Times are a changin'. Back in the day, a couple generations ago, church was religious and a common duty for many. Never a surprise, occasionally the song leader would have the women sing one part and the men sing another, and then they'd switch parts to "spice things up". Back in the day the dress was quite important. Everyone would wear the right clothes for the right meeting. More formal in the morning, and more casual at night services. Maybe since God was more likely to show up in the morning service perhaps, or He cared more about clothes then? The look of the building would need to be just right. Some candles around, maybe some greenery and gold here and there. Some stained glass and wood carvings and a pretty painting in the lobby. A common joke is that church was where people go to fall asleep. The look and feel was all just right for a solemn funeral! Fortunately, for the world's sake, God is up to something in these last days. No longer do we have to settle for such a small slice of God's whole worship pie.
Indeed, having beautiful buildings and nice clothes and reverent, quiet moments can all be valuable parts of an experience with God. But in these last days we need the whole kit and caboodle. If God wants more, we need to give it to him. If God's got more to give us, we need to take it. There's too much going wrong on this earth to settle for yesterday's stale cup of understanding. If we continue with the same half empty cup, the world's overflowing cup of muck will soon spoil our nice little cup. In fact, it already is. Statistically churches that stick to man-made traditions are shrinking, while the number of unchurched people are growing. But it's also true that the handful of churches seeking to return to the first century church, God-inspired traditions, (and throwing off all man-made traditions) are growing leaps and bounds! But it's no surprise that they should grow, there are few people who sleep through a Spirit led service, the person is either too angered or too blessed to sleep! Instead of having fewer services a week, many of these churches are meeting more times a week due to increased interest. When people are baptized in the Spirit or receive some miracle of healing or deliverance the word spreads to those outside the church as well. What better way to grow a church than through the miraculous? It works so much easier than luring people with food fellowships and cheesy drama productions (though there's a place for all that). Church is about God almighty, so if you want people to come to church, get them to come for God Almighty himself... not some other man-made benefit. If we can do it ourselves, then it's not God. Get someone to come so his sins may be forgiven, so he may be made whole in his body and mind and spirit. When people come to receive God and it happens, then and only then are we having church.
The real gritty question here is what, oh Lord, show us what does a true Spirit-led, perfectly healthy church look like in modern times. Most understand that you can have church in a field or in a basement or in a stadium, so it is not the structure that makes a good church, in fact you don't need a building at all except for convenience sake. The special drama programs and music in itself don't make a church... the world has all those things in abundance. There's plenty of good Hallmark channel TV programs and lots of talented musicians outside of the church. So those are irrelevant too when it comes to really defining the church service, so what is left? Maybe it's twelve step recovery programs and bread ministries? The world has those too! If we have a worn down old building full of bad singers and no big dramas or special community services and we're wearing dirty torn up clothes then what is left to call a church service? It's the one thing the world does not have, it is God himself. He has been strangely missing from some gatherings throughout the ages! But it wasn't a big deal because no one noticed...we had plenty of man-made activities to keep us occupied. We need a good harsh reminder of what it is like when God shows up.
Here's some activities that occurred in church services for a while after Jesus had risen and ascended to heaven. Christians cast out devils, they raised the dead, healed the sick, spoke in tongues, prophesied, did miraculous signs, and gave to the poor. They were instantly whisked away by Holy Spirit to various places to preach the gospel. They were brought up to heaven, saw angels and had visions of Jesus and prophetic dreams. Winds of the Holy Spirit came rushing through their midst. People fell prostrate, demons were cast out, people died in God's presence. There was giving of spiritual gifts by laying on of hands. Fire came down from heaven. Buildings where Christians were meeting were shaken by the Holy Spirit. There was dancing, singing in tongues and singing in their own language, raising hands, weeping, repenting, shouting for joy. Daily there was communion, prayer, gathering and sharing of all possessions. It sounds downright wild... and like something only God could do.
That's what we should strive for today. Many churches today are opposed to these type happenings, and fewer churches are actually hoping for them, and even fewer are experiencing these events regularly.
God let your church be as you designed. Send your Holy Fire!
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The Early Church Returneth?
Revival in Lakeland, Florida:
The underground church in China: