What’s going on in the Church House Today? By Minister Speed

A recent study by The Barna Group, a California-based Christian research organization, found that about 13 million Americans whom the researchers identified as being born again were "unchurched ... not having attended a Christian church service, other than for a holiday ... at any time in the past six months."

In Gospel of Matthew was Jesus first use of “church” in Scripture. Jesus stated “on this rock I will build my church?” "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it (Matthew 16:15-18).

When Jesus says He will build His church on this rock, He is referring to Himself, the rock.  Jesus Christ is the rock referenced throughout Scripture. When He makes this statement He is merely addressing Peter, Christ is not saying that He will build His church on Peter.  The “church” is spiritual; it cannot be built on a man.

The first problem is the church houses of today have been built upon the ideas and organizational skill of man.  If you look at most churches there is even a man’s name on the outside building.  The majority of church house are 501 C 3 Non-profit which means also that they are under the auspices of the Federal Government and not Jesus Christ. 

Click link below to See 501 C 3 church.....

 501 C 3 Controls the church

In looking at Holy Scripture the “Church” as presented in Scripture is, 

·  The body of Christ

·  All believers

·  All believers, Gentile and Jewish

·  All believers, of a town or city

·  All believers, of a fellowship

·  All believers, Old and New Testaments

·  All believers, male and female

·  The household of God

·  The Bride of Christ

2.    The church as presented in our culture is,

· That church building on the corner.

There are over tens upon tens of thousands of church houses in my town which has a population of 1,445,806.

· That Christian denomination.

Barna, cited a figure of 20,780 denominations in 1980 and projected that there would be as many as 22,190 by 1985.

Compare these two meanings for the church.

1.   The first is spiritual: made up exclusively of true believers in Jesus Christ, members and leaders. 

2. The second is secular: local, national and international organizations with unbelievers and believers, members and leaders.

 In an effort to make clear distinctions between the secular church and God's spiritual Church, I will differentiate my references to them by capitalizing Church, for the spiritual Body of Christ.

For example: There is still a remnant of the Church in the local Baptist church on Broadway.

The problem within the church house today

In my new book A Declaration To The Spiritual Soldier I identified several problems with the church house especially in America today. 

(Beginning of A Declaration to the Spiritual Soldier quote)

In the last 1900 years we have seen the church degrade into apathy and apostasy. Even through the reformation of old, there remain vestiges of carnal appendages which have stretched their tentacles into the modern day church causing a passive, placating, and politically correct spirit.  Many are deceived into thinking that being IN Christ is an automatic result of believing in Christ. 

There are two different principles on the path to Maturity in Jesus Christ. For example, in western society most will tell you they believe in Christ. They can tell you which church house they go to, quote certain scriptures, and even pay their tithes on time, but ask them God’s purpose for their lives, or what are they doing for God’s Kingdom, and they draw a blank. Ask them what it means to be IN Christ, and they will tell of believing on Christ.

To look for indicators in this lack of maturity, one could simply look at the dramatic decline of the church population in the past 30 years, or the staggering statistics regarding divorce amongst church going Christians in this day and age. There is also the active and practiced engagement of homosexual and sexual misconduct, including pornography, adultery, and fornication. These are but mere precursors to a host of debacles which the church suffers to persist in its Holy Sanctuary today. 

These ailments show a maladaptive behavior in the church of Jesus the Christ, not conducive to what Christ had in mind when He first built His Church.

At first glance, the church today appears to be at a zenith in purpose. In any city in America, on any street corner whether urban, rural, or a suburban location, you can usually see a building with a cross or some Christian insignia indicating a place of worship. But upon careful observation, this is where all continuity ends. The worship of Jesus Christ has taken on a circus like atmosphere. 

The main purpose is designed to not help bring about true conversion, but to say the right words to get the pews filled on a week to week basis. This equates to a consumer mentality.

The reason for this is clear. The world has changed and most pastors struggle to keep up with it. If they have a loyal following, they feel it necessary to teach according to the dictates of that crowd and not offend. If they don’t have a loyal following, then they understand the dynamics of trying to reach people who were raised without a God consciousness, people under 30 who don’t know God or the church at all. These pastors understand that we live in a pagan society meaning people don’t believe in Jesus, Jehovah, or the Holy Spirit. 

Ask any member of a church organization today why they go to church, and what they believe is the function of the church. You will receive just as many answers as the people you asked. There are those who look faithful, but only use the church as a social function. Many times these men and women are placed in leadership position because they are often times more than twice a week attendees.

Then there are the serious men and women who may not attend Church but once a week. They may be teaching Bible lessons at home or volunteering their time in services to the LORD in some other way as directed by the Holy Spirit. There are those who may not even attend traditional church service as you know it at all. I personally know hundreds of people who operate in this manner, and they are just as, if not more, successful in reaching out to the lost.

There is also the problem with scandals which have rocked the church leaders in the last 20 years. Because of the shifts and changes in the world, pastors, men and women, are not entering the ministry as before, and those who do, face a host of problems and issues that would make any CEO executive balk. Even so, it appears that the power of God is not as evident as a string of high profile divorces, and moral failing have weakened the public’s view of the church. 

There are many other factors of course which show the necessity for NewVival in the church today. There is of course the catastrophic decline of church members in the past from ministries which once flourished to now average traditional denominations being in crisis.

(End of A Declaration to the Spiritual Soldier Quote)

The first step in reversing this crisis is to listen to the call of Christ. His Word of grace calls us to obedience, to follow Him unconditionally with a faith-formed trust in His leadership. We trust the word spoken to His disciples before He ascended into heaven when He promised “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

It’s time to repent, get honest and take a look at the spiritual character that is lacking within us all and take a stand to allow God to move within us.

I have listed 3 principles which should propel us into a dynamic new area for Christ Church.

Growth

Hebrews 5:11-14 (NLT) "There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don't seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. 

Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong".

As believers, we are expected to grow like a child does. When you are young in your faith, God only expects for you to get the "milk"; there's more room to make mistakes because you're growing, learning, just like a child does. Verse 14 tells us that as we grow in life and in Christ, we have developed the "skills to recognize the difference between right and wrong" as a result of "maturing". 

If you can say that you've been a believer for x-amount of years and you're still making the same mistakes, you haven't grown as you should. Just imagine if my 13-year-old Son was still wearing diapers and eating jars of Gerber: wouldn't that seem strange? How much more, then, should we grow year to year in our walk with Christ? (1 Peter 2:2, 1 Corinthians 3:2-3 supports this)

Responsibility

In recent months, many Christian leaders have found themselves in hot water when the lives they lead behind closed doors suddenly were exposed to the public. From Eddie Long to Pastor Zachery Timms and many other leaders in the Body of Christ, this year has been a year of exposing -- that age old adage "what's done in the dark will always come to light" has reigned true for many in recent months. Some would argue that we are all imperfect, just fleshly beings that can't be regarded so highly that those who follow these leaders should fall and stumble because of their imperfections.   

I beg to differ!!!

The bible tells us that leaders in the church are held to a higher standard – 1st and 2nd Timothy both explore the expectations of church leaders (I Timothy 3:11) noting that their failure to be in right standing with God can have a greater impact beyond their own personal lives.

We have a responsibility to people. Yes, we are imperfect, but the charge to live upright even when you think no one is watching is clearly stated in the Word.

Ephesians 5:10-14 (NLT) says: Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible."

We have a responsibility not only to God, but to the people we lead. If for any reason we are found to be living a life of perpetual sin behind closed doors, we have the responsibility to shine light for the sake of repentance, not ridicule and judgment. 

In Revelation 3:19 (NLT), it reads, “I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference”.

The great and most important part about reproof and reprimand is that it should evoke a spirit of love and repentance to God and a sense of responsibility to the people to make things "right" with them. We (the body) are charged in James 5:19-20 to love people back into the fold (which would require us to acknowledge the wrong publicly, right?) and guide them back to their original standing in God.

We are even told to "confess ours sins to one another" so we may be able to address our issues and be made whole. How else do we do that lest we publicly confess them?

Obedience

At the same time, leaders (and yes, even us regular folk) are supposed to set themselves apart -- be different from the world -- in order to be used by God. No amount of talent, gifting, or anointing can replace the power of obedience and holiness.

In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. (2 Timothy 2:20-21)

What sin does is make it harder for us to be used by God. Had I never had a child out of wedlock, it would have been easier for me to navigate my purpose; certain hurdles I wouldn't have had to overcome had I been obedient to what I knew to be true. Thank God for grace, mercy, and second chances.

What does God want?

God is very concerned about winning souls -- and will win them at any cost. He will use the broken, beat up, and damaged to reach people to bring them into the kingdom. He will use singers, ministers, bishops, pastors, clerks; stay at home moms, firemen, bankers, anyone who is willing to use their life as a testimony to win souls.

 He is also excessively concerned about our personal lives and wants to see us do and be better. He expects for us to grow and change in Christ every day. He will always deal with our personal lives privately before allowing our sins to consume us and embarrass us publicly. 

Even then, He will use people to draw us back unto Him in order to get ourselves right and be more effective than we were before -- but we must be willing to grow, take responsibility, and be obedient to his direction. 

