-
Good At Church Bad At Christ
Contributed by Katherine Gilstrap on May 17, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: You have mastered being with Jesus BUT you gotta master your Walk with Judas
The preaching of Jesus is the key to all power, salvation, healing, deliverance, holiness etc. The preaching of the cross is the only avenue in which mankind can find forgiveness, security and spiritual well-being. It is not necessarily an easy road. It is filled with persecution, betrayal, temptation, trials and testings. Jesus calls it a narrow road, a straight way. It may not be paved with all the amenities propagated by the name it and claim it group. But it is the only way to God, and the only entrance into His kingdom.
very true prophet of the Bible, these men’s lives were usually lonely and isolated. They were ostracized and often murdered because of their message, "Repent, judgment is coming!" On the other hand, the masses were usually found mesmerized by the false prophets whose messages were only of peace and prosperity. Bewitching the people into following other gods. Replacing holiness and purity with a message of worldliness and greed. Anointed singing and preaching with so-called Christian entertainment. The Laodicean prophet has rejected the Holy Spirit of God, willfully embracing the spirit of this world
You have mastered being with Jesus gotta master your Walk with Judas
Jesus calls this group, wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. Being blind they could not recognize that everything that they believed they had accomplished had been completely rejected by Him. While performing many wonderful works and miracles in His name, and building great religious monuments, their reward would be, "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:23)
Titles with no integrity
Saved but mean and rude
BIPOLAR ATTITUDE
SPIRIT OF GOD
TITLE OR BEING SAVED DOESN’T GIVE US THE RIGHT TO TREAT PEOPLE WRONG
Gifted but imparting bad character---fighting extra demons
Their agenda is your bondage to them, their doctrine and their deeds. They talk about love, they flatter, boast of great adventures in the Lord. But the bottom line is to exploit you to the fullest.
If you break free and confront them, they try to make you believe you can not survive without them. You can’t make it on your own, you’ll never accomplish anything without their spiritual insight and instruction. Once you’re gone their lies and rumors about you and your ministry will continue.
Back to basics
Self control
MASTER BEING FAKE---OPINIONS
people believe they are right, but in reality they are indifferent
They might like to see growth, but they aren’t going to put themselves out to help create it.
When the members of the church at Laodicea looked at themselves they saw themselves as the perfect church. They were wealthy, they were powerful, they had all they needed. They could look around and say, “we have arrived.”
They thought they were rich and had it all. He looks at them and tells
WHERE IS THE CHANGE---DIFFERENCE
Spiritual deception is one of the major strategies Satan is using
2 THINGS THAT WILL NEVER LOSE IT’S POWER
GOD & SIN
GOD=BLESSINGS
SIN HAS WAGES= CURSES
WORSHIP EXPOSES PLOTS- LEARN HOW TO WORSHIP GOD
GOOD LIKES WHENWE WORSHIP HIM
the same spiritual illnesses that afflicted the Laodicean church can afflict today’s churches
• Laodicea was neither hot nor cold — “you are lukewarm” (Revelation 3:16).
• Laodicea had a high opinion of itself — “I have become wealthy and have need of nothing” (Revelation 3:17).
• Laodicea did not recognize its real condition — “you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17).
The same attitudes can appear in our personal spiritual lives:
• “Neither hot nor cold” refers to a “take it or leave it” attitude. The Lord doesn’t accept that kind of attitude. He says He will “vomit you out of My mouth.”
• “Wealthy and have need of nothing” is another way of saying “I’m on my own and don’t need anybody telling me what to do!” As one Bible version says: “oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.” (The Message).
God wants only the biggest and the best for His people
God is raising up a new breed of men and women in the spirit of Elijah.
Many Christians don’t have time for Him any more. They say they love Him, but there is no fellowship, no prayer, no Word study. The cares of this world have stolen their joy and peace.
Many Christians have been fascinated by false representations into chasing what they call the good life and the high life of the kingdom of God.