This is how a message on “Working of Miracles” came around to the condition of the church today. My study began with 1Corinthians 12:10 “…. to some were given… the working of miracles”. I quickly looked up the word miracle, expecting a definition that read like a book on the supernatural possibility of a natural impossibility, only to find the Greek word dunamis or power and the words of Paul…
“And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.” 1Corinthians 2: 4-5
The Holy Ghost spoke a sobering statement, “The church has exchanged the Gospel of righteousness in Christ Jesus for religious rhetoric.” So clear came the words of the Spirit to me and so deep was the conviction that I could hardly breathe while searching for the definition.
Rhetoric – The art or study of using language effectively and persuasively; speech or discourse that pretends to significance but lacks true meaning.
This could be an abbreviated name of the church in the world today; the sign would be bigger than the building if we put in all the titles that were left out!
“The First New Universal Bapticostal Post Modern Charismatic Church of Reformed Rhetoric” (tongue –in – cheek, but no chuckle here, I don’t think God is laughing)
Paul dealt with the same problem with the believers of his time. The church at Corinth had taken on this title only the names were different!
You may be questioning how this could be, for the church has only tried to answer the need of the society and culture of the people it embraces today; struggling to stay relevant letting go of doctrinal dogmas becoming more inclusive. The five fold ministry has survived and signs and wonders are supernaturally performed. What have we missed?
The next statement hit me harder than the first. “Since the gospel being preached is one of rhetoric, then the response becomes rhetorical, having no practical application, or urgency to answer, no power to change and requires no true faith to endure. It results in unbelief or disobedience.”
This is no thesis and I am no theologian. It is only a partnership with the Holy Ghost and revealing of the Father’s heart through the teaching of the Word. As a minister, a pastor, a prophet and a child of God I have cried for the lost and wept to see the miracles of the early church. Yes, I have been in services where the Glory of God fell in gold dust and was left to be vacuumed up the next day. I have prayed for the sick and seen them healed, cast out devils in His name and fed the poor. Thank God for it! But more and more my heart is grieved for the bondage and burdens of drug addiction, divorce, offense, arrogance, and perversion in the church. Amid all the supernatural manifestations in the church today where is the power to deliver us from the afore-mentioned ailments? At our fingertips are all that technology and creativity have to offer, mega churches and prosperity surely there is nothing wrong we can’t fix.
What we need is a miracle!
Characteristics of a Rhetorical Gospel:
Division – Boastful – Fleshly – Jealousy – Strife – No Integrity or Trustworthyness – Arrogant – Despising of Fathers in the Faith – Judgmental of one another – Wise (in their own eyes)- Superior - Ruling – Prosperous – Strong – Distinguished- Many teachers
“Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and there be no divisions among you, but you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1Corthians 1: 10
It had been reported back to Paul that there were cliques in the church and the people were divided in their following of different teachers. Thus Paul began his address and it would behoove the modern church to listen.
“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, (rhetoric) that the cross of Christ should not be made void. For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
It was the preaching of the cross of Christ that brought the power of salvation to the Corinthians. It wasn’t through the wisdom of men but through the foolishness of God. He chose the weak things of the world to shame the things that are strong.
“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, that just as it is written, Let him who boast, boast in the lord.” 1Corinthians 1:30-31
The miracle is salvation and it comes from the power of the preaching of the cross.
We cannot boast in what we have done of our selves or in the ministry of any man.
“And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” 1Corinthians 2: 1-2
Paul did not come for the recognition or to gain a fan club. He was not there to compete with any man or compare with any other orator; not even to judge another man’s work.
“ for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? For when one says, I am of Apollos, are you not mere men? What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one.” 1Corinthians 3: 3-5
Paul could not speak to them as to spiritual men but as to babes in Christ because of their carnality. Political ambitions filled the church and posturing for positions was the course of the day. Paul knew the preaching of the gospel was a partnership and not a contest. He took no glory and considered himself and his fellow ministers servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. As stewards it was required to be found trustworthy. Paul was afraid even to examine himself by himself but to let Christ examine him. He refused to pass judgment on another ministry but to let the Lord do it.
This church considered themselves to “have arrived”. They could preach, teach, move in the gifts of the spirit, worship and witness all with great professionalism. Any evangelist that came through town was subject to their scrutiny and every sermon was critiqued yet there was known sexual sin in the church and it was accepted!
The true love of God the Father was exchanged for a love that became tolerant not transforming! It became the preaching of a purported salvation without sanctification. Sound familiar?
Though the modern church may look great, she is weak and sick. Thinking she is on the right path, she has been subtly detoured by the ruts and bumps of offense she has encountered. Refusing to be challenged and humbled by them she has looked for the easy way, the way without discipline and suffering. Choosing her own teachers and acquiring her own followers and creating many paths.
“Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12: 12-14
Characteristics of the Gospel of the Cross of Jesus Christ:
Condemned to death – Spectacle – Fool for Christ sake – Weak by earthly standards – Without earthly honor – Suffering Hunger, Thirst, Poorly clothed – Homeless – Worker
Hallelujah! Now the Gospel can be preached! Pick up your cross and follow Jesus! We have traded the power of the preaching of the cross of Jesus for designer gold crosses! We wear them as jewelry but we cannot carry that rough, bloody, cross that He bore for us.
Paul told this to the Corinthians (with maybe a touch of sarcasm)
“For who regards you as superior? And what do you have that you did not receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and I would indeed that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you. For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men, We are fools for Christ sake, but you are prudent in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor. To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; and we toil, working with our own hands;” ICorinthians 4: 7-12
He goes on to say that when we are reviled, we bless. When we are persecuted, we endure. When we are slandered, we try to conciliate. We have become as the scum of the world, the dregs, of all things. Try getting people to apply to that job description!
Then with the heart of God He writes “I do not write this to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. I exhort you therefore, be imitators of me.” 1 Corinthians 4: 14-16
This is a fatherless generation. When a generation is left without fathers there are no foundations, no security, no guidance, no discipline, no inheritance, no examples, no blessing and no virtue or power. A true father is forever! We have plenty of instructors, teachers, and tutors. When we disagree with one, we can find another. There are plenty of people out there competing for our attention and our admiration wanting to be a living legend but no one willing to die for us. We have prosperity and riches but no lasting posterity or blessing of inheritance.
We have climbed the slippery slope of a grace that is like a soft pillow placed to catch us when we fall, so we don’t hurt ourselves. No one is willing to walk with us the road to death. God’s grace is not a pillow, but a part and portion and equal to His strength, justice and power. He has won the victory over death for us!
Finally, a father will lead us and guide us through all things and produce through us fruit that keeps producing. That’s power!
“For the kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power.” 1Corinthians 4:20
The church that preaches this gospel is the church that will walk in miracle working power in these last days!
Pastor Tura