The church has a cracked foundation

Think about the people in your church. Think about the people you see on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Is there one person in your congregation that you would give your life for? Are there 5? How many are there that you would die to protect? Now compare that to the size of your congregation. We are called in our churches to become like brothers & sisters, to become friends. To have those blood ties to your fellow believer.

John 15:9-17

 ⁹"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. ¹⁰If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. ¹¹I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. ¹²My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. ¹³Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴You are my friends if you do what I command.¹⁵I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.¹⁶You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. ¹⁷This is my command: Love each other.

We are called to love one another. We are also to love even our enemies.

Matthew 5:43-48

⁴³"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' ⁴⁴But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

God often will call us places that make us uncomfortable, so we have to rely on Him more and more. If someone is a wealthy man to sell everything he owns, if this scares you then He’s probably calling you to do this. If you are someone who is comfortable with being silent in a group, He might call you to lead a group. If you are comfortable in your theater seat, then He may be calling you to live in a mud hut in the African wilderness. Maybe you're living your life with an allegiance to Christ, instead of a relationship with Him. If it makes you uncomfortable to preach a message that might turn some away, He could be calling you to preach a less watered down version. If you are stuck on the NIV translation, maybe you should pick up The Message and read it with a grain of salt. If you’re Pentecostal maybe you should seek out a Baptist church. If you are comfortable not going to church, He is calling you to find a church.

I know there are a lot of people, myself included, that do see lots of cracks in the foundations of the church. Some of us do not like church because of the hypocrites who reside within. To avoid a church would be hypocrisy in and of itself. It would state that someone who is a faith professing Christian would claim that there’s a group of people who are unreachable by God. The self-centered Christianity that most of us despise becomes what we believe. What would give us the right to deprive people of God’s love? What gives us the right to deprive them of our revelations of His word? We are called to question everything, so we have to rely on God to allow us to realize when we are wrong too.

If you see the cracks in the foundations, things that need to change, maybe you’re called to help repair those cracks or maybe when you bend down to repair those cracks, and come to the corner stone, you’ll find out that you’re the one who is fractured.

I'm a freak.

Most Christians know about the underground churches in Asia. Where people can be killed or face life imprisonment for attending church or preaching the gospel. There's places in the middle east where Muslims can kill Christians and have little to no reproductions. I think that lukewarm Christianity is not a problem there; not saying that they don't exist but it doesn't seem like it would be worth it to be lukewarm. I want to take a trip to some of these places and see how God is moving in His people who are persecuted and face death to hear & spread His word.

The idea that I've been toying around with is mimicking these underground churches. Where its not about how big the Christmas pageant is or what kind of music the praise band plays or that the minister preaches in this style. Brining the focus of the church away from the building and bringing it back to the people. Brining it back to the body of Christ. Making the gatherings about studying His word, praying fervently, praising God for the things he does.

I just think its crazy we live in a country where churches spend $10 Billion a year to build new buildings or expand their existing ones, when it would cost $10 Billion a year to make sure everyone, in the world, had access to clean water. Something seems wrong about that, it doesn't seem like the message Jesus preached.

I want to help break this idea of Suburban Jesus. The pale white, blue eyed, frail man preaching a message about how to keep from going to Hell by praying a prayer, telling people that they should live by a set of rules. A 30 year old Jewish carpenter from the middle east doesn't seem to fit that description. The message He preached doesn't seem like it would sit well with the affluent church of America. The life changing message of total sacrifice & love. The man who called out Pharisees on their hypocritical ways. The man who spent 3 years in very close contact to 12 men, making them disciples, teaching them how to live like Him & die like Him (except John).

I mean the greatest thing I can think of would be to live a life, preaching His message, making disciples of all people in all nations. The greatest honor I could think of would to become a martyr on His behalf. To bring glory to Him. I know that might sound radical, crazy or extreme, but I don't think Christianity is mean to be a subdued faith.

I walk this road alone, I would never ask anyone to follow me to calvary, to my cross, but I would like to meet someone who is walking this road as well to know that I'm not the only one.

I only want a little Jesus, thank you.

What about Christianity says that we should be “well balanced”?

