longer about Jesus’ standard for the church but self interest in Jesus name.

“But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

 “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” - 1 Corinthians 5:12-13

 As a result of this compromise, wickedness has gotten a foothold. Jesus said, “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,” (Matt 24:12)

I ask you to seek God with all your heart. Grow close to God. Wake up from your slumber.

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” (Joel 2:12)

God wants to pour out His Spirit but we all need to wholeheartedly turn to God and pray and seek His face.

Even though these verses were for the nation of Israel in the Old Testament, the principle of it can still apply the body of Christ as a whole. “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. (2Chron 7:14)

Our prayers are the bowls of incense in heaven.

And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. (Rev 5:8)

What is the condition of your heart toward God? Not the God of your making but the God of scripture.