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Rut, Rot or Revival?

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A.W. Tozer preached a sermon series titled: Rut, Rot, or Revival ~ The Problem of Change and Breaking Out of the Status Quo. In it he stated: “The treacherous enemy facing the church of Jesus Christ today is the dictatorship of the routine, when the routine becomes “lord” in the life of the church….When we come to the place where everything can be predicted and nobody expects anything unusual from God, we are in a rut. The routine dictates, and we can tell not only what will happen next Sunday, but what will occur next month and, if things do not improve, what will take place next year….That would be perfectly alright and proper for a cemetery….But the Church (and the Follower of Jesus) is not a cemetery and we should expect much from it, because what has been should not be the lord to tell us what is, and what is should not be the ruler to tell us what will be. God’s people are supposed to grow.”

We are supposed to be growing…spiritually. But Tozers’ sub-title says a great deal: “The Problem of Change and Breaking Out of the Status Quo.” What ever you want to call it, change, transition, transformation, or metamorphosis – the truth of the matter is it requires “death.” Within the world of everything vegetation there is an important step for the seed to become a plant, bush or tree: it has to be buried in the dark earth. In essence that seed of life has to be thrown into a “pit.” And not just any pit. A dark pit, made up of dark soil. How does soil become really dark? Many things sacrifice their lives, dying, to make the soil rich, and dark. The darker the soil, the richer the nutrients needed to spark life. The darker the soil – the greater the sacrifice. The greater the sacrifice – the grander the resurrection.

Physical truth often points to greater spiritual truths. For the seed to become a life-giving plant a change has to take place. It has to break out of the status quo. You see this symbolically throughout Scripture. Noah and his family are “buried” alive in a “coffin” floating on a flood of death. Joseph is thrown into a pit by his jealous brothers in order to resurrect into a “savior” for Egypt and its surrounding countries, and Jesus’ body was tossed into a “pit” in order to bring resurrection life to all those who would join themselves to His Body. Brad McClendon states, “The best place to sow seed is in the dark ground – then covered up in darkness. That’s what happens to God’s good seed. What happens to the seed – when we take it out of the pit? It dies and transformation is halted. When you reach a spiritual plateau, or “ceiling” – you are in His pit and He is trusting you to remain in order to birth something new in you.”

Ruts, and routines are accompanied by spiritual callouses, and plateaus. What moved us forward spiritually no longer does. It is during this season of the 10 Days of Awe that God reminds us we need soak in the “reign” of His Spirit, and reach for the new heights of His Son. Our spiritual plateaus become Jesus’ pits for our growing upwards.

What do we need to understand and accept? God’s seed – His Word and Spirit in us – grows better in pits, darkness, and storms. Noah, Joseph, and Jesus all trusted the Father for the resurrection. We must do the same. In the meantime, How can we have a good death? Do like any seed: soak up the rain, and stretch for the SON. And be encouraged, His Word is transfiguring you into the image of Jesus. Death is working in you – that His life might be actively at work in others. AS Isa. 60 states: the Glory of God WILL SHINE…upon His people. Be encouraged that you are conscious of the plateau and the callouses. That awareness comes only from the Spirit. That awareness is His invitation to shift, to change, and move to another level in your relating and relation to the Godhead.

Confession & Declaration 39

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Romans 8:29 For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.

I love mysteries. Everything from UFO’s to Stonehenge, from Pyramids to Big Foot, from the Loch Ness Monster to Easter Island, and the Bermuda Triangle. I just love them. What is it about them that’s so intriguing? I believe, that in part, it’s what’s left of the child within. When I was a child I grew up in areas where there were woods, secret creeks, and holes in the ground. All of these things fascinated, activated, and fueled an all too active imagination. Yet, probably the greatest reason that mysteries capture our attention is that they are imbedded in our soul, or spiritual DNA. An obvious example is found in the story lines of every good movie, book, or play. Think about it, “Why does every good story have a hero, or heroine? Why are movies, and books boring without an enemy to conquer, a challenge to overcome, and a happy ending?” Why do our souls soar from this common story line? The common denominator, is that all of these things call to “His Story” in us. For some reason, when we were younger, we knew that we were made for something more. But as life happened, and we grew older, we slowly released those hopes, and dreams. The sad truth is that many, if not most, have never stopped long enough to ponder why our dreams, and imaginations were designed for much broader possibilities than this life could contain. Combined, these aspects of our nature act as a compass pointing us away from ourselves to the greatest of all mysteries. What is that mystery? Paul begins answering this question in the Book of Ephesians.

