Grace gives people supernatural strength to live a holy life, not superficial excuses to live an unholy life. Faith without activation is dead. To walk with Christ we have to go beyond a talk-based religion. Don’t just be a cheerleader or fan for Christian ministers. Be a playmaker for Jesus.
People who are weary of being religious spectators need opportunities to actively interact in church. Jesus said, “Come, follow Me,” not, “Come, be part of a religious audience.” God never intended for pastors or Christian speakers to take the place of the Holy Spirit.
Church trains people to be part of a passive audience. The body of Christ trains people to be active, Spirit-led team members. When the gathered body of Christ is working correctly, all the members listen directly to and then obey Jesus, the Head.
Jesus calls us to let Him propel us, living inside as our inner energizer and guide. Direct encounter and interaction with the risen Jesus is much more powerful than hearing another talk about Him. Christianity is so much more than being an audience member for a religious lecture. Christians are invited to have an ongoing audience with the King of Kings, not to just be an audience for a Sunday lecture
Hearing another sermon by the same man, week after week, seems more like the redundant life than the abundant life. Jesus wants to raise up, train, and lead a spiritual army, not entertain an audience.
When Christians have church as if Christ isn’t really present with them, they contradict His promise to be present. A Sunday talk should never replace the active, directive, convicting presence of the living Jesus.
Church is sermon centered. Ekklesia is Jesus centered. When churches keep people silent, they never know the amazing testimonies they miss out on. It doesn’t matter how many sermons you’ve heard preached if you haven’t been reached by the presence and power of Jesus Christ.
Churches have doors, but in the kingdom of God, Jesus is the door. Churches have a steeple, but in the kingdom of God, Jesus lives in ordinary people. The kingdom of God is built on voluntary, heart-felt surrender and submission to the risen Jesus, not on coercion and control. Church needs to energize, equip, and empower people, not ensnare them in religious control.
Christian conferences feature well-known speakers, however, they could feature Jesus and let Him speak through anybody present. Christians too often are attracted to speakers based on their fame or eloquence rather than on their godliness. Why depend on religious speakers when you can listen to Jesus yourself by reading the Bible daily & paying attention to His voice?
For more: search for: Beyond Church–An Invitation To Experience The Lost Word Of The Bible–Ekklesia.
