In the Sweet Bye and Bye?

“...tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the coming age.” (Hebrews 6:5)

I grew up singing about some day in the sweet bye and bye when everything would finally be good. I remember how many of the people who attended church with me back then testified about another day. They cried as they shared about how wonderful it would be to cross over the Jordan and finally see the wonder and power of God.

Their futuristic sentiment was reflected in the lyrics of a hymn we sang virtually every Sunday:

"When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"1

I suppose that after Christ comes back at some time in the future, they believed that they would finally have a little joy in their hearts. But until then they were going to have to find a way to deal with all their bitterness and distractions. While the elusive future was always filled with hope, the present was always dark and challenging.

This is largely the same sentiment I get whenever I listen to contemporary Christian Music. Driving down the road the other day I heard a popular song on the local Christian station affirming:

Troubled soul don't lose your heart
Cause joy and peace He brings
And the beauty that's in store
Outweighs the hurt of life's sting

But I hold onto this hope
And the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering

There will be a day with no more tears
No more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day
When the burdens of this place Will be no more"2

Yes, there are many problems and issues that affect people and it will certainly be glorious to see Jesus face-to-face at some time in the future. Yet, why do Christians seem to have such an escapist outlook that only finds meaning and hope in the future.

The Word of God is clear in affirming that believers can experience the strength and glory of God now! The writer of Hebrews writes in 6:5 about a people who had already tasted of the "powers of the coming age." In other words the glory of the future was already breaking in on them now. If this couldn’t be experienced, the writer of Hebrews would never have framed it as an option.

Nobody seems to be telling believers that we can experience the "glory of the future" today.

I don't know about you, but I am ready to taste of the glory of the coming age now!

Notes

1. "How Great Thou Art" - Carl Gustav Boberg (1859–1940)

2. "There Will Be a Day" - Jeremy Camp

What is Wrong With Ishmael?

God promised the great Patriarch Abraham a son through whom all the nations would be blessed. You would think that when his first son was born, God might have used him to fulfill the promise. In fact, Abraham exclaimed, "if only Ishmael might live under your blessing!" (Genesis 17:18). But Ishmael was not the one promised.

You can really feel the strain in the story because Abraham loved Ishmael. After all - he was his first-born son. Nevertheless, this son was not the one to bless the world. I can almost hear Abraham asking, "What is wrong with Ishmael? He came from me. He's my son. Can't You bless him?"

The answer from God was, "No."

Ishmael - though loved of Abraham and God - was not the one to carry the blessing.

Ishmael came the natural way, but his second, son, Isaac was birthed supernaturally. In Galatians Paul writes that "the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit" (Galatians 4:29). This simple statement explains everything. What was wrong with Ishmael? Wasn't he a son of Abraham? Yes, but Ishmael was born in the flesh, not the Spirit.

I believe there is a similar strain among Christians today. We have many seemingly acceptable things born "in the flesh." we have programs and outreaches. Many of these things look good and appear to provide some assistance, but they were not birthed in the Spirit.

People ask, "Are you saying God will not work through what we already have? Is there something wrong with my church?"

The fact that there are admirable qualities in our congregations is not the point. What should be our concern is whether or not they have been birthed in the Spirit?

When we finally begin to experience that which has been birthed in the Spirit it will cause us to rise up and experience an advancement never anticipated. How I long to encounter congregations who have been conceived in the Spirit.

Height + Depth = Length

People often asked about the move of God taking place in our congregation. They want to know how we've experienced sustained revival over the last number of years. I often share with them what I am about to share with you.

World Revival Church has experienced an enduring move of God, by applying the following equation:

Height + Depth = Length

The "heights" are what most Spirit-filled believers are interested in. This is when the presence and power of God are manifest in a tangible way. God "shows up" and people are saved, healed and delivered from the devil. His soaring glory draws men and enables them to experience the wonders of His presence.

Yet, to see revival continue, people must experience more than height. Yes, people need to see God, but they must see who they are as well. While in the heights of revival, God shows you who He is. However, in the depths of revival, God shows you who you are. His depths reveal our selfishness and sin. We are challenged to fall on our faces and be changed.

Having a sustained move of God is not difficult if you understand both parts of this equation. We need to see God as well as ourselves. When you experience both the height and the depth, you will have the length.

Clarity

"How will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?" (1 Corinthians 14:7-8)

One of the single most important things that a leader can do today is bring clarity. Too many ministries have become rather "fuzzy" in their call to action. Congregations are used to hearing nice "flowery" messages but are unsure about what they should actually do. We would do well to remember that the goal isn't length or beauty of speech, it's clarity.

When you are communicating with people, are you making sure that your message is simple and clear? Are you emphasizing a strong call to action or are you just giving a lot of "good" ideas and platitudes.

Understand that anything less than precision will bring confusion and inaction to your ministry. You can't ask people to do three - or even two things. If you want to see anything happen, ask them to do one thing and one thing alone.

With such darkness and confusion, the church truly needs a greater sense of clarity.