Live video discussion tonight : A Ezekiel 8 church vs. a 2 Chronicles 7 church

I’m LIVE on video right now at http://www.praytherevolution.com/live discussing the epidemic of the crossless church.  Plus, check out the video from World Revival Church at the end of the post.

I had a great day today at World Revival Church as Pastor Steve Gray poured his heart and wisdom regarding the advance of the church today at a pastor’s meeting.  I hold this man in high regard, and I come alive as he unapologetically moves in ministry with his cross on his back.

We all need this.

Pastor Steve talked about the crisis of fear in our churches today.  It’s impossible to be a good minister if fear grips us, and that power of fear actually runs many churches all around the world.  This fear causes us to resist risk, temper our messages and satisfy the people when our mandate is to call them into a cross-driven lifestyle that challenges them to their very core.

We as leaders must not fall into the trap of offering what amounts to group therapy.  We don’t want simple sermons that encourage everyone to just be ‘better people.’  We must preach the death of Jesus on the cross, and our own call to martyrdom of the flesh.

Pastor Steve talked about how humbled he is that the people in his church love to be there (four or more days a week), love to tithe, love to be involved.  Where the power of God is manifested, the people will come.  It’s a ‘one thing’ attitude.  We long to be in the house of God, in his presence!

He mentioned the Ezekiel 8 church that’s rampant in the world today:

Ezekiel 8:6 (NIV) And he said to me, "Son of man, do you see what they are doing–the utterly detestable things the house of Israel is doing here, things that will drive me far from my sanctuary? But you will see things that are even more detestable."

Where is the presence of God in our churches today?  Many are deeply groaning for a move of God in our day… and we must let the reigns of control go and cry out night and day for a visitation!

Instead of an Ezekiel 8 church, how about we implement a 2 Chronicles 7 ‘church growth strategy’ that actually results in the building being vacant?

2 Chronicles 7:1-3 (NIV) ¹ When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. ² The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it. ³ When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, "He is good; his love endures forever."

This is it! Fire from heaven! Everything consumed! The priests couldn’t enter the temple because of the glory of the Lord! The people hit the pavement (biting pavement is much better than sucking carpet!) And… God was worshiped and declared loving and good by those who witnessed it!

Now, this is church!

Fire!

Here’s a video from World Revival Church.

Let’s talk about this NOW: http://www.praytherevolution.com/live