Ephesians 3:3-10 [And] that the mystery (secret) was made known to me and I was allowed to comprehend it by direct revelation, as I already briefly wrote you.4 When you read this you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ.5 [This mystery] was never disclosed to human beings in past generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles (consecrated messengers) and prophets by the [Holy] Spirit. 6 [It is this:] that the Gentiles are now to be fellow heirs [with the Jews], members of the same body and joint partakers [sharing] in the same divine promise in Christ through [their acceptance of] the glad tidings (the Gospel). 7 Of this [Gospel] I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s free grace (undeserved favor) which was bestowed on me by the exercise (the working in all its effectiveness) of His power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints (God’s consecrated people), this grace (favor, privilege) was granted and graciously entrusted: to proclaim to the Gentiles the unending (boundless, fathomless, incalculable, and exhaustless) riches of Christ [wealth which no human being could have searched out], 9 Also to enlighten all men and make plain to them what is the plan [regarding the Gentiles and providing for the salvation of all men] of the mystery kept hidden through the ages and concealed until now in [the mind of] God Who created all things by Christ Jesus. 10 [The purpose is] that through the church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere.

Did you pay attention to the final verse? Part of God’s mystery was to unveil His plan of salvation for all mankind through His Son. Talk about “do-overs,” or “mulligans.” This mystery is the ultimate “do-over” of all times, and of all ages. What is that mystery? Think of it from Heaven’s perspective. God creates angels to serve alongside of Him in Heaven, and in the created universe. He designs a “Big Blue Marble” in the cold, empty blackness we call space. Then out of all the other “marbles” He calls forth time, life and creatures to inhabit its space and make it home. From these creatures, He fashions something far more inferior to angels – He makes man and woman. To the angels they must have looked awful puny, but to God they were His crowning achievement. To make matters worse God the Father, doesn’t select a Cherubim, or a Seraphim, one of Heaven’s Arch-angels, to rule this earth – but a mentally deficient, physically weak, spiritually infantile man. You know the rest of the story. One of those angels became so offended that he led a revolt to displace the Father, and dethrone the man-child. And in some respects satan’s plan seemed to have worked. That is until Jesus. Talk about the unveiling of a mystery. Our God is so awesome – the devil, demons and angels didn’t get the whole picture yet. Paul tells us that if the devil had of – he would never have crucified the Lord of Glory. They couldn’t see the ultimate plan – the Father was just getting warmed up. For not only did He send His Son down to earth to be a man – but this man came and took the punishment that we deserved, and defeated death, hell and the grave. But for the Father this was like flexing His pinky finger. He wasn’t done yet. Not only did He raise His Son from the dead – He began raising the slaves of satan, and enemies of God from being spiritually dead. But the story gets better. These slaves begin to serve Jesus bringing other slaves of satan to life. These former slaves begin to build God’s Kingdom on earth to clash with the kingdom of darkness. Going “awol” they enlist in Jesus’ Army to wreak havoc on the darkness with the Light of the Gospel Blood. Risen from their graves their hearts begin to beat again, dreams come to life, and now they live for something more – for some One more. At first the risen ones think their dream’s end is found passing through Heaven’s Gates. But then the story reaches a crescendo of anticipation never before imagined. Their part in the mystery – is to be conformed to Jesus in every way, co-reigning with Jesus, turning back the clock to God’s original design. Jesus has won for the Father a Forever Family, but greater than that – son’s and daughters that are chip’s off the old Rock – Jesus. The greatest part of the story? These sons and daughters are crazy in love with the Father’s son, and His Father. They want to be just like Them. They want to do the things He does. Truth is they can’t get enough of Him – they want to be forever with Him.

