Why do THEY Come? (Part 3)

*This series is used in our Pre-Revival Conference material called

The Saul Syndrome: Sixteen Indicators of a Wayward Heart

Seven different and distinct groups of people that USUALLY attend or belong to a local church. Part 3

6. Community Minded Group: (They are a group of people who have a civic mindset about attending the house of God. A sense of community is at the core of their desire to fellowship. They want to belong to a place that has good morals and feels like everyone should be one big community no matter what you believe in. Their standard is measured by the peace of those who are gathered and not the plumb line of God’s Word. Jesus is a major part of their conversations and social life, but this is the problem. Why is this a problem? He’s not their Life as with the Christ Magnifiers. These serve well as long as everything goes their way) (i.e.. Martha, Luke 10:40-41)


7. Christ Magnifiers Group: (They are a group of sanctified, surrendered, submissive, and serving stewards. These disciples honestly desire for Jesus to set their daily agenda and sanctify all their actions. Why do they want Him to do so? He is their Life and He satisfies their deepest affections. They love the Author of the Word of God. They long for His Authority over their life. They lean on the Authenticity of God's Word and live for the Advancement of His kingdom agenda. They are a living sacrifice that has come to the house of God to worship the God they fear and to give of themselves to serve His people. They consistently glean truth from the presence of God through His people and for His glory. They abide in the Vine and stir others on to love and good works. These are true soul-winning/disciple-makers living in the beauty of simplicity. They are single minded in their pursuit to seek first the King of Glory and His righteousness; therefore they believe in lifestyle worship, repentance, fellowship, and discipleship (the ministry of reconciliation) while progressively growing in the grace and knowledge of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.) (i.e.. Mary, Luke 10:39,41 i.e.. John, John 19:25-27)


What Group Do YOU Fit IN? (Prayerfully, if you're not living in number seven you will lay your life down to Jesus and the demand of His Gospel. (Mark 8:34-28) If you are lost (ie... perishing because from an eternal perspective you're in a vast wilderness with no means to survive its desolate conditions as a result of sin's destruction, and with no hope of escape; therefore being lost in this place of sin you are as sure as dead unless you are found). The problem is not with what you do but it is what you are: You are SIN! It's YOU not what YOU do that's the problem. What you do is a result of who you are. Yet Jesus knows YOU are the problem and He still gave His life to rescue you from yourself. Jesus looks past what you have done or goes beyond the sins you have committed in order to deal with the iniquity/wickedness of your fallen and sinful nature. (Micah 7:18-20) We, natural men and women, are normally overcome with the actions of men more than the issues of their heart. Jesus is not deterred by your sinful actions. He took your sin upon the cross so He could deal with the root of your sinful acts. Why? The Father couldn't look past your sin so He gave His Son to satisfy His wrath that you deserve. Your sin condition had you separated from God and condemned to death. Yet God the Father established a very important and eternal truth when He gave us His Son. He established and settled it for all eternity that He loves us with an everlasting love. And because of such a great love He gave to us His Son, Jesus Christ, even though we were hostile enemies to His purpose and pleasure. Salvation is always about God and will forever be about Him and His grace. Because Jesus was without sin when He took upon the fullness of God's wrath, He also supplies the favor necessary to be forgiven and reconciled to a Just and Holy God. To do this He has to change us from the inside. He gets to the root of our sin problem; US! Have you heard Him call you to follow Him? Have you answered His demand of repentance? Have you turned to trust and follow Jesus? Has He delivered you from yourself and darkness? If He has this would mean that you have turned from your sin and self-centered living in order to place your life at the mercy of the Lord. Jesus gave His life for your life! If He's interrupted you and invaded you by His grace surrender to His call today and set your life at His disposal. Give yourself to Him today and forever! I'm not asking you if you placed your faith in a decision you made, or plan you trusted or even a prayer you prayed but have you been set free from everything and everyone to follow the Greatest Interrupter that has ever lived, Jesus Christ? Can you believe the right plan and not be saved? Yes! Many have believed the plan of salvation but do not have a personal relationship with the Person of salvation, The Lord Jesus Christ. Plans, prayers, and decisions are not what saves. It's Jesus who saves! And if anyone is ever saved it is by the grace of God the Father and the gift of grace by Jesus Himself. Salvation is for God's glory and our good both now and forever.

