Soon after the sleeping church has left the busy busy church comes knocking on the watchman’s door. “You idling fellow, come out and confront us! When have we missed the mark?”
It is indeed quite a sight. The busy busy senior pastor has a container load of stuff, proving he has done so so much during the last ten years. Programs, rallies, camps, seminars, training, TV, radio, internet, motivation, retreat, revival, you name them and he has them! It is very impressive. His chairman also displays photos showing how impressive their church building is, really ultra modern comfort and convenience, and expensive high tech stuff. Their attendance number is impressive too.
The pastor and church board chairman demand that the watchman proves where they have erred. Oh, yes, they have met the sleeping church on their way and have a glance of the list of non-sleeping church characteristics. They say, “It is too general. We want the specifics!”
So the watchman brings out another list, named, “the Non-busy-busy-missing-mark-church” Bible-based characteristics.
1. Worship God and not worship man.
2. Minister to God and not to man.
4. Hear and Fear God and not hear and fear man.
5. Focus on Jesus Christ and His redemptive work on the cross.
6. Believe in the Bible and practice accordingly.
7. All aspects of the church activities are centered on the above.
8. All aspects of the lives of the believers are centered on the above.
9. Very end times focussed, just as Jesus has commanded and the Apostles have duly obeyed. So did the early Christians.
10. There is an increasing intensity of the moving and manifestation of the Holy Spirit in all aspects of above.
11. There is deep conviction by the Holy Spirit when the Word of God is read, and all will repent!
“BUT THIS IS THE SAME LIST AS THAT OF THE OTHER CHURCH!” The chairman and senior pastor exclaim.
The watchman tells them that he has no other list but this one. He also cannot change the list as he is just a messenger and not the author of the list. Yes, he is not original. He is not creative. He is not resourceful. He is not politically correct… (He admits to the accusations hurled at him by the other two) However, he reminds them that there is one additional item on this list, ‘Repentance’.
The two men turn red in their face and shout, “But there are no specifics, so how can they be implemented effectively?”
“Oh, that is easy”, the watchman explains, “you just need the Holy Spirit and the Word of God- the plumb line of God to guide you.”
So the busy-busy-missing-the-mark church leaves with their list and container load of stuff.
Once again, the watchman cries, “Oh, church, watch and pray!”
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