Worldly, unspiritual and demonic. That is the spirit that runs through too many churches today. Too many people think they are doing a favor to a church by attending. Or that they are doing the church a favor by serving in ministry. Or that they are doing the church a favor by tithing. Once we are saved we need to realize that it is no longer about us but always about Him. We attend church because God may desire to use us there to speak into someone's life. We serve in ministry because God has prepared good works for us to do and there are eternal lives on the line. We tithe because God prefers obedience to sacrifice. The world sells a very me-centric focus for our lives but we must live a Christ-centered existence to avoid the snares of the enemy.
And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power. 1Corinthians 2: 1-5 (NIV)
Christ and Him crucified. That is all that is needed. That is what breaks the yoke. That is where the blessings lie. The blessings aren't in catchy slogans and slick marketing campaigns. It isn't in seeker friendly, emergent, purpose driven words but only in a true demonstration of the power of the Spirit of God. Human wisdom says to look to skies for the blessings you haven't received. God's power reminds us to look inside to all the blessings we already have been given. Human wisdom says it is more important to look the part than to live the part. God's power says if you live the way He wants you to, then you can leave the church masks at home. Human wisdom says the church is about you and your needs being met. God's power says the church is all about His plans and those who have yet to come to the foot of the cross. Don't rest on human wisdom today. Don't be found seeking His blessings; be found seeking His kingdom.
Reverend Anthony Wade January 18, 2012