We overcome the accuser through the Blood of Jesus by declaring that the Father’s design for us is total metamorphosis. We’re not just a do-over, nor a make over, we are New Creations in Jesus Image. We are sons and daughters of the Most High. We – are God’s New Creation! We are His Kingdom on this earth!

Declaration 39: Thank You Jesus, that I have overcome the accuser of the brothers through Your precious Blood by being transformed into Your image – sons and daughters of the Most High. Thank You Jesus, that I am Your New Creation, Your Kingdom on this earth! Thank You Jesus, that I am part of the Mystery – Your Chosen one. I am not a do-over. I am not a make over. I am a blood, bought, born-again, happy ending! I am Your happy ending and You are mine. You are what I’ve always looked forward too; Who I always wanted to be. You are everything I imagined, dreamed of, and hoped for – going far beyond the limitations of all my expectations. Hallelu-Jah! WE – all the angels, all creation, all the planets, suns, and stars burst in applause and praise to You! WE – join the songs. WE – join the shouts. Lift up your voices and your hearts – you fishes and creatures of the seas. Raise your hands all you trees of the fields swaying, and dancing to His Glory. Burst forth in praise all you creatures of the air, the land, and the sea – and give Him the Glory! Hallelu-Jah! Hallelu-Jah! Amen!!!

Transformational Worship

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Tuesday, October 1, 2019 

I was part of the “worship wars” of the nineties in which well intentioned pastors, and worship leaders sought to teach their people a new song. Unfortunately for the sheep of those flocks changes were typically shoved down people’s throats as dry hay. The conflicts which resulted revealed a greater problem. In fact, the problem was symptomatic exposing a fundamental misunderstanding of worship. Obviously the responsibility should be placed squarely on the shoulders of the well intentioned, leadership that took their people through these things and I being one of them. During those wars I realized that I knew very little about true Biblical worship. At that time worship was a desire and passion, but it was very shallow in its approach. The Apostle Paul opens a few slumbering saints eyes when he defines true, Biblical worship in Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. 

To the Apostle Paul worship was more than a song, or body posture you assumed. To him worship was a sacrifice or offering presented to God. The very first sacrifice of worship was to be that of the entire being or body. Obviously this would involve first, and foremost, the sacrifice of our soul – mind, will, emotions, and personality. An interesting concept in a church culture that elevates the mind and crowns king, the personality. True worship focused on Jesus, not the self. During the worship wars one of the catch phrases was “seeker sensitive.” Are your worship services “seeker sensitive?” Is your preaching, or teaching, “seeker sensitive?” Which was another misguided, well-intentioned approach at being self-centered. Church santuaries began to swell with “seekers” during those time. Unfortunately, the findings were that more left the church, as a result. Worship according to Paul involved holiness, devotion, consecration, and a pursuit of being well pleasing to God. Worship also involved a holiness that was more than a religious list of “do’s and “don’t’s.” It was a separation from conforming to a culture that was anti-Christ, and anti-Holy Spirit. True worship was transformative in which the person’s thinking was radically changed. So much so that the the transformation was called a metamorphosis. 

Can we say that we are transformed, or meta-morphosized through worship? I can’t say that many songs of worship have transformed me. Nor could I say that a body posture achieved that goal. What did transform me was a combination of all the above. This is another reason that we seek God through worship. For in that pursuit we see how far we’ve wandered away from the narrow path which leads up to Jesus. Which brings up another point – its narrow. There aren’t many jostling each other to walk up this path. And may I add, that the higher we ascend, the narrower the ledges become? So how are those appetizers? Have you tried the “dip?” Its been my experience that the dip isn’t enough. You need the fire of the “Salsa.” All of which will make you want to plunge into the Waters of the Spirit.