We’ve gotten used to the idea that the place to find Jesus is in a church.  While we would certainly hope that people would be able to find Him in our church meetings, the early church didn’t wait around for people to come and discover Jesus- they got up and went to where the people were and told them about the Messiah!  That, in a nutshell, is what the film “Awakening” is all about- modern day Jews who love Jesus, going out and telling the world around them about their Messiah.  But the film is much more than that- it’s a reminder to all of us that telling people about Jesus is much too important a task to just sit back on our sofas and hope that people will somehow find out about Him.

“Awakening” is a wonderfully shot and expertly produced DVD that drew me in the moment I pressed play; the cinematography is excellent and it was a real joy to watch.  The film feels current and totally up-to-date.  At first glance we might be tempted to think that street evangelism is too “old school” for the times we live in; “Awakening” is here to wake us up and change our minds about that!  It reminds us that street evangelism is as important and vital as it ever was.

In my opinion, this DVD would be great for youth groups.  It’s apparent that the founders of Jews for Jesus aren’t interested in resting on their past accomplishments; they want to pass the torch to the young.  Jews for Jesus wants to mentor the next generation of street ministers, and this DVD is a great way to spark that!

In “Awakening”, street teams go to the streets of New York and share Messiah.  We get to see how they share their faith; watch them interact with each other behind the scenes; read the good and bad Twitter reactions to their witnessing; and take in the fun and joy of sharing Jesus as well as the hard work and commitment involved.

One scene in particular brought me back to my own early days of street ministry…

As the Jews for Jesus street team heads into the East Village (where, according to the film, “New Agers and Hipsters are found”) I was reminded of the many times I’ve visited New Age sections of bookstores to share my faith with anyone willing to listen.  Having been saved out of the “New Age” belief system I’ve always felt compelled to reach out to others entangled in it.  This is exactly the point of “Awakening” – reaching people where they’re at; going out to meet them on their ground.

As a young believer I was blessed to belong to a church in Clearwater, FL who vitally shared it’s faith.  Many of us made a regular practice of heading to the beach to share Jesus with the kids who would cruise Gulfview Blvd. on the weekends.  I often handed out tracts to start a conversation and would share Jesus with whoever came across my path- often receiving the same indifferent reactions and rejection seen in the DVD “Awakening”.  Times of rejection are soon forgotten, however, after meeting someone with genuine interest.  I’d often pray with those I met, and kept a calendar to record the names of those who prayed along with me and wanted to give their life to Jesus.  In those days I would witness practically anywhere I was- in the mall, on the street, waiting for my tires to be changed -you name it- everywhere was a field white for harvest.  Watching “Awakening” made me wonder why I’m not more like that now!  It also reminded me of the positive qualities that are found in youth- the passion, zeal, fire, life and love for the Lord that young believers often possess is something that we could all use more of; it’s also something the Lord can use for His glory.

“Awakening” shows the fun side of sharing Jesus right along with the difficult aspects one is likely to experience.  It’s a warm, joyful, heartfelt film about taking Jesus beyond our four walls and meeting people where they live.

“Awakening” marries the modern with the timeless.  It reminds us that face to face evangelism is still vitally important and fresh.  It’s a film for Jews and Gentiles- for anyone, really, who loves Jesus and wants to tell the world about Him. I highly recommend it!

“Awakening” is available on DVD and is directed by Herb & Amy Kossover and narrated by actor Stephen Baldwin.  DVDs are modestly priced at $10.

For more about the film, or to order a copy: http://blog.jforj.com/awakening

To visit them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/awakeningjfj

My wife and I heard strange sounds in the sky on Jan. 31st 2012.  We had no idea at the time that other people around the world had also been hearing these strange sky noises.  You can read about what we experienced and listen to the sounds we heard in my previous post, “I heard strange sounds in the sky.”  As I continue to research the phenomena to try to learn the cause of the eerie sounds I’ve come across another phenomena- wild speculation that these sounds are signs of the end of the world; sounds of the apocalypse; the trumpet sounds of the book of Revelation blowing doom around the world, and things such as that.  Some have called them “sounds from hell”.  Others have tied them to the Mayan Calendar and believe they are further evidence the world will end in 2012.  Still others see them as evidence of earth changes signaling coming earthquakes or possibly magnetic shifts involving the earth’s core and increased solar activity.  Since the sounds are yet unexplained we cannot stop all speculation.  One thing we can do is find out what the bible has to say about some of these things.

