|
Review content:
7 billion people living on the hardened crust of the earth, formed by God. \r
\r
500 fortunate people heard about Lakeview, enrolled in the Christian Life Class and became members.\r
\r
250 people remain, looking through rose colored windows… but the light grows dim.\r
\r
15 churches associated in the glory day.\r
\r
3 churches remain, with Ichabod written on the door.\r
\r
1 God. \r
\r
1 Spirit. \r
\r
1 Son… sent to die and redeem all 7 billion people on the planet.\r
\r
But the people who left… they must serve a different God… they are dangerous...\r
\r
Which God are you serving? The God who came for 7 billion, 500 or the remaining 250?\r
\r
Go into all the world and preach the gospel?\r
\r
Lakeview and its satellite churches have not been successful, not because of God or the failure of Gentiles to hear, but because of bad management and poor leadership. Leaders that fail to understand how grace works properly in growing, thriving churches that truly seek to fulfill the great commission. \r
\r
Lakeview is ruled by self-righteous, angry fists. They have a limited number of prestigious roles to dole out to their chosen, trusted few. When will YOU be chosen? When will YOU get the chance to help the hungry, sick and imprisoned? Do you want to?\r
\r
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’""\r
\r
You are living in a prison, right now! You are not reaching out to help anyone! You are singing the same songs, week after week! You see the same people week after week who are already saved by grace.\r
\r
If God is God, what are you afraid of? Whom do you fear? Are you afraid to talk to family and friends who left this church? Do you even know why they left… or did you just believe what you were told?\r
\r
Living on the outside we are helping the hungry and thirsty… and the imprisoned…you. We would stop... if Lakeview stopped being a religious prison.\r
\r
Can the leadership make real changes to undo the prison, or will they just make new rules?\r
\r
Can they harness the energy of the congregation to reach out to the community and help the poor? \r
\r
No.\r
\r
They are too busy cleaning the building and paying the mortgage, electric bill, armed guards, house payments, car payments and salaries. That is their focus. They are filling out school reports, home meeting reports and youth group reports. They dutifully scribe every verbal and non-verbal communication related to you, your work, your wife and your children. They deliver these reports all the way to the top. Did you say something negative about someone? They know about it. Did you say something negative about them? They know about it. They will mark you. You have seen it happen, you know it’s true.\r
\r
Legalism in Lakeview trivializes the work of Jesus on the Cross. \r
\r
He died once for all, not once for the members of Lakeview. Why are you so insulated and protected by the leadership there?\r
\r
Stop trivializing what’s happening around you… \r
\r
Will leaving be difficult? Yes.\r
\r
Will they pursue you at first? Yes.\r
\r
Will you then be shunned? Yes.\r
\r
Will they tell lies about you, just like they did about us? Yes.\r
\r
Will good, truly Christ like people help you once you leave? Yes! \r
\r
Will you be glad you made the choice to live a New Testament life in Jesus full of grace? YES!\r
\r
My wife and I left this church more than fifteen years ago and it was the best decision we ever made. We spent a year looking for a new church without the legalism, and found a good one. It wasn’t that hard because Lakeview is so bad. My children are happy, healthy, well-adjusted and God fearing.\r
\r
Make your plan and RUN, don’t walk, to the nearest exit… and be free. \r
|