Selah

Christian Trials, Tribulations, & Suffering By Minister Speed

Some people think that, if you serve God faithfully, He will solve all your troubles. Preachers sometimes even promise that God will work miracles to eliminate your hardships or bring you financial security if you just give him money or serve him. As a result, some people try to serve God but turn their back on Him when they continue to have problems or things do not work out the way they planned.

With the exception of Jesus, probably no man ever had more trials and tribulations than Job. Within one day's time, this man lost all his wealth and possessions, and then all ten of his children were killed. Next he lost even his health as he became covered with boils from the top of his head to the soles of his feet. Finally, his wife turned against him and told him to "curse God and die."

But why did Job have so much in the form of trials and tribulations? Was he wicked and disobedient to God? In Job 1:8 God Himself said concerning Job: "...there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil." Job 1:22 says that, even after his troubles began, "in all this Job did not sin..."

Here was a just and faithful man, yet He suffered! Yes, the righteous do go through much suffering at time. Nowhere in the Bible has God promised to remove all your problems, neither by miracles nor by any other means. Acts 14:22 says "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.

Then what has God promised? Does He offer anything to help us endure life's hardships? Yes, He does! In fact, the strength to endure is the very thing He offers. In Philippians 4:13 Paul said: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

The Bible also shows that suffering, trials and tribulations actually accomplishes good in our lives. And the Word of God shows that we can have eternal life when this life is over if we done so faithfully (James 1:12).

You should serve God, not because He will remove your problems now, not because He will bring you money, property and prestige, but because He will help you endure them and then give you life in a land without problems after this life is over.

Study Scripture To see The End times By Minister Speed

We are in End Time Prophetic fulfillment of scriptures.  The sad part is most Christians have no idea of what the bible says nor do they have a desire to find out God’s truth.  The first question I shall ask is:

Do you know the definition of End Time prophecies?

The End Days is a reference to the Messianic Age, and includes an in-gathering of the exiled Jews, the coming of the Yeshua Hamaschia (The Messiah), the rebuilding of the Jewish temple, a time of tribulation that precedes the second coming of Christ, the  emergence of the Antichrist and ushering in of the Kingdom of God on earth.  These are all preceded by sign, cycles, and seasons found hidden within Holy Scriptures.

 The Day of the Lord

1 Thessalonians 5:1-6

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.

To True Christian Jesus’s return Will Not be Like A Thief In The Night

We Watch 

In the above verses we can see that Jesus states His rapture and return will be like a thief in the night.  The key to reading this verse is seeing that Jesus did not apply the thief in the night passage to Christians who are awakened to His Holy Spirit and are watching for end Time prophecy.  Look at verse 4 as Jesus says but you brothers and sisters are not in darkness so that this day will not surprise you like a thief.  In other words you will be able to see the signs, cycles, and seasons to know that while in the last days, His return has to be fulfilled by the very prophecies themselves.

In Numbers 23:19-20 we read, “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? 20 Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.”

    We Wait

You see brothers and sisters there are 2 things God cannot do.  God cannot Lie and neither can He Change His mind.  If He spoke it then it will come to pass.  Do not be fearful, do not worry about things beyond your control.  Trust in God and He will strengthen your heart.

God said to “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15).”  Through reading this scripture it is easy to see that a lack of knowledge does not meet God’s approval and with it will bring shame at his return.

In Matthew 25:1-30 we see the exact fulfillment of the servant who will face God’s dis approval and shame when He returns in His glory.  In verse: 13 it reads “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”  

He then goes on to give the analogy of three servants who He gave responsibilities while He was away.  This all has to do with what we are supposed to be doing in and for the kingdom of God in our lives today and How God will judge those works on His return.

It is a simple story that our Lord tells here. A man who is preparing to leave on a journey entrusts his possessions to his servants. He distributes his wealth among three servants, apportioned to them on the basis of their abilities. 

To the first he entrusted five talents, to the second two talents, and to the third one talent. The first two servants’ quickly set to work with their master’s money. 

The third servant did not invest his master’s money at all; he dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money. 

When the master returned, the first two eagerly met their master, apparently delighted in the opportunity to multiply their master’s money. Both were commended as “good and faithful servants”; both were rewarded with increased responsibilities in their master’s service; both were invited to share in their master’s joy.

The master’s dealing with the third servant is a very different matter. This servant came to his master with only the talent his master had originally entrusted to him. He did not increase his master’s money at all. In fact, if this were to take place today that money would likely be worth less, due to inflation. This servant offered a feeble excuse for his conduct. He was actually ashamed of his master.