Metallic trumpet sounds in the sky

When my wife and I began checking out other YouTube videos we immediately noticed how many of them resembled what we heard in Fish Creek, WI on January 31st.  We heard the unusual sounds for around an hour and much of what we heard reminded us of what is now known as the “Kiev video”.  Other aspects of what we heard reminded us of giant machinery working, metal rubbing against metal with strange resonance, and in the example we recorded somewhat of a rushing sound and freight train-like metallic sounds.  Many people have said that to them these metallic sounds remind them of a trumpet.  (To be honest, I have yet to hear any examples that I personally think sound like a trumpet.) Nevertheless, many are making that connection, and out of that connection has grown the very popular idea that these are the very trumpets mentioned in Revelation blowing doom and destruction on the world.  This, of course, is making a lot of people very afraid.  Putting aside for a moment whether these strange sounds actually sound like a trumpet, let’s assume that they do and see what the bible has to say.

Revelation 8 and the Trumpets

Much of the wild speculation surrounding these trumpet sounds can easily be put to rest if we simply read what the bible has to say rather than guess about it!

In the beginning of Revelation 8 we are told, ”And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.”  (Rev 8:2)

Please take note that these things are taking place in heaven, not on the earth.  Although the effects will be felt on earth there is no indication whatsoever that the trumpet sounds are actually heard on earth.  Right now, at this exact moment, there is continual worship going up before God in the heavenly places.  There are sights and sounds happening right now that we have no experience of on earth.

”Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”  -Rev 4:8

In the same way, the seven angels who are given the seven trumpets to sound are in heaven, and blow them in heaven.  There is nothing at all written to indicate that these trumpet blasts are heard on earth (except possibly one trumpet blast which we will look at in a minute.)

It is highly unlikely, therefore, that we are hearing actual angelic trumpet blasts here on earth.

The Seven Angels prepare to blow their trumpets

What’s even more important is what the bible says will happen when these trumpets sound.  There are actual events that will happen when the seven angels blow their trumpets and those events will be experienced on earth, so that’s what we need to be looking at to see if these strange sounds are really the trumpets in Revelation.

Let’s look at what will happen when the first angel blows his trumpet:

“The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.” –Rev 8:7

If that is not what is happening then it is not these trumpets in Revelation that we are hearing, because the bible is very specific about what will happen on earth when the trumpets sound.

Look at what happens when the second trumpet sounds:

“The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.”

These events have also not happened.

Remember, for each of the trumpets very specific things happen on the earth, so we can tell very easily whether or not we are hearing the trumpets mentioned in Revelation 8.

To make things easier for you I’ve created a post where you can read chapters 8-11 of Revelation if you’re interested.

The Seventh Trumpet

There is a trumpet that the Word of God hints that we may be able to hear when it sounds- the seventh trumpet.  The reason I say that is because it will also be accompanied by a sign that will appear in the sky- so the world will be given a visual, and it appears, audible sign of the return of Christ.

“At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.  And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” –Matthew 24:30-31

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” -1 Thessalonians 4:16

“… in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” -1 Corinthians 15:52 (NIV)

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.” -Revelation 11:15

Conclusions

Notice that in all the examples of the trumpets sounding in Revelation 8, and in the examples above, very specific things happen when the angels sound their trumpets.  Also, there is absolutely no mention of a bunch of random sounds heard in the skies around the world- The bible mentions seven very specific trumpets, not hundreds of sounds!

Biblical Warnings

The Word of God warns us about ”lying signs and wonders” so it’s important not to believe or follow blindly everything you see and hear- even those things which might seem miraculous and supernatural!

Consider these warnings given in the bible:

Matt 16:3-4 “…You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but cannot interpret the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.”

2Thess 2:9  “For at the coming of the Lord there will be great activity on the part of Satan, in the form of all kinds of deceptive miracles, signs, and marvels, as well as of wicked attempts to delude.”

Matt 24:24 “For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect–if that were possible.”

Rev 13:11-15  “Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.

Final Conclusion

We need to be VERY careful about rushing to conclusions when we experience phenomena like the strange sounds so many have heard.  Even though I’ve heard them myself I do not conclude that they are signs from God or trumpet blasts from Revelation.