(2 Cor. 5:14-21 ; Luke 14:26-33)

Why Do THEY Come? (Part 2)

*This series is used in our Pre-Revival Conference material called The Saul Syndrome: Sixteen Indicators of a Wayward Heart

Seven different and distinct groups of people that USUALLY attend or belong to a local church. Part 2

4. Caring Missions Group: (They are a group of people who, characteristically, have more love and loyalty to the church locality and building than for Jesus and a humble and holy approach to His Truth. Their ear is always in tune to listen for problems going on in other peoples lives because they “CARE.” They know everything you need to know about everyone and the problems with people, world events, and worldly things, especially things of no eternal value. The danger is that they are not tuning to God’s Word and allowing the Truth to set them free. Their counsel is carnal being gleaned from a worldly philosophy, therefore it aids and comforts the wicked in their wrong doing. They tend to over look sin and fail to truly help people be set free in Christ, yet they will continue to tell others how concerned they are over the condition of their church, community and country. They want everyone else “fixed”, yet they have no sound Biblical wisdom and lack discernment. Their catch-all answer for everyone and everything is “They just need to LOVE everybody.” Holiness is not their passion and their honest opinions are only descriptive of what they see and not prescriptive; therefore they provide no eternal counsel. Their advice is very deceptive because it's usually given with "CARE." If empty traditions of men are characteristically their aim and authority they have never been truly transformed by the redemptive grace of God.) (i.e.. Hymenaeus, Alexander & Philetus, 1 Tim. 1:18-20 ; 2 Tim.2:17 i.e.. Savage wolves Acts 20:29-32 i.e.. Natural brute beast 2 Pet.2:12-22 )

5. Controlling Manipulators Group: (They are a group of people who have deeply rooted and ungodly motives to control the direction of the church and the people whom God has anointed to lead His flock. They will criticize, if necessary, to undermine the integrity of Christ centered leadership by questioning the motive behind every dollar spent, the reason for ministries that they do not approve of, while at the same time acting super spiritual and divinely concerned about the “path their Church is going.” They make an effort to secretly find others to join them in controlling and manipulating the direction and ministries of the church. These, who love to have the preeminence, appear to be deeply devoted and righteous men and women that know how to persuade and convince the immature. Some are very good at being "unnoticed" by the majority as a controller. They know how to flatter people to gain information about meetings and messages given by the pastor or other leaders in their absence. This is a dangerous group that can hinder ministries if not dealt with properly because they are normally well liked by the majority, i.e.. Caring Mission and Community Minded) (i.e.. Judas John 12:4-6 i.e.. Diotrephes 3 John v.9,10)

What Group Do YOU Fit IN? (Prayerfully, you're not in any of the five already mentioned in this series. If you are turn to Jesus. This would mean that you must turn from your sin and self-centered living in order to place your life at the mercy of the Lord. Jesus gave His life for your life! If He's interrupted you and invaded you by His grace surrender to His call today and set your life at His disposal. Give yourself to Him today and forever! (2 Cor. 5:14-21 ; Luke 14:26-33)

[Come back tomorrow for part 3; groups 6-7]

Why Do THEY Come? (Part 1)

*This series is used in our Pre-Revival Conference material called The Saul Syndrome: Sixteen Indicators of a Wayward Heart

Seven different and distinct groups of people that
USUALLY attend or belong to a local church. Part 1

1. Careless Morals Group: (They are a group of people who have no real sense of why they have come to the House of God. They have followed the crowd or family and they have no real grip on why they should fellowship with believers. The youth and children can easily fall into this category when following other youth to church. This group is simpleminded and foolish and have not been under any conviction of their spiritual state.)

