It’s time to become “Philadelphia”

It’s time the family of God decide where we stand, and actually do something to express it. It’s time to stop the multimillion dollar organized, “church.”  It’s time to become like the early church. No big buildings, no paid staffs, no tax exempt status. If the federal government will not comply with the law of the land, and the will of the people; the Constitution, if it will no longer respect the beliefs of peaceful citizens who wish only to worship quietly in privacy, and with dignity and conviction, I say, don’t give them anything to violate!

The church will always be the church in the eyes of God, no matter where or how we meet. We all know who we are. We know how to find one another; and we know how to conduct ourselves through the Word of God, so let’s do it. The organized church in America for the most part is a mockery of God’s design for the true church, and the people in it are starving for truth. Study the book of Acts, Hebrews 10 and Colossians 3,  it’s all spelled out. We can live out a biblical church without all the hoopla, the money, the buildings, and the nagging government intervention on our beliefs.

Sell the buildings, give back the keys and let’s be the true church. None of the apostles had membership drives, concerts or car washes. The early church knew one thing… Jesus Christ and Him crucified. They survived on faith and belief in the Savior they knew. How far we’ve come…

It’s not a hard thing. Just do it, and let it come from the leadership.  It would not only take courage… but think of the monetary impact it would have on the economy and the lives of those who are in some form of paid leadership. The apostles made a living and were given gifts by the body for survival. Have our pastors and teachers been faithful in teaching and leading their flocks to trust the outcome of such a change? Would they be able to survive in the real world and still serve those in their charge? Would those in their charge give as the early church did, because of their appreciation for their efforts to teach the Word of God and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Why do we need the tax breaks, or government intervention in anything the true church must accomplish? If there is no organization, who will be required to pay taxes? Who will fear what they may be asked to do?

It isn’t a new idea, it is happening all over the world. It’s called the “underground church.” From my research, it appears many believers are attending home churches because they are not pleased with the “purpose driven” campaigns they are getting, the “bible lite” messages they are hearing and the “worldly music” they are being forced to worship with, in order to draw in crowds. Who by the way, are NOT coming in and staying, unless of course there is something in it for them… and it isn’t God.

The current church in America for the most part looks like the world, and is run like a corporation, thanks to Bill Hybels, Willow Creek Church, Rick Warren, Peter Drucker and a few others you can read about in “Faith Undone,” by Roger Oakland.  That and only that, is the reason the doors are open but no one is interested. All over the world the doors of churches are slammed shut and dust fills the seats of what was once a thriving body. I understand the underground church in China is thriving.

We American believers are ripe for the judgement of God. We have no backbone in general (I know there are some who are fighting the good fight) we have rolled over for a godless political leadership and for the most part, joined them. Politics are a now a big part of the church, but no one is talking about it. Pastors cannot “offend” congregations with truth, because of the support that is required to keep things running.

Does it take an organization to spread the gospel around the world? Didn’t the apostles do the same without modern accoutrements?

Of course, my idea is just a theory, but I believe God is honored when His people take a stand and trust him. All throughout the Old Testament we see God protecting His people with His righteous right arm, when they are first and foremost, devoted to trust in Him for their protection.

God has NEVER required his people to live or conduct themselves as the world has. He has always protected those who belong to Him, when they have put their faith IN Him. In fact, God is grieved when His people cannot be identified with Him in any culture. The Israelites were set apart, the early church was set apart, but is the current church set apart?

Those who are making a good living in the “organized church” would baulk at the idea of giving up the money, prestige and livelihood such a transition would take. Many parishioners wouldn’t know HOW to worship God without these modern comforts. But I wonder… would God provide? Would God be pleased that His people set themselves apart? What does the Bible say?

Today, the church in America is;

(1) Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7) – the church that had forsaken its first love (2:4).

Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11) – the church that would suffer persecution (2:10).

Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17) – the church that needed to repent (2:16).

Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29) – the church that had a false prophetess (2:20).

Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) – the church that had fallen asleep (3:2).

Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22) – the church with the lukewarm faith (3:16).

It’s time to become Philadelphia:

(Revelation 3:7-13) – the church that had endured patiently (3:10).  (~ list of churches from “Got ?’s.org.”)