It’s important that we use the bible to test things like this rather than just speculate about them.

We need to be especially careful when confronted by strange phenomena because the bible warns us that there will come false signs and lying wonders that are meant to deceive us, and if we’re not careful, we’ll be taken in by them and come under the delusion of the evil one.  That fact that something is out of the ordinary does not, of course, make it a “lying wonder” or “false sign”- it may merely be unexplained; but when people begin reading into the unexplainable and attributing those things to the bible and the end of the world, it’s time to take out the bible to see what it actually says!

Are the strange sounds in the sky being posted to YouTube the trumpets from Revelation?  Here’s what the bible says.  Judge for yourself:

Revelation 8

¹ And when he opened the seventh seal, there followed a silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

² And I saw the seven angels that stand before God; and there were given unto them seven trumpets.

³ And another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should add it unto the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

⁴ And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand.

⁵ And the angel taketh the censer; and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and cast it upon the earth: and there followed thunders, and voices, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

⁶ And the seven angels that had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

⁷ And the first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of the earth was burnt up, and the third part of the trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

⁸ And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;

⁹ and there died the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, even they that had life; and the third part of the ships was destroyed.

¹⁰ And the third angel sounded, and there fell from heaven a great star, burning as a torch, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of the waters;

¹¹ and the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

¹² And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; that the third part of them should be darkened, and the day should not shine for the third part of it, and the night in like manner.

¹³ And I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a great voice, Woe, woe, woe, for them that dwell on the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, who are yet to sound.

Revelation 9

¹ And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth: and there was given to him the key of the pit of the abyss.

² And he opened the pit of the abyss; and there went up a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

³ And out of the smoke came forth locusts upon the earth; and power was given them, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

⁴ And it was said unto them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only such men as have not the seal of God on their foreheads.

⁵ And it was given them that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when it striketh a man.

⁶ And in those days men shall seek death, and shall in no wise find it; and they shall desire to die, and death fleeth from them.

⁷ And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared for war; and upon their heads as it were crowns like unto gold, and their faces were as men’s faces.

⁸ And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as teeth of lions.

⁹ And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to war.

¹⁰ And they have tails like unto scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men five months.

¹¹ They have over them as king the angel of the abyss: his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek tongue he hath the name Apollyon.

¹² The first Woe is past: behold, there come yet two Woes hereafter.

¹³ And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God,

¹⁴ one saying to the sixth angel that had one trumpet, Loose the four angels that are bound at the great river Euphrates.

¹⁵ And the four angels were loosed, that had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, that they should kill the third part of men.

¹⁶ And the number of the armies of the horsemen was twice ten thousand times ten thousand: I heard the number of them.

¹⁷ And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates as of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone: and the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceedeth fire and smoke and brimstone.

¹⁸ By these three plagues was the third part of men killed, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone, which proceeded out of their mouths.

¹⁹ For the power of the horses is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails are like unto serpents, and have heads; and with them they hurt.

²⁰ And the rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk:

Revelation 10

¹ And I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, arrayed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire;

² and he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left upon the earth;

³ and he cried with a great voice, as a lion roareth: and when he cried, the seven thunders uttered their voices.

⁴ And when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying, Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.

⁵ And the angel that I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his right hand to heaven,

⁶ and sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created the heaven and the things that are therein, and the earth and the things that are therein, and the sea and the things that are therein, that there shall be delay no longer:

⁷ but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then is finished they mystery of God, according to the good tidings which he declared to his servants the prophets.

⁸ And the voice which I heard from heaven, I heard it again speaking with me, and saying, Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel that standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.

⁹ And I went unto the angel, saying unto him that he should give me the little book. And he saith unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but in thy mouth it shall be sweet as honey.

¹⁰ And I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and when I had eaten it, my belly was made bitter.

¹¹ And they say unto me, Thou must prophesy again over many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.

• Revelation 11

  ¹ And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and one said, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

  ² And the court which is without the temple leave without, and measure it not; for it hath been given unto the nations: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

  ³ And I will give unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

  ⁴ These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks, standing before the Lord of the earth.

  ⁵ And if any man desireth to hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth and devoureth their enemies; and if any man shall desire to hurt them, in this manner must he be killed.

  ⁶ These have the power to shut the heaven, that it rain not during the days of their prophecy: and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they shall desire.

  ⁷ And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that cometh up out of the abyss shall make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them.

  ⁸ And their dead bodies lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.

  ⁹ And from among the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations do men look upon their dead bodies three days and a half, and suffer not their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb.

  ¹⁰ And they that dwell on the earth rejoice over them, and make merry; and they shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwell on the earth.

  ¹¹ And after the three days and a half the breath of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them that beheld them.

  ¹² And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they went up into heaven in the cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

  ¹³ And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell; and there were killed in the earthquake seven thousand persons: and the rest were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

  ¹⁴ The second Woe is past: behold, the third Woe cometh quickly.

  ¹⁵ And the seventh angel sounded; and there followed great voices in heaven, and they said, The kingdom of the world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ: and he shall reign for ever and ever.

  ¹⁶ And the four and twenty elders, who sit before God on their thrones, fell upon their faces and worshipped God,

  ¹⁷ saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who art and who wast; because thou hast taken thy great power, and didst reign.

  ¹⁸ And the nations were wroth, and thy wrath came, and the time of the dead to be judged, and the time to give their reward to thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to them that fear thy name, the small and the great; and to destroy them that destroy the earth.

  ¹⁹ And there was opened the temple of God that is in heaven; and there was seen in his temple the ark of his covenant; and there followed lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and an earthquake, and great hail.

Until very recently I was unaware of the strange sounds people have been hearing in the sky all over the world and posting to YouTube.  If I had come across these videos on YouTube I probably would have said, “Yeah right!  This is fake!”  But that was before the early morning of Jan. 31st when at 4AM I woke up to the sound of some VERY strange noises coming from outside that could only be described as creepy- like some soundtrack from an alien movie or horror flick!

My wife and I were up in Door County at the time, one of our favorite winter vacation spots staying in a tiny little town called Fish Creek.  Our hotel was right outside Peninsula State Park and our room balcony faced the park.  We’d been coming to this place for the last 10 years and one thing about Fish Creek is that it’s very quiet- especially in the winter.  That’s why we go there; we like to get away from it all, and it’s the perfect place to do that.  It’s not the kind of place where you expect to hear much of anything, and definitely not what I was hearing!

It sounded like super giant machinery in the sky and had an eerie ”metallic” sound that faded in and out.  Like some spooky movie soundtrack!  It was massive in the sense of being expansive and seemed to fill the air, as if whatever was causing it stretched from east to west.  I had literally never heard something like that coming from the outdoors in my life!  We made a video of it to capture the sound but the video really doesn’t do justice to what we heard in person…

It was strange enough for me to wake my wife up (and trust me, that’s not something I’m going to normally want to do in the middle of the night!).  We laid in bed listening and thinking, ”What in the world is THAT?”  We laid there rationalizing trying to come up with an explanation… maybe it’s a train, an ice breaking ship on the harbor… anything we could think of to try to explain it.  But there aren’t train tracks up there or big factories manufacturing anything.

I went out on our hotel balcony with our camcorder and recorded the sound so I could ask around the next morning and see if anyone knew what it was.

When we got up that morning we went to the harbor- it wasn’t an ice breaking ship- the harbor was frozen solid.

When we got home I quickly got up to speed on the phenomena of “strange sounds in the sky”.  As I begin to Google I found that people all over the world have been hearing these weird sounds and posting them to YouTube.  When I watched the videos many of them had sounds that were exactly like what we heard!

First of all, I have no idea what these sounds are- it’s a really strange phenomena. Second, many of the videos on YouTube are a hoax in my opinion because it’s obvious people have dubbed a sound from one video and copied it to make their own video.  For example, in many of them you can hear the same bird in the background- but one time he’s in Chicago; next time he’s in another country; and the next time he’s actually in a car with the windows closed!  Pretty obvious fakes.

But here’s the thing- we heard it ourselves and so I know for a fact that what people are hearing is real.  It’s also amazing to me how many of these people have posted sounds that are true to what we heard.

