IF WE FAINT NOT.
Romans 8:38-39 (NLT) 38And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
You have heard me say more times than I can count that we need to get back to basics. Would you be shocked if I told you that according to the statistics that approximately 1500 pastors leave the pulpit each month? Some leave because of sin creeping into their lives, some leave because they cannot afford to be a pastor and raise a family, some leave to go on to other ministries. But, many leave the church because they are defeated, just like a good friend of mine. I just got a call from an old pastor friend telling me he was leaving the church and could not be a pastor anymore.
Let me tell you a little of his story. He and his wife have been pasturing a small church here in Wyoming for 12 years. They have done their best to reach their community. Last year several so called "Christians" decided it was time for this pastor and his wife to retire. All said and done they destroyed a church with the resulting church spilt. Then this pastor lost his wife to cancer. The first time back in the pulpit of his church there were 4 people in church. Mary and I a visitor and one regular. You see my friends, Christians have become so self centered and into the what's in it for me idea that we forget what we are here for. I cannot count in my time as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus how many pastors had to work because they could not make a living off preaching the gospel. Christians will pay $20 to go see a movie but will not give that to attend church. Think about it my friends. Now be honest, how many of you would go to your church every Sunday if they charged admission? Most amusement parks charge up to $50 to enter the gates and get a few rides. We will gladly pay that but then watch our pastor wearing worn out clothes and driving an old car because we won't support him, financially or spiritually. The pastor and his wife above had to work to support themselves. But, they just kept going for Jesus. Are you getting my point yet?
What has happened to us? Am I the only one who remembers the old days when all the churches in town would have 5th Sunday rallies. When all the churches would get together to just celebrate the Lord! I just preached in a small church in the south. They loved Jesus and had the Spirit of the Lord in their services. But they gave me that deer in the headlights look when I mentioned them working with the other churches. If we want to make a difference we must get back to the basics and become the body of Christ again. Not the individual for Jesus and the what's in it for me group.
On with my story, at the funeral of this mighty woman of God only a couple of the local pastors showed up to offer their respects. We have over 20 churches in this small county and these pastors were just too busy. The pastor of the largest Bible church in the community, whom I told of the funeral, must have been too busy with his purpose driven life to care enough about a fellow pastor. Galatians 6:9 (KJV) 9And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. You see the pastor who quit his church has reached the point where his support system, his wife is no longer there and he is giving up.
Here is where we get to my point! Bet, your wondering what it is? Well here we go, who, what, where, is your support system? Christians today have become centered around the what's in it for me doctrine or just plain "religious" doctrine. One of my biggest pet peeves is when I meet another Christian, and introduce myself as a follower of Jesus they will almost invariability, tell me their religion. They introduce themselves as Methodists, Baptists, Assemblies of God, etc. Is it that they do not want to be associated with Jesus or just do not know the difference? You see this is one of our greatest failings. Paul said it. 1 Corinthians 1:12-13 (NLT) 12Some of you are saying, "I am a follower of Paul." Others are saying, "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Peter," or "I follow only Christ." 13Can Christ be divided into pieces? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? In the above pastor's case his support system was his wife, who has passed into heaven and his religion which cannot help him in his time of deepest need. What is your support system? Paul has it right in his writing in Romans 8:28. Paul knew that the only support system that will never fail us and will be their in our darkest times is the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. It is not a religion, it is not anyone on this earth, it is not a church and it's congregation. It is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I fully understand this pastor's heart when he came back to his church and preached to only 4 people. It is hard. I promised the Lord I would preach anytime and anywhere He called. The first time I preached at one small church in Wyoming it was 15 minutes after the start of services before anyone showed up. Then only 4 people came. I went into the back offices and cried out to the Lord "Why Lord??" His simple answer, " because you promised me you would preach anywhere or anytime I called! WILL you? By the time we left the church they were running close to 30 a Sunday. Who was my support system? The church, the congregation, my wife ? No! it was Jesus. Most of you know that Mary and I are connected at the hip. If for some reason the Lord decided that it was time for Mary to go to heaven I would be devastated. I would be crushed, but not defeated. Why? because Jesus is my support system. If that happened I would redouble my efforts to save souls and work for the Lord. Who or what is your support system my friends? If it isn't Jesus then you had better be prepared for the world to kick it out from under you. Just like this pastor friend of ours. The world IE. the devil has kicked his support system out from under him and he has fainted in his time of deepest need. Once an evangelist had a wife like Mary is to me. He was preaching at a church with his wife sick at home. By the time he returned home she had passed into heaven. His faith was so great he prayed and pleaded with the Lord at her bedside for her to be raised from the dead. She opened her eyes and said "no dear, it is my time". Then an angel appeared and told him he had to let her go it was her time. He kissed her and let her go. Later after the funeral he went back to her grave and threw himself on her grave and wept bitterly. He cried out to Jesus I cannot go on without her. The Lord came to him and told him he had too. This man asked only one thing. He said Lord I must have double the Spirit to continue. The Lord told him so be it. This man went on to heal and bring thousands upon thousands to the Lord. Yet, he confessed that many a night he would just weep with loneliness for his departed wife. You see my friends his support system was Jesus and he did not faint but continued on with the Power of the Lord.
What is your support system today. Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)
8Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD is the one who goes before you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor forsake you." Who or what is your support system in your life my friends? I can tell you with all authority that if it is not Jesus Christ the Savior of the world and Son of God you will be the loser in the end. Matthew 10:28 (NLT) 28"Don't be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Where is your support system? If it is in this world, you, my friends will not finish the course, you will not win the race! You will be defeated. But if our support system is in the Lord we will be just like Paul. Paul knew that now matter what happened it would be the will of the Father in heaven and he could say with 100% confidence Romans 8:38-39 (NLT) 38And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Can you say this with 100% confidence, If not get back to the basics, JESUS!
God bless
Pastor A. J.