(i.e. Simon Acts 8:9-25 ; By-stander Luke 9:59)

2. Curious Motives Group: (They are a group of people who are curious about this “Jesus” thing or what a church has to offer them. They may have just moved to an area or leaving another church and are motivated by curiosity. Some will sense a need to live right so they come to see what the church is all about. Young married couples can find themselves in this group but may not be ready to pay the cost of following Jesus.)
(i.e. Rich Young ruler Luke 18:18-23)

3. Crisis Management Group: (They are a group of people who are usually in trouble and they are looking for help. They were brought up in the Caring Missions or Community Minded home and told the church would always be there when you needed her. They have a variety of troubles; from kids, finances, marital, or in trouble with the law. Some have lost a job or a spouse. This group is looking for the church to help them with a quick fix and not Jesus. When the problems are fixed to their satisfaction they are out the door until the next crisis. (i.e. The fearless seeker Pr. 1:28, 29-31)

What Group Do YOU Fit IN? (Prayerfully, you're not in any of these three. If you are turn to Jesus. This would mean that you must turn from your sin and self-centered living in order to place your life at the mercy of the Lord. Jesus gave His life for your life! If He's interrupted you and invaded you by His grace surrender to His call today and set your life at His disposal. Give yourself to Him today and forever! 2 Cor. 5:14-21)

[Come back tomorrow for part 2; groups 4-5]

“Why do you Watch?”
Nick Holden 5/03

I’ve often asked that question too,
I’m not ashamed, I must tell you.
Watching each night from my perfect view,
Weeks I worked without one rescue.

Wondering why I came this way,
Maybe to help someone someday.
Month after month, though here I stay,
Watching the waters, day by day.

Then I watched a ship draw near,
Moving closer to the shore I fear.
I signaled my light, “Port, port now steer!”
Praise God, I watched her sail clear.

Why watch each night from my perfect view,
I’m not ashamed, I must tell you.
Though I’ve only helped save a few,
I’ll never, never forget my first rescue.

If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; [12] If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not He that pondereth the heart consider it? and He that keepeth thy soul, doth not He know it? and shall not He render to every man according to his works? (Proverbs 24:11-12)

Who is this New Man?

By Nick Holden (2 Cor. 5:9-21)

Delivered from the snare of pride and his own crime,
Freed from the guilt of his past sins for all time.
Now redeemed by the life blood of his New Master,
A New Man he is with no fear of a future disaster.

Changed by the sacrifice of the sinless Lamb of God,
Longing to live and walk where angels trod.
Living in harmony with God and His kingdom plan,
A New Ministry of life brought to sinful man.

Desiring no longer to promote himself to the lost,
He abandoned his pride, weighing the cost.
A New Message he’s committed to love and live,
“Christ crucified” is a word he desires to give.

Overcome by the power of God to call on men,
To give their life to Jesus and come on in.
God’s power is his New Means of grace,
Pleading for God and running His race.

Being compelled by an amazing work of love,
Seeing God’s grace given from above.
Persuaded to abide by a New Motive and Mission,
Living a holy life so others would listen.

Who is this New Man with a true song to sing?
A disciple of Jesus, with his cross to cling.
Rescued he is, with power over sin and pride,
Walking with the faithful brethren by his side.