One thing that I also noticed is that a lot of people are getting really freaked out about it- even thinking that it’s a sign of the end of the world and stuff like that. A lot of people seem to think it could be angelic trumpets sounding as described in the book of Revelation.  I can understand that, BUT, for those of us who are Christians I think it’s important that we don’t get caught up in that kind of hysteria and go down that road.  Here’s why… As Christians we have the Word of God- and the Word of God is the final word of authority and final truth for us- not our speculations, experiences, or ideas. All we have to do is read what it says in Revelation about the trumpets, and what happens when the angels blow them, to know that these strange sounds heard in the sky are not angelic trumpet blasts!

Nothing like what the bible describes is happening- and if the trumpet blasts of Revelation were being fulfilled we would see chaos, death and destruction such as the world has never known!  Read Revelation 8:6-11:19.  We are not experiencing the gravity of things the earth will experience when the angels sound their trumpet blasts.  For me that is the end of story as far as these strange sky sounds being angelic trumpets.

I can offer no explanation what the strange sounds people are hearing are- other than to say that they ARE real (we heard them ourselves) and that they are NOT the trumpet blasts of Revelation.

If you’re looking for an excellent free Christian eBook for your Kindle you should check out Project Gutenberg where you can download a number of free eBooks by Andrew Murray.  I downloaded ”Jesus Himself” and highly recommend it!

”Jesus Himself” could be better called a chapter than a book, but what an excellent word it is!  Murray reminds us that it’s actually Jesus Himself that we are to be wrapped up in and in fellowship with; he reminds us that our Christian life is really to be all about Jesus, and that close communion with Jesus absolutely changes everything about our life.  This little eBook chapter is a gem and will be one that I’ll be reading again and again.

”Jesus Himself” at Project Gutenberg.

Here’s the review:

”As I listened to these simple words, I realized that I say thank you so many times each day, and do I say it to Jesus that much? No, sadly no. It’s really nice when I hear a song for the first time and it opens my eyes and my heart.”

Amazing Grace may be one of the most iconic Christian songs ever written; Christian and non-Christian alike have heard it sung so many times that we’ve almost become numb to the real meaning of the song.  When I wrote my version I had no intention of sitting down and writing a new version of “Amazing Grace”.  I had no goal in mind other than expressing to God what was in my heart at the time- that His grace is so WONDERFUL, and so AMAZING!  The original words to Amazing Grace came to my mind at the time, but a new melody to express those words came out of my mouth!  It was just me, Jesus and my guitar when it happened; and so I decided to record it just like that- as simply as it came to me.

I was so happy that my first reviewer of the song “got it.”  They heard in the song what I felt when I wrote it- God’s grace is amazing and when we truly grasp that, thanks to Him will flow from our heart and lips.

I’ve spent most of my life being amazed by Jesus- I have no clue why He would love me as He does.  I certainly don’t deserve it, and yet, His tenderness, gentleness, and love are always there for me even when I’m at my worst.

I hope my song helps you to really hear the words that John Newton wrote so long ago when he penned Amazing Grace.  I hope by the time you’re done listening to the song you’re also “giving thanks to God” saying “Yes!!! Thank you Jesus, You are AMAZING!”

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” – Colossians 3:16

The year was 1984 and I had just become a born again Christian.  I remember the popular saying at the time- “Christians can have fun too!”  But even though I had just turned 24 it wasn’t a “Let’s have fun with Jesus” gospel that saved me.  It wasn’t a certain style of Christian music that moved me; it wasn’t a new cultural church vibe that drew me- All it took was the Holy Spirit showing me I needed Jesus.

The path to Jesus is not found in this world, and it doesn’t need this world’s culture to validate it.  The church in it’s preoccupation with being “relevant” has bought into a lie- People do not come to Jesus because we have dressed Him up to look appealing, or to be cool, fun or current.  There has only ever been one way to enter into LIFE, and it has nothing to do with being like the world.

Only the Spirit of God is able to open blind eyes and move hard hearts; only the Holy Spirit can draw people to Christ- everything else is smoke and mirrors.  Salvation is the Father’s work, not ours: This is true for every generation; it’s true for every age group; it holds true for every people group and culture. 

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him…”  (John 6.44)

I can almost hear the deafening reaction, “Yes, but, we need to be relevant; the church is no longer relevant!”

To that I say: The reason we are not relevant is because we are not focused on the eternal. 

God’s Word is always relevant because it never passes away like the world’s fads do.

