Absolute Power

Absolute Power

October 30, 2024

            There is a saying that goes, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” And when it comes to mankind, that saying is proven to be true each and every time. Our forefathers realized this to be true in our government, and established term limits for US presidents in 1951, in our 22^nd amendment to the Constitution. Not all, but many states have followed suit with other governmental positions, such as governors, legislators, mayors, and judges.

            Nearly 82% of American Citizens support term limits, as a means to prevent any single person from becoming so deeply entrenched in their position, that their power and authority exceed their intended limitations or scope. When the framers of our country created our system of government, they made a Bill of Rights, and those weren’t the government’s rights, they were the rights of the citizens to protect them from the government. They also created the Constitution which protects citizens from the Government overreaching into our private lives.

            Corporations incorporate this same line of thinking in their structure. The power is distributed between the CEO, CFO, board members, and shareholders, each keeping the other in check. Every successful organization has some type of structure to regulate itself and reduce the possibility of one person becoming power-hungry and creating a dictatorship. Throughout history, we can see examples of dictators, kings, and other rulers who let power go to their heads and disaster always ensued.

            The church is no different. Yes, I am fully aware that according to God, the church is not a building, it is the people who are saved. For the purpose of this story, when I refer to the church, I am speaking about the members who attend a specific location and worship together. Today, I want to address, “Why are the churches dying? Some are blaming it on COVID-19, and I must confess the COVID-19 epidemic did no favors for any organized religion, but this problem existed long before COVID-19. I have watched and was involved in a strong, well-established, God-fearing, church that fell apart. I was not part of it, but watched and observed as others have done so as well, and I have talked with even others who gave me valuable insight concerning what took place when their church died or split apart. And in every case, the common denominator, and who was to blame was, of course, Satan. But he worked through the leadership of the church and their inner circle. The problem of diminishing membership is not that people’s interest in God has waned or that people are no longer interested or in need of salvation. On the contrary, I believe the need to be greater today than ever before. People are walking around in masses searching for answers and something to believe in. So, why are churches becoming insignificant? A church begins to die, the minute the inner circle of people begins to follow their will instead of God’s will!

            When people quit earnestly seeking to know and follow God’s will and start injecting their thoughts and opinions, the trouble begins. The church begins to be less and less a house of God and starts taking on the characteristics of a social club. Whenever more church business is being conducted in the hallways and back rooms of the church than during the business meetings, you have a problem. When a handful of the Deacon’s wives and a large donor to the church, have more sway as to how things are done, you have a problem. When deacons and pastors are selected by popularity instead of adhering to God’s guidelines, which are spelled out in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, you have a problem. When the leadership of the church fails to carry themselves and behave as outlined in Ephesians 4:11-13, and Romans 12:6-11, then you have a problem!

            In most churches, 3% of the members do 98% of the work, which is not a good thing, nor is it intended to be that way. 1 Corinthians 12:28 lists some of the positions within a church. 1 Corinthians 12:11-25, talks about how the body of Christ is made up of many members and how we each serve in a different capacity, but none is any more important to the body than the other. And very importantly, we find in 1 Corinthians 12:4-8 how we all serve differently, but we are serving the same Spirit. If we are truly serving that spirit then that means, we are obeying that spirit and following its’ direction. If we are all following the same spirit, then why are we being led in different directions? If everyone is following and obeying God’s spirit, then there should be perfect unity within the church! Anytime there is not, that should be a red flag to us all, and we should retreat from making decisions or moving forward on a project, or anything else until we step back individually and search our hearts to make sure we are not projecting our will as Gods’. In James 3:14-18, we find some of the things we should be checking. We can also check ourselves by comparing our motives and methods against the fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23. Everything we do and think, should be tempered by love, and every decision we make should be guided by God’s wisdom, especially those involving the church, because they, in turn, affect many people’s lives. Record numbers of people are getting their feelings hurt and being driven away from organized religion, because of politics within the church.