NOT?
This is why it is of the highest priority that we position ourselves to hear truth with a heart that deeply longs to obey what we hear. Have you ever told someone you wanted their help and needed their advice, yet the advice you were looking for was only affirmation of your actions and not the answer to your problem? Have you ever been asked to supply your input about a circumstance, yet you knew from the beginning that they would not act on what you shared?
We rarely want solutions in areas of our lives that we feel that we have figured out. What we normally do is seek affirmation from others to confirm our thoughts not confront us in life. How many times have we come before the Lord and said, “Just tell me Lord Your will and I’ll do it”? Yet we knew that we only wanted justification for what we were already doing. We have to come to the Lord as His subject not as His advisor or counselor. It is important for us, as His subjects, to come under His authority and the sound of His voice to listen with an expectation to conform to what we hear from Him. We can not approach the Lord as an advisor seeking to make Him conform to our desire. This is what prescription drug addicts do when they seek a doctor that they can manipulate into conforming to their advice. They go to a physician to get what they want, not subject themselves to his professional influence and instruction that they may be cured but to deepen their sickness.
Most people go to a doctor because they need his counsel. They are sick or have a problem that they can’t handle so they seek a doctor’s instruction, influence and involvement in their personal life. I haven’t been to a doctor in over eight years now. Why? To my knowledge I haven’t needed a doctor’s experience and influence. I haven’t been sick therefore I haven’t sought the instruction of, or the involvement of a doctor in my life. Jesus used the same analogy when teaching His disciples about the reason He came. “And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32).
Don’t miss this point. If you fail to grasp this principle you’ll let everything needful slip right out of your hands. (Pr. 17:16) The religious establishment in Jesus day missed it. They complained about the fact that He called sinners and tax collectors to follow Him. Jesus responded to the Pharisees by manifesting to them that these people know that they are sin sick. Jesus knew that His Father had supernaturally revealed to these sin sick souls that He could cure them and therefore He invited them to follow Him. They, through divine help, followed Jesus in order to come under His influence and instruction. They needed and sought after His involvement in their life.
If anyone follows Christ it is because they want to know what He knows. They subject themselves under His influence to hear His instruction because they want to follow the Great Physician’s orders. He has the answer to their sickness, and the very well-being they so desperately need. “And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9). The word obey means to come under to listen to His instruction with every intent to conform to His ways. They live to follow the One who has the greatest influence over their life, Jesus. Why do they subject themselves to Him? They have been persuaded that He is their life and livelihood.
On the other hand we see from other passages that the opposite is the reality for those who are not persuaded. They, not being persuaded that Jesus is their life source, can’t be characteristically described as being obedient. This very same group will be dealt with when Jesus returns to bring vengeance on those who do not know His Father and have not been persuaded by the gospel to obey Jesus. “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power” (2 Thes. 1:8-9). It is quite clear that those who do not live to follow the influence and instruction of the Lord are lost and perishing in their sin.
Have you personally answered the call of God to follow His Son? Sin sick people seek a Doctor for His advice and not to advise Him. How about you? What truth are you obeying?

This is an excerpt from my newly released book Magnify The Lord: Ten Reasons to Discover, Declare, and Defend why Christ Came, (Xulon Press ; ISBN 9781602669314).

*The Mountain
By Stephanie Holden

Oh how I long for our trips to the Mountain
Where we fellowship sweet with our Lord.
On this mountain we linger. We take our time
And drink from the depths of His Word.

It’s here where He teaches the deep things of God.
In His Word we find such delight
The abundance of goodness fills our souls to the depths
And His glory is brought into sight.

Oh that we could stay here forever
As He strengthens our battle worn frames
Each truth He reveals, Each promise He imputes,
Equips for the tasks He has paved.

As He sings over us as we rest in His shadow
We find perfect refuge and peace.
We’re renewed. We’re restored. We have all that we need.
In Him we are complete.

Oh how we want to stay on this Mountain forever
And never depart from His feet.
Then gently He reminds us the reason He fed us
His riches and precepts so sweet.

It’s to go down in the valley where the lost souls are
Who have yet to hear His great pardon.
Beautiful are the feet who bring the Good News
And the time is now before their hearts harden.

There are saints too who are down from the enemies blows
Who need reminding of their Strong Tower
To lead them to the Mountain we so love and desire
So they too can be strengthened in power.

So down we come from the Mountain we love
And oh how we savor each moment passing.
Into the world we go as our Savior instructed,
Armed with truth and filled with passion.

Our trips to the Mountain sustains these old tents
That frame us as were just passing through.
We know why we’re here—to take up the cross
And at all cost share His Good News.

SEEK FIRST
The point is we should also be drawn out of our beds by our
heavenly Father each day. We ought to be delighted that the God of
heaven and earth is actively at work and awaiting our arrival. We
should be eternally grateful to Jesus that He has made it possible
for us to have an audience and the ear of God Almighty. We must be
humbled to know that our covenant-keeping God desires to reveal
the secrets of His covenant with us. It could only be the reality of our
sin and the manifestation of our flesh that would cause us to look for
ways to avoid the secret place of God. We must seek Him with all of
our hearts while He still may be found. Jesus, who is our example,
did just that.

"The Lord God hath given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: He wakeneth morning by morning, He wakeneth Mine ear to hear as the learned. The Lord God hath opened Mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back." (Is.50:4-6)

*Taken from Magnify the Lord: Ten Reasons to Discover, Declare, and Defend why Christ Came, chapter 1 (He's Come to Defer), pages 19 & 20.