Do We Have Pigeon Religion?

2. c. They avoid areas where’s there’s a lot of noise; but the pigeons are at home there. With pigeons, the stomach rules; with Doves, it’s the atmosphere that makes them feel welcome or not. This is a great truth about the Holy Spirit.

III. COUNTERFEIT CHURCHES & CHRISTIANS

JUST AS A DOVE IS THE SYMBOL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, SO THE PIGEON CAN BE REGARDED AS A COUNTERFEIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

A. HOW CHURCHES COUNTERFEIT THE SPIRIT

1. People say, “Oh! The Holy Spirit really came down on Sunday!” When you ask them what they meant, what they describe is really Pigeon Religion. They were impressed by the noise and activity. In fact, many churches, during their worship services, COPY rock concerts, including blasting music, light shows, and fog machines. The spotlights often flash on the crowd because they’re the true focus of the service! Not all that glitters is gold.

2. There’s a lot of hype in churches today. Many churches treat the ministers like celebrities and the minsters promote themselves and talk a lot about what they’ve done. But Jesus said, “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth is come...He shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak....He shall glorify Me” Jn. 16:13-14. Needless to say, the Holy Spirit is not in human glorification.

3. The Dove came down on Jesus and “remained.” The Dove has a mind of His own. You can train/manipulate a Pigeon, but you can’t train/manipulate a Dove. Some ministers try to manipulate the believers by getting them to fall on the floor for “carpet time.” They feel the need to ‘give them a push’ or blow on them, etc. I believe that’s manipulation.

4. God won’t bless manipulation and He won’t share His glory with another! Let the Holy Spirit do ministry His way. God doesn’t need any help to work a miracle! The healings Jesus did weren’t always immediate or visible. Many happened as they went on their way, or in stages (Lk. 17:14; Mk. 8:24; John 9:7). God doesn’t intend for us to be the Holy Spirit ourselves. Pray and let Him do the miracle.

B. OUR DUTY: TO GET THE H.S. TO REMAIN

1. The Dove remained on Jesus because His life was the right atmosphere for the Dove. He felt at home. If WE want the Holy Spirit to rest on us & remain on us – as believers – we need to have the right atmosphere in our hearts and homes. The Spirit is pure, gentle, & sensitive; He lives in peaceful places, and where Jesus is spoken of and glorified.

2. When the Spirit does come down, we say, “Holy Spirit, please stay!” But often the Dove flies away. Why? Many reasons. We start driving our car and get mad at a driver, “Watch where you’re going!” we roar. Or we get upset because an old lady at a store checkout insists on counting her change – and the Dove flies away.

3. HUMOR

a. Who knows how many pints are in a quart? (2)

b. On her way to a picnic, Julie Guiterrez stopped at a fast food place to order a quart of potato salad. "We don't sell it by the quart," the clerk snapped.

c. "Okay, then give me two pints, please," she replied.