When we seek to be like the world we cease to be truly relevant.  The church exists to reveal heaven, to point to Jesus and eternity, and when we fail to do that we make ourselves utterly irrelevant.

The heavenly call

The call of His Spirit is not an earthly call, but a heavenly one.  In Revelation, chapters 2-3, does God tell the churches to do their best to be like the surrounding culture?  Does he tell Christians to makes themselves attractive and appealing to the world by being just like the culture they live in?  No, He calls them to repent and return; He calls them back to Himself and refocuses their eyes on eternity.

So many in the church are worried how they will reach future generations- I’m worried for future generations if this generation fails to stand for God’s truth.  Paul, the Apostle, laid down his life to defend the faith so that all who came after him would be able to have the purity and truth of the gospel.

Many today appear more interested in having a dialogue or conversation about what the truth is, than being messengers of the Lord.  A messenger represents the one who sent him- We are to carry heaven’s torch to light a dark world.  This will bring us into sharp contrast with the culture around us.  What does light have to do with darkness?  The absolutes of God’s Word will bring the church into sharp contrast with the relativism of the world.  This is how it should be!  When we try to blunt that effect we’re hurting, not helping the gospel.

The death of doctrine

Have you seen the proliferation of Christian blogs that call for change in the church that come with an obvious dislike of doctrine and dogma?  “We shouldn’t be so dogmatic, so absolute!”  But the Word of God tells me that the church is supposed to be “the pillar and foundation of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15)  If we won’t stand for absolutes, for truth, who will?  Jesus put the truth plainly:

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.  Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.  But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”  (John 3:19-21)

The reason people refuse Jesus is not because He’s irrelevant or antiquated- scripture says they reject Him because they love darkness and refuse to walk into the light.  What favor do we do the world by blunting this truth?  To a world drowning in relativism we need to hold out the absolutes of God’s Word.  Who will stand and say, “Thus saith the Lord”?

A distaste for “preaching”

Why is it that those calling for change in the church often seem apologetic about the church?  Preaching has always been a staple of the church but it doesn’t fit well with our culture.  We’ve grabbed a hold of the world’s buzzwords and want everyone to “join the conversation”- preaching gets in the way of that we’re told, so preaching is now ”bad” and conversations and discussions are “good” according to the culturally responsive Christian.  Some are downright apologetic that a person would have to actually endure preaching!

Should we apologize for “preaching”?  And who forgot to tell George Whitefield?

The church would be blessed to have 10,000 George Whitefield’s to herald the gospel.  The guy preached to 20,000 people in open air meetings without a microphone!  (The year was 1742!)  Any account of Whitefield I’ve ever read describes the man as quite direct and dramatic.  Have you ever read the sermons he preached?  He preached absolutes and made declarations, and oh, how God used him!

The point of preaching is not only instructive, but declarative.  I think many Christians are afraid of that today.  We’re afraid to say, “Thus saith the Lord”.  Whitefield wasn’t having a dialogue or discussion!  Nor was Stephen in the book of Acts, when he preached with such fire and truth that they stoned him to death!  His message made his listeners so furious that the bible says they “gnashed their teeth at him”.  He suddenly became very unpopular for telling the truth, but the bible has this to say about Stephen…

“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.”  (Acts 7:55)

We should not expect to see the glory of God if we refuse to stand up for the truth of God.

There’s a place for conversation and a place for proclamation.  Where are the Elijah’s of God? Where are the men of Acts like Stephen, or Paul, or Peter?  Where are the messengers of God who when they speak, speak as one who speaks the very oracles of God?  (1 Peter 4:11)

You see, it’s not an “emergent church” that we need… comfortable with the surrounding culture, and the culture quite comfortable with it.  We need to be crying out in this wilderness, “Prepare the way of the Lord!”  (Isaiah 40:3-5)

A voice of one calling:
       “In the desert prepare
       the way for the LORD;
       make straight in the wilderness
       a highway for our God.

 Every valley shall be raised up,
       every mountain and hill made low;
       the rough ground shall become level,
       the rugged places a plain.

 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,
       and all mankind together will see it.
       For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

Yes, these words mark the first appearing of our Lord; but the message holds true- Jesus is coming back!  And not to have a cup of coffee!  The time is short- How dare we embrace this world instead of warning it!  It’s time to repent and return:

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.  The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.  (2 Peter 3:8-10)

Does this sound like a good time to be cozy with the culture around us?  

“Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding…”  (Jeremiah 3:22)

I’ve noticed a growing trend among many in the church (especially evident on Christian blogs) regarding “preaching”.  It seems that “conversations” are all the rage now, and preaching is out!  We’re called to “join the conversation”, but who wants to sit and listen to the preacher?  Is there still a place for preaching in the church?   

I find it strange that people would question the idea of preaching, as if to say it was useless or even unbiblical.  Aren’t we commanded in scripture to “preach the Word”?  (2 Timothy 4.2).

I’ve always understood that the meaning here is one of making a proclamation; that we are to be heralds for Christ.  When I think of a herald, I think of someone who declares a message.  That implies a monologue, not a dialogue.  Questions and discussions may follow, but first a message is declared.  In fact, I remember reading Wuest’s Greek translation many years ago concerning this subject, and here it is:

“Make a public proclamation of the Word with such formality, gravity, and authority as must be heeded…”  (2 Timothy 4.2)

That sounds like preaching to me!  As I continue in the passage, I can see how preaching would lead to discussion and further exhortation. (Which I’m all for, by the way.)  I guess my point is, why throw the baby out with the bathwater?  Preaching and discussion are both biblical, and both are needed in the church.

I believe the present “anti preaching” bias that is present in so many who are questioning the traditional church structure is simply a reaction to not having been allowed any type of discussion in our gatherings.  As is so often the case, the pendulum then swings to the far extreme and we end up having the opposite problem!  I see the same thing happening regarding “leadership” in the church.  (See my post, “Leaderless Church“.)  Christians who have felt that they were oppressed by leaders, leave the traditional churches and opt for a leaderless church.  This type of reaction will never produce the right results; we simply exchange one lopsided form with another.

One reason given for not liking preaching-  “I can’t remember a single sermon I’ve ever heard.”  Really?  Is there so little impact from the preaching of God’s Word?  God has many tools at his disposal, and one of the best is preaching.  Under inspiration of the Holy Spirit I’ve been arrested by preaching throughout my entire life as a Christian!  Preaching that came from a pulpit, a car radio, a book, a song, or a friend… I’ve been challenged and changed by preaching.

For the record, I love discussion as well.  I think it’s invaluable, but I’m not buying into the anti preaching sentiment that seems so prevalent today.

I can’t help but notice something that I think speaks volumes about the heart of God.  As I read about the lukewarm church in Laodicea it’s hard not to see just what a wretched condition it’s in.  In fact, to this particular church God has nothing good to say!  He brings only rebuke.

But here’s the totally awesome thing… God’s rebuke is the proof of His love!  He still loves them!

“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent!”  (Revelation 3:19)

God’s not just giving up!  Here’s a church He has no praise for at all, only rebuke, yet even for that church, in that condition, He holds out His heart of mercy!  What a great picture of His longsuffering and love!

When we think of the church in Laodicea one of the first things that comes to mind is the words Jesus uttered about Him being ready to spit them out of His mouth.  I don’t want to soften that.  The warning is clear, it comes from Jesus, and we can be sure that He means it.  But why does He say it?  Because He loves us!  Because He wants us to repent; because He’d rather show mercy than judgment.  Look at the heart of God!

It sounds a lot like the awesome love God has for you and me as individuals, doesn’t it?  While I was yet a sinner Christ died for me!  Do we understand the love God has for His church?  That even if we’re in the most wretched condition He’s holding out His hand to us still?

Unless we come with this heart for His Church we’re not really coming with the heart of God.

When most people think about Jesus the first thing that comes to mind is “Church”.  Maybe you’ve done it all before, and don’t want anything to do with it.  I actually understand that and have felt the same way, but please read a little further, because my perspective is a little different than what you might be used to when you think about “church”.

First, I want to know what the bible says about church; I want to see the church through God’s eyes.  It might surprise you but the bible never talks about church being a building where people meet to have a “religious service”.  Many of today’s concepts of the church are not found in the bible!

Most people think of church as a building you go to, or something you do.  Nothing could be further from the truth. The meaning of church is actually, “the called out ones”.  The church isn’t a building; it actually refers to the people called out by God, to leave the world’s ideas, ways, and practices, to be followers of Jesus.