He told his master that he was a harsh and cruel man, a man who was demanding, and who expected gain where he had not labored. He contended that this is why he was afraid to take a risk with any kind of investment. And so he simply hid the money, and now he returned it, without any gain. The master rebuked this slave for being evil and lazy. He took his talent from him, gave it to the one who earned ten, and cast this fellow into outer darkness, where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth.

We should carefully note the outcome of faithful service, and of unfaithful service, in this parable. Faithful service led to increased responsibilities in the kingdom of heaven, and eternal joy in the presence of the Master, Jesus Christ. Unfaithful service led to condemnation, the removal of one’s stewardship, and an eternity of weeping and gnashing of teeth in outer darkness, away from the presence of our Lord.  

If study and understanding of god’s word/will denotes approval from God, where do you realistically think you will stand when Yeshua returns for His bride the Church?

I would like to emphatically state that God is not a willing that any should perish 2 Peter 3:9.  His love for mankind is so powerful that He has held back Justice even with the killing of the innocent for millennium upon millennium.  His love is so powerful that he sent His only begotten Son so that we may have the chance to live again in peace with Him.  But the judgment has been set.  Accept God through Christ and live!!!

In Rev. 6:10 the Saints cry out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, do you not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth”?

Exodus 34:5-7-5 And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. 6 And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, 7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

The guilty are those who have rejected the Laws/Word of God and Jesus Christ and because of that their children MUST suffer a natural progression of lifestyle which is against God and now the cup of sin is full and the scales of justice tilted to the degree that for God it is time to establish His kingdom on Earth.

Satan Is A Defeated Foe

This was never about a war between God and Satan or a contest to see who was more powerful, No this was about the compassion and love and restraint of a God so powerful that His love motivated Him to send His only begotten Son to pay the Price for a condition that demanded death.  

Your task is to fit yourself to be of maximum service to God and reap the harvest and turn men away from their wicked ways and back to Christ that their eyes may be open and they may be saved.  

That has been the one real problem of most Christians today.  A wise man once wrote, “Obviously you cannot transmit something you haven’t got.”  It’s time to get armed so we can battle as one who represents the Lord.  

I once had a Christian say to me “but you’re a minister, you’re supposed to be doing that”.  I wisely replied through scriptures 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”  

You see we are all Priest unto God.

A more extensive understanding of prophetic scripture is essential to properly discern what taking place is in today's End Time Prophecies. The difficulty is mainly in opening the eyes of God’s people so that they may ascertain the differences between the true and the false. The timing of the events related to scriptures during the End Time prophecy also raises some controversy.

Look For Signs When Reading God’s Word

A word of knowledge when reading scriptures and looking for End Time Prophecies.  In order to identify this End Time Prophecy in scripture look for the sign phrases “The day of the Lord.” Or the “End of days” or “The day of judgment. “or “In That Day.” These all refer to one specific time in world history which alludes to the 70th week of Daniel or the 7 year Tribulation period with express intent to the last 3 ½ years of that period know as “The Great Tribulation.”

It’s time to move from an existentialist relationship with God where one uses an Un renewed mind, lack of Holy Spirit Power and relies heavily upon what one perceives or thinks in lieu to what God has written in His Holy word.  It’s time to move from a religious experience with God, to a more personal experience with God through Jesus Christ.

All religion is pretty much the same at its core. Religions are methodologies for man to evolve to become like God, to appease God and earn brownie points by one’s own good works, or to manipulate God or some “higher power force” into doing one’s own will especially with prosperity, money, or recovery.

There is always an inner circle of elite that set themselves up as being on a higher spiritual plane and more like God or closer to God than the common membership. Those who believe they are on this higher plane then make rules and rituals to enslave the masses to enforce what they believe are God’s requirements for man.

Religion other than “true Christianity” (which really is not a religion but is being born into a new creation through faith and trust in God), is always a salvation by man’s own works and theology and always denies that salvation can be acquired from trusting in the work of Jesus alone.

Jesus had little good to say about the religious leadership over Israel and He will have little good to say about the religious leadership over Gentile religions in these last days. This includes most of the leadership that identifies with Christianity today.  

Listen in my travels through the states I have found only a minimal amount of Pastors and Prophets who know, understand, and preach the true gospel of Yeshua the Messiah, or even understand End Time prophecies.

The scriptures say there is but one way to God and that is through His Son Yeshua Hamaschia.  He paid the price for all mankind at the cross. To be saved one has to Trust that God loved mankind enough to have prepared a plan of salvation and that He actually has the power to carry it out. This plan for redeeming man is what the Bible is all about.  

God is UNVEILING HIS End Time Prophetic Plan for us all to see.

Can you see God’s plan unfolding right before your eyes?