Passion and Message - Have We Lost Something Here?

There are a lot of things that have factored into this post but the first thing that got me thinking was this link: What Harold Camping Got Right.  But another factor was yesterday when I did a funeral for one of my members.  I preach to the same people all the time so whenever I preach to someone different I try to get feedback, even at a funeral.  My sermon was short, simple and to the point.  I got a lot of positive feedback and most of it had nothing to do with the message of the sermon, but the passion of it.  'It was nice to go to a funeral and the preacher knew the person so well they could speak passionately about them".  This was a typical comment and it has confirmed what I have long suspected.  People will never remember a message unless the preacher puts passion behind it.  If you try to preach something that you do not believe or have any emotions about you might as well sit down.

Through the whole Harold Camping nonsense, as the link above points out, the one thing you have to give the Harold Camping group credit for was their passion and message worked.  They went from an obscure group to being talked about across the nation and world in a few short months.  In large part we could blame sensationalism, but the fact is they had real passion about their message and that passion turned into action.  That action netted results.

The problem with the message of the American Christian church regardless of denominational flag is that it has a couple of problems.  On the one hand, we seem to have a large number of denominations and churches who are reworking everything so that it is unoffensive, tolerant and a different paradigm.  On the other hand, we also have a large number of denominations that are so concerned about being right in doctrine, that there is more infighting than ever.  Either Satan has us ineffective due to lack of passion and focus, or he has us shining our armor and fighting one another.  Either way he is winning. Some would argue that this is one of the reasons for the emergent church, but what is their central message?  Can anyone pin it down? 

Some questions that could be asked are: What is the message of the church supposed to be? and How does the church reclaim the passion for that message?  Comments are encouraged on this one because I personally do not see a simple answer to either one and the importance of them is beginning to get weighty indeed.

The Harold Camping Dodge

OK. I am going to say it for the rest of us: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!  Let's be honest, most of you were thinking it, I am just having the guts to say it.  Today's Harold Camping interview was telling and predictable. He dodges pretty fast for an old guy.

1. Harold says he didn't fully understand what was going on May 21st.  He thought it was going to be a physical coming of the Lord but he misunderstood and it was actually a spiritual coming of the Lord.. Jesus is here folks we just didn't see of feel anything but the world is under Judgment Day.

2. New Date Now: October 21st.  Not that it really was new.  This has been predicted right along that the actual end of the world would happen on October 21st, 2011.  The problem now of course is ALL of us will be here when that happens including Harold and his followers.

3. Harold also says he is not responsible for what people did.  He is just a Bible teacher, what people do is their business.  The only one he has authority over is his wife.

All right.  Of course a 'spiritual coming' can't be proved or disproved but you would think that the 200,000 elect who are saved (got to love the doctrine of election) would have sensed something.

Now we all have another day to mark on our calenders - October 21st, 2011.  Ready for round two.  Here is Harold's chance to get even with me seeing I am up 1-0 so far.  I predict that once again nothing will happen on October 21st, 2011.  Hear that Harold, here is a chance to get your money back.  See you at the pearly gates to pay up if you win.

I guess Harold has never read James 3:1 - "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur stricter judgment."  Oh, do not get me wrong, the people that followed this and spent their money on it and wasted their time still are responsible, in my mind, for their foolishness, but Harold Camping is wrong about not being responsible.  When you teach the Bible you will be judged and judged harder for what you teach.  It is completely understandable because what is taught has the power to make or break a person's salvation.  Something every teacher and preacher should take to the pulpit is an element of fear and reverence for the effect God's word has on people.

And all of us thought this was over. See you in October Harold.   

To the False Prophet Harold Camping - Let Me Help You, Sir.

Well it is May 22 and we are ALL still here. No rapture and I want to send a message to Harold Camping to lend him a hand in these trouble times and hopefully educate everyone else why date setting and date setters for the end of the world and judgement day continue to fail.

1. Lack of Understanding: You fail to understand that there are some things that we are not supposed to know and that is OK. The reason God does not want us to know the date is very simple - motivation. If we did know the date we then would live like we want until near the end and then we would make our life right. It is our ignorance that keeps us watchful, praying and looking to the need for holiness in our lives. That is why it is ultimately left to one being - The Father God - to decide these things. Jesus says he is the only one who knows and I take Jesus' word for it. There are some things WE CAN"T KNOW.

2. Lack of the Compassion of God: It not that you just don't have an understanding of God's compassion, you do not have it yourself. 2 Peter 3:9 shows this as it points out that God is not willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance. This verse points out God's patience toward people, a patience date setters do not have. Had Jesus actually come yesterday how many people that did not have an opportunity to accept Christ would have perished? To God these people deserve our love and a chance at repentance, not our "bye, tough luck for you."

3. Lack of Concern for New Christians: The real danger of doctrines like this the effect it has on the young and ignorant believer. The 'children' they cause to stumble. Before preaching anything pastors and church leaders should really ask the question of how what they are preaching is going to be perceived by new Christians. When it comes do date setting, this is particularly devastating when you set a date for Jesus' return and then it does not come to pass. Loss of faith in Christ and the Bible is an inevitable result.

Ultimately, the main reason you fail is your focus is on yourself and not others. You want to escape but you do not want to face your fears and live in this would with the same compassion as Christ. You draw attention to yourself at the expense of others.

You have my pity.

I hope and pray you develop enough humility to fall on your knees and beg forgiveness and come to a realization that you do not know everything you need to know. There are lessons to be learned from this event that you need to learn and they have nothing to do with looking at the Bible to find a date of Jesus' return.

Hope this helps.

The Book of Revelation -- Part 15 -- The Angel and the Little Book

Revelation chapter ten is all about one thing the mighty angel and his little book.
Two significant things happen in this chapter:
1) Seven thunders utter something that john is told not to write because they are for the end. What then becomes interesting is John knows this stuff but no one else will but God and the angels.
2) John is asked to eat the little book in the hand of them mighty angel which he does -- it tastes as sweet to his mouth but bitter in his belly. He is then told to prophesy.

Now the angel is never named but I am sure some have tried --Michael would make sense but ultimately who knows and his name is not as significant as what he holds. The significance of the little book being eaten I partially understand because I am a preacher. Preaching or teaching is always sweet in them mouth but bitter to the belly. God's Word is always good to speak but harder to make a part of your life.

I think this vision has significance to John most of all but to the seven churches it was one of acknowledging John spiritual right to speak and know God's Word.

Next: The Two Witnesses