The Link between Holiness & Healing XIII

Wednesday 06/26/13

Topic: The Fear of the Lord & Healing

Series – And He Healed them all:

The Link between Holiness & Healing XIII.mp3

Key Text:

Rev. 2

Working through Revelation 2…

This is our second session in which we broke into small groups and outlined the second chapter of Revelation. The groups discussed tho things Jesus said to the churches, comparing similarities and differences.

The brief recording only reflects the brief time we assembled before and after these small groups.

One of the things which was brought up in this session was the “tolerance” of the church of Thyatira. Even though MUCH of what Jesus said to the church of Pergamos & Thyatira were the same, the primary difference was that Pergamos contained those who held to and practiced evil while the church of Thyatira actually tolerated evil teaching of a woman who was a false prophetess as well.

While discussing this, it reminded me of the tolerance of our Post-modern church area and one particular example of such destructive teachings being embraced by those who once followed Christ. I refrained from naming names during the discussion, but the man I am referring to is Rob Bell. The following interview between Andrew Wilson & Rob Bell reveals how such “tolerance” is an expression of self-seeking which is evidenced by the resulting confusion which is abundantly clear in Mr. Bell’s replies.

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” ~ James 3:13-18

Rob Bell’s confusion is SO ABUNDANTLY evident in that he almost NEVER directly answers a single question that is posed to him. A few times Andrew pins him down and you get a quick response, but other than that there seems to be a total disconnect in Bell’s mind between the questions he is asked and the answers he supplies. He seems incapable of actually comprehending the question in a lucid enough manner to supply a relevant answer. In the end, Bell only reverts back to his scripturally unsupported agenda he is attempting to promote.

Please click on the “Read More” button to see the video…

Ultimately this dialog reminds me of the 37th psalm. The reason is because if one were to use the subjective measuring stick of the world, one would think that God’s hand is upon Bell in that he has prospered in his way, from the very beginning of his “ministry” until now. However, we cannot allow “popularity” to be an indicator of success. When the world’s leading media “paint’s you pretty” and lauds you as one of the world’s most influential people…beware.

Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets. “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” ~ Luke 6:26-28

A picture of his rapid deterioration can be seen in a side by side comparison of Bell in 2011 and two years later in 2013.

“Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.

Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.

He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;

Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.

For evildoers shall be cut off;

But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth.

For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more.

But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” ~ Psalm 37:1-11

For more concerning this discussion please listen to the recording.

Pastor Mark

View posts by Pastor Mark

Hi my name is Mark and though I am opposed to titles, I am currently the only Pastor (shepherd/elder) serving our assembly right now.

I have been Pastoring in one capacity or another for nearly 30 years now, though never quite like I am today.

Early in 2009 the Lord revealed to me that the way we had structured our assembly (church) was not scriptural in that it was out of sync with what Paul modeled for us in the New Testament. In truth, I (like many pastors I am sure) never even gave this fundamental issue of church structure the first thought. I had always assumed that church structure was largely the same everywhere and had been so from the beginning. While I knew Paul had some very stringent things to say about the local assembly of believers, the point of our gatherings together and who may or may not lead, I never even considered studying these issues but assumed we were all pretty much doing it right...safety in numbers right?! Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong!

So needless to say, my discovery that we had been doing it wrong for nearly two decades was a bit of a shock to me! Now, this "revelation" did not come about all at once but over the course of a few weeks. We were a traditional single pastor led congregation. It was a top-bottom model of ministry which is in part biblical, but not in the form of a monarchy.

The needed change did not come into focus until following 9 very intense months of study and discussions with those who were leaders in our church at the time.

We now understand and believe that the Bible teaches co-leadership with equal authority in each local assembly. Having multiple shepherds with God's heart and equal authority protects both Shepherds and sheep. Equal accountability keeps authority and doctrine in check. Multiple shepherds also provide teaching with various styles and giftings with leadership skills which are both different and complementary.

For a while we had two co-pastors (elders) (myself and one other man) who led the church with equal authority, but different giftings. We both taught in our own ways and styles, and our leadership skills were quite different, but complimentary. We were in complete submission to each other and worked side-by-side in the labor of shepherding the flock.

Our other Pastor has since moved on to other ministry which has left us with just myself. While we currently only have one Pastor/Elder, it is our desire that God, in His faithfulness and timing, may bring us more as we grow in maturity and even in numbers.

As to my home, I have been married since 1995 to my wonderful wife Terissa Woodson who is my closest friend and most trusted ally.

As far as my education goes, I grew up in a Christian home, but questioned everything I was ever taught.

I graduated from Bible college in 1990 and continued to question everything I was ever taught (I do not mention my college in order to avoid being labeled).

Perhaps my greatest preparation for ministry has been life and ministry itself. To quote an author I have come to enjoy namely Fredrick Buechner in his writing entitled, Now and Then, "If God speaks to us at all other than through such official channels as the Bible and the church, then I think that He speaks to us largely through what happens to us...if we keep our hearts open as well as our ears, if we listen with patience and hope, if we remember at all deeply and honestly, then I think we come to recognize beyond all doubt, that, however faintly we may hear Him, He is indeed speaking to us, and that, however little we may understand of it, His word to each of us is both recoverable and precious beyond telling." ~ Fredrick Buechner

Well that is about all there is of interest to tell you about me.

I hope our ministry here is a blessing to you and your family. I also hope that it is only a supplement to a local church where you are committed to other believers in a community of grace.

~God Bless!