Along with the apostasy that is going on within the church, we also have the rise of Revolutionaries, which is another movement altogether.========================================================IDOL WORSHIP

By Terry Somerville

We usually think of idolatry as the worship of false gods through images. However Ezekiel tells us the priests also took "idols into their hearts"(Ezekiel 14:3, 7) In each of their rooms in the temple, they had pictures of detestable things painted on the walls. This is a clear parallel for us. In the new testament we are told our body is the temple of the Lord. He dwells in our heart.

For a Christian "covetousness is idolatry". (Colossians 3:5) This means idolatry is serving a picture of what we desire in our heart. Unfortunately spiritual leaders are actually encouraged to develop this image! Even a vision from God can become an idol when we serve it instead of the Lord. Faith is serving God not an image.

In the early nineties I came to what I thought would be a great church. I was sure the vision of ministry I carried would develop in this new place. It didn't work out that way, and I went on several years of roller coaster situations and emotions. I sought the Lord desperately for an answer and success. Finally He confronted me and said "Terry, you are an idol worshipper." I asked "How Lord?" The Lord said " you are not serving me, you are serving an image of ministry, created from the calling I put on your life." Then I understood that I had built an idol, a picture in my heart that I served. I had created it from my calling, desires, envy and church culture.

I realized that I served this idol with my flesh nature. When things went well in the church I was happy , when things went badly I was depressed. This was my flesh serving an idol of ministry in my heart. I even prayed for the Lord to fulfill my idolatry, and was discouraged when He didn't! I confessed the sin of idolatry, but the Lord directed me to smash down the idol. This is repentance. I needed to change my behavior, not just confess the sin!

Eventually we closed the church, but this was not enough. I found we lived in a church climate saturated with the idol worship of our culture. We are like the Greeks. In church we serve the images of size, fame, youth, and personal satisfaction. We have our "gods and goddesses" to lead us in their various realms. We serve the "scientific method" and seek wisdom to apply in our programs. We worship worship, and serve the church service. We have an image of what the successful church looks like.

Eventually repentance means each of us must know how to stand for Jesus as a pastor without serving the idols. For some, it means leaving the environment all together.

The one thing needful is to know Him, and the power of His resurrection. All else is wood hay and stubble.

A REVIVAL LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO HAPPEN

Today there is a rising number of Christians seeking more than organized Christianity has offered. These "Revolutionaries " , as George Barna calls them, are not saying "no" to the organized church itself. But when the organized church says "no" to the hot pursuit of Jesus, they say "no more!" What they hunger after is something bigger than the box thats been called "church". Often they leave and are frequently misunderstood. But there is a revival brewing.

Being outside of church organization is not necessarily as bad as some say it is. After all, that's the way it is in China. What's amazing is that the fastest growing church in the world is in the place where they can't organize or build anything. We pray for them to be free like us. They pray for us to be free, like them.

What we have in North America is a revival looking for a place to happen! Think of it. Hundreds of thousands of Christians in North America are saying " We want deep fellowship, not membership. We want to be salt and light, not stuck "in the box". We want the Glory to fill the nation, not the denomination. If we stay here we'll die!" They are convicted, convinced, have deeply prayed it through and acted. Few take it lightly.

Theres an agony of spirit in the Revolutionaries. There's a desperation and repentance involved. They see the idolatry in the land, and how it has filled the organized church. The same gods of mammon, pride and power they see in the government are often in the pulpit. What rules the marketplace is ruling the pew!

For many Christians, desperation has set in, a willingness to do anything! In spite of sorrow over the sin of the church there seems to be little avenue for change through the organization. Finally it has grown into a decision to break with strong traditions, even though it brings derision. Theres a willingness to do whatever is necessary to pursue and find the life Jesus died to pay for!

We have a generation that dares to say "we are ending what Constantine started".

-They crave fellowship - not membership
-They will follow leaders who are bond servants not overlords.
-They want to be salt and light not hidden "in the box"
-They want organizations that are tools to be used, not regimes to be served.
-They want facilities to meet in, not temples to build.-They have a vision for the world, not a vision for their church
-They are motivated by the love of God, not personal reward
-They sense a judgment is on the horizon if things don't change
-They are saying " I will change" even if it costs me.
-They definitely sense God leading them, but agonize over the decisions they are making.
-They are in a new land with no map. The church in the west has never been here before.

Don't discount what is happening with these people. We need to understand that the decision to step out of the organized church is often an act of personal repentance. Most still pursue Jesus with a passion, and maintain their relationships. They strongly believe in the city wide church. They may attend various services to fellowship and worship, but their desire is to see the fullness of Jesus manifest in His people. A revival is looking for a place to happen!

Blessings
Terry Somerville
www.totalchange.org               Sonchild from Come Up Here     http://s14.invisionfree.com/come_up_here/