We go to church once or twice a week; so as not to be like some of those “Godless people”, but we want some time to spend with our friends & family.

We give the 10% of our money, 5% of our time, maybe a little more if it’s available

We gladly sit in a church service watching a missionary’s slideshow from the most recent trip to Uganda sitting in our comfortable theater seating

We have 4,000 churches in a 30 mile radius, and 1,500 homeless people

We attend rallies to put down “Them Hom O’sexuals”

We send $5,000 to aid refugees or natural disaster victims, while there is a $23 million dollar addition to the church in the works.

Why are we so worried about church attendance?

Why is it quantity over quality?

Acts 2:44-47:

44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

The early church met every day.

They intensely studied the gospel & what the disciples said.

They shared everything they had.

They gave to those in need.

They were friends

They were a family

With quality there came quantity.

Maybe as a church we should be loving & helping everyone, regardless of who they are.

Maybe there should be a much different level of trust & sharing between members of the church.

How many of us are called to missions?

How many are called to watch the slide shows?

Matthew 28:19, 20

19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

I read that as we are all called to go to all nations.

Not just send the “chosen” few.

Colossians 3:17

17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Everything we do should glorify God

Despite where we are

Despite what we are doing

Despite whom we are with

Are you ready to give up everything for God?

Our aspirations of school?

Our aspirations of business?

Our aspirations of wealth?

Our aspirations of marriage?

Our aspirations of life?

Luke 9:23

23Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.

If someone walked up to us carrying a gun, stuck it in our face and asked

“Do you believe in God?”

Would you deny Him 3 times?

Would you be willing to go someplace where if you attended a church meeting you might face death or life imprisonment?

Just because it’s not illegal to do this in America, why don’t we live that way?

Where you don’t just invite someone to church, but you share the gospel on a personal level with people.

Then when they are hungry for the word & thirsty for the truth, you invite them to church.

Maybe some people require a bit of secular quotes 

Coming to God isn't a weekend retreat! It's not a seminar!

You have to forget everything you know, everything you think

You know -- about life, about friendship, about you and me.

Does this sound a little extreme?

I don't believe a man who would go into the temple & break the table of the money changers could be considered subdued.

I don't believe a man who told a large crowd that they should drink His blood & eat His flesh is subtle.

I don't believe a man that was God would only want people to follow Him only halfway.

I don't believe that He died so we could be comfortable & get our "Free get out of hell ticket".

Are we ready to die for Jesus?

If we aren’t ready to die for Him, how can we be ready to live for Him?

I'll become an Outlaw

I've seen a lot of people arguing over laws lately.
People holding on to their political views.
Christian people.
Believing that their way of life is being threatened.


Gay Civil Rights
Abortion
Separation of Church & State


Using the passages of a book of love & truth to oppress people.


If the law allows 2 people of the same sex to marry, does that then force us to only marry people of the same sex as ourselves? Or does that allow people to have the same equal rights as every other citizen of the nation? For this is their freedom.


If the woman has the right to choose if she wants to abort a pregnancy, does that force every woman to have an abortion? Although I am heart broken that some women decide to put a child to death as a form of birth control. I believe that they should have the right to choose.


Are they banning the name of God in schools? True they do not allow teachers to teach creationism in science class. Students are still allowed to talk about God to their friends, student run organizations like FCA & See You at the Pole are still happening. No one has kept a child from praying in school and no one forces a child to pray in school.


Brothers & Sisters I tell you, as Christians we are called to love everyone as Christ loved them.


Maybe we shouldn't be focused on disrupting 2 people in love and hindering their right to happiness & freedom. Maybe we should be focused as loving our families as Christ loved us. Giving everything for them through His love. Ephesians 5:25-27


Maybe instead of protesting the woman to have the right to choose weather or not she wants to keep her baby, you should show her Christ's love and support. Let her know that the body of Christ will be there to support her. If she does not feel able to support the child that there is still hope for both her and the child.
Jeremiah 1:5



Maybe we should not focus on making sure that schools teach your children about God, but make sure that you teach them about God. If they ban His name in the hallways, then let the children shout His name in the yards. Let them meet in secret to discuss their faith. Let them be persecuted & rejoice.
Matthew 5:10-12



Or is our faith so weak that our living standards must be law? That it needs to be illegal in order for us, as Christians, not to do it? Is our God so weak that a committee of men writing down things on paper will stop His power? Is His love so small that it will be overshadowed by the things of this world?