So it all comes down to relationship; having a relationship with Jesus based on what He has said about Himself, and a relationship with each other as “the body of Christ”, which is the church, the “called out ones”.

The truth is, the church as “the called out ones” is God’s idea.  It expresses God’s intention for us to belong to Him and each other.  Therefore, instead of thinking of it as a building, think of church as the people who are “called out by God”.  These people gather at homes, storefronts, church buildings, or even large settings like stadiums.  The true church is the people- not the building or denominational name.  You become part of the church by being “born from above“.

The church getting together

Though the bible doesn’t talk about church buildings or denominations, it does talk about Christians gathering together.  One reason for this is actually quite obvious: When a person is “born from above” they become “a child of God” and a part of a great big family along with the rest of God’s children!  What loving family doesn’t enjoy getting together?  The church isn’t a “religious business” God started; we’re His family!  No one has to tell me to go see my Mom, or call my sister, or force me to come to a family meal.  I do it because I love my family and want to spend time with them.  It’s the same with the church.

Some of the other reasons Christians gather is to encourage one another, learn more about God from the bible, and especially to worship Jesus.  (Jesus said that whenever two or more would gather in His name He’d be there among them, so there’s something very special about getting together with other Christians.)  This doesn’t have to be “churchy” at all!

Presently, my wife and I meet with other Christians who gather in a living room.  We have a small group of people who love Jesus and want to live for Him and know Him better.  The whole thing is very simple and non-religious; not at all what most people think of when they think of “church”!

On the other hand, I’ve been a part of groups that number in the thousands.  These have been much more in the vain of what people think of as “traditional” churches.  Do you think that these “churches”  might seem more”religious”?  I can see why people might think that, but I didn’t let that stop me from being a part of these groups.  Why?  Because I look for groups who are alive with a desire to know and live for Jesus and His truth, and I go where I can find that.  I let God lead me, I use His discernment, and because of that I have been a part of many wonderful “traditional” churches as I’ve traveled over the years.

The church that meets at Steve’s house!

It sounds very unofficial doesn’t it?  Yet, that’s the sort of thing you see when you read the bible’s accounts of the church!  Can it really be that simple?  Yes, it can!

I personally love the simple groups that meet in homes because I believe they best represent how the early church met.  Without going into detail here, they allow for the intimacy, simplicity and personal spiritual growth that larger settings often do not.  Home groups tend to lean towards everyone having an active role during the gathering, (compared to the Pastor doing most things in a traditional church gathering).  I believe this participation is one of the most crucial aspects to spiritual growth.  It is an aspect that most traditional churches almost completely lack with their structure, but is clearly talked about in God’s Word:

“What then shall we say, brothers?  When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation.  All of these things must be done for the strengthening of the church.”  (1 Corinthians 14.26)

For these reasons, and more, my wife and I are presently meeting with other Christians in a home.  However, I have to say that meeting in a home is not the end all and be all… loving and following Jesus is.  The truth is, it may be very hard for you to find a home group even if you want to!  There is a return to these groups happening among Christians, but they are few in number compared to the regular traditional churches.  (Not only that, but just because a group meets in simplicity at home doesn’t mean it’s necessarily good!)  Home groups can be in error and teach false doctrine, just as traditional churches can.  In fact, I have had a few close friends find out the hard way that just because it’s a “home church” doesn’t mean it’s a good church!  Be forewarned!

Asking God to lead you

As I said earlier, I try to go where God leads me, and I test it by His Word.  I do not see the church as being a denomination, a building, or a manmade organization.  Since I know the church is “God’s called-out people”, I look for people who are walking in truth and loving Him, be it a home or “traditional” setting.

Don’t be alone

One thing that I don’t want to do is sit home alone.  Remember, the bible teaches that gathering together is important because our spiritual life is part of a whole.  I am just one small part of a larger body called the Ekklesia, “the church”.  I need the other parts of the body, just as they need me.  (What good is an eye disconnected from the body?  Or a foot, without a leg?)  That’s how God looks at us- we are part of a much larger whole, (the Body of Christ), with Jesus being the head.

To wrap this up about the church… it’s not something you go to if you’re a Christian, it’s something you are!  Remember, the church is Christ’s body; don’t try to be a hand, or foot, out there all by yourself, it won’t work!  Find Christians that you can gather together with and be part of the whole.