            I see churches go through pastors like tissue paper. They seek out a pastor who will stand firm on God’s word and accept the position as head of the church. He is supposed to be a God-fearing man who is led by the Lord and is supposed to lead the congregation in the direction the Lord leads him. But the minute he tries to do that, the deacons are all over him saying we don’t want you to preach on this or that, but you need to preach more on tithing so we can get our collections up.  He is supposed to be listening to God, not man, and preachers if you allow them to tell you what to preach, you are failing the congregation, yourself, and most importantly God! Preachers if you are watering down your messages or avoiding the hard messages for the sake of raising your membership, you are failing. Preachers if your messages are self-righteous and mean, you are failing. Jesus preached all of God’s word in a spirit of love. He did not condone sin, but he loved the sinner! Churches.

            Deacons, read 1 Timothy 3:8-13. Your positions in the church come with just as high expectations as the preacher. Being a deacon should not be looked at like a title to be reverenced, your position, as well as every other position within the church, is to serve. You are there first and foremost to serve God, then to help the pastor, better serve the congregation. If you are doing it for recognition or any other reason you are wrong. Jesus told his disciples to feed his sheep. That is your directive and purpose, to assist the church in any way you can to accomplish that mission.

            Churches, if sinners are not welcome to come, as they are, you are wrong! That kind of thinking may work fine for your bridge clubs or country clubs, but it has no place in God’s church. Let’s be honest for a moment if sinners aren’t welcome, the building would be empty, for we are all sinners. A church is like a sanctuary or a hospital for the soul. If those who are sin-sick aren’t welcome, then who is? God tells people to come as they are, then when they show up at your doors, you tell them there is a dress code, or they have to meet certain criteria before they are welcomed inside! That is the same thinking that Jesus got upset with the Pharisees and Sadducees of his day. They had evolved so far away from God’s word and replaced it with their customs and beliefs they were no longer following the will of God. When the church’s main focus becomes more about beautifying the sanctuary, expanding its fellowship hall, or even having the most beautiful-looking and sounding choir, you are wrong!  The purpose of the church should be about reaching and saving lost souls. And if your church isn’t about the Father’s business, quit calling it a church and start the social club of your dreams.

            Church members, Proverbs 6:16-19 says, “These things the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among the brethren.” Ifyou belong to one of these little clicks that spread gossip, stir up trouble, and distract from the mission of the church, this is who these verses describe. Get out of that click immediately, ask God for forgiveness, and start busying yourself with what all Christians are called to do.

            I’m not writing this to attack the churches, I love the church. Because I love the church, I don’t want to see them die. But if the church has a cancer we must first identify it. Then cut it out at its core. If we are not united in serving the same Spirit, then how are we ever going to succeed? The Bible tells us that a house divided can- not stand. I don’t know, maybe the offices within the church should consider term limits. Because if that inner circle has lost its way and refuses to return to Jesus being the head of the church, that church is doomed!

            Here is a short version of the messages to the seven churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. I think they are sound advice to all churches.

            *Return to their first love

            *Stand up and stand for what is right

            *Wake up to what is going on all around you

            *Spend your money on accomplishing God’s missions

            *Rebuke sin and remain faithful to God

            *Jesus is returning and we should be harvesting souls

            *There are false believers among the church

            *The church should repent for conforming to the world

            *Warns against false idols

            I want to reiterate one thing, all this is not meant as an attack on the church or its people, My prayer is that someone may read this and get inspired to make whatever changes need to be made to save their church. If your church is flourishing and God is blessing your works, then I applaud you and give praise to God. But even if your church is healthy and doing well, please heed the warnings in this message, because if you are doing the Lord’s work, don’t think for a minute that your church isn’t on Satan’s hit list. 1^st Peter 5:8 says,” Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

            And to you preachers, Deacons, Teachers, singers, janitors, and every other person who has denied themselves, picked up Jesus’s cross, and are following him, I want to give you my personal thanks and remind you how important your role is to the Body of Christ. I dedicate this verse to each of you. Romans 10:15 says, “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things. This verse isn’t just for preachers, it is talking about all who take seriously their part in spreading God’s word.

Note From the Editor:

If this story offended you, I beg you to search your soul as to why it did, and use it to edify yourself and or your church. I don’t know the number of times the preacher delivered a message that put a fire to my feet. God’s word has a way of pointing out where we have gone astray and reminds us, we need to make corrections. But like any good Father, he chastises us because he loves us, and is preparing us for something greater.

Scripture of the Day:   Proverbs 3:11-12

“My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; Neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”