What if it was against the law to practice Christianity publicly? A crime punishable by death or life imprisonment.


How many Christians in churches today would continue to follow Christ?
How many of us would secretly meet to feverishly pray for their underground churches?
How many of us would struggle to feel God's presence in our lives?
How many of us would become outlaws?

I dance in my underwear

When was the last time you were in church praise & worship?

Maybe it was only a few days ago; possibly weeks ago, or years ago for some.

How did it look?

Was everyone standing around singing monotone hymns from a book?

Were there people with their eyes closed with their hands raised?

Was there dancing?

2 Samuel 6:14 says

“David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might,”

Basically David was so overjoyed in the Lord that he ran out in the street and danced in his underwear.

Imagine if you will someone so happy that they run outside in their boxers and started running in place & jumping up and down.

When was the last time you saw someone during praise & worship session just become so overwhelmed with the presence of God that they disregarded openly praised God?

Not saying that the people in the church service should strip off their clothes and dance in their underwear… although that might give people a different view of Christianity wouldn’t it?

2 Samuel 6:22a

“I will become even more undignified than this, I will be humiliated in my own eyes.”

What if we praised like that though, with that spirit?

Praising God without worrying about what other people though?

2 Samuel 6:22b

“But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.”

How would people view Christianity if they walked into a praise & worship session and people were praising God uninhibited by those around them.

How would they feel if they saw people praising God in the street in this manner?

Maybe the way you praise uninhibited is dancing, in the middle of the church of "the frozen chosen"
Maybe the way you praise uninhibited is standing there quietly with your hands raised, while those around you speak in tongues.
Maybe the way you praise uninhibited is face down on the floor in your room.
Do not be swayed by those around you.
Praise as God's Spirit leads.

To live is Christ, but to die is gain.

About 8 months ago I found myself in Los Angeles, CA. I had the beginnings for everything I could have ever wanted.

I had my dream job in a managed service company on doing the helpdesk thing.

I had a beautiful girl who was more than I had ever hoped & asked for.

I had the fast sports car.

I was trying to save to buy a house.

I was fast on my way to achieving the American Dream.

I knew I was on the right path to achieving the things I wanted.

I realized I wasn't happy.

I was utterly miserable.

So I ran.

I sold my car, bought a truck.

I loaded up my stuff.

Quit my job.

I let her know I was leaving.

Maybe one day she could be happy, with someone who's not a selfish, angry, judgmental, hypocritical, lustful man.

I ran.

As I drove the I15 out to Barstow I watched as what was left of my castle in the sand was swept away with the tide.

I drove to Oklahoma.

I found a new sandbox.

I started rebuilding my castle in the sand.

A song spoke to me.

“Stand up we shall not be moved

Except by a child with no socks and shoes

If you've got more to give then you've got to prove
Put your hands up and I'll copy you

Stand up we shall not be moved

Except by a woman dyeing from a loss of food”

My heart was bleeding.

I felt a tug.

I felt a still small voice.

I had too much

I had nothing

But I had too much.

I still had my life.

The truth was made apparent to me.

I was gaining the world, but I was losing my soul.

But I was too far gone.

There’s no possible way that I could ever make it back.

I had been running.

Ever since I can remember I’d been running.

I was too far gone.

I stopped for a moment to catch my breath.

When I stopped running I felt someone behind me.

I turned around and found myself standing face to face with God.

I had stood there before.

Face to face with God.

Was this what I was running from?

Was running from the face of love?

He asked me if I was ready.

Ready to lay down my life

Ready to follow him

I didn’t want to.

But God gave me the strength to want to.

God gave me the strength to say,

“I don’t want you,

But I want to want you.”

God has called me to lay down my life for Him.

To deny myself so that others may gain life in Him.

I fear no death.

For I have died to myself.

The only life I have is the life in Christ.

This is a life I will not waste.