Looking for A Church? Beware!

Looking for a Church? Beware!

Sandala Mwanje

Introduction

The other day I read the following Facebook post by a friend who has moved from Zambia to South Africa. Her post read, “Didn’t go to church today, I need a Church.”

One of her friends commented by saying, “Ha Churches are a bit hard to find. Ignore those shrines using the name Jesus with a cross on top of their buildings. Take your time.”

In her Facebook post, I sensed the frustration of a someone looking for true fellowship. A sheep yearning for a shepherd’s voice but can’t hear any yet!

The advice that was given to our dear sister was, “ignore those shrines using the name Jesus…” This was a worthy advice! Christ warned his disciples when he said to them, “… Watch and beware of the leaven of the pharisees and Sadducee” (Matt 16:6). At first the disciples didn’t understand what the Lord meant but later on they understood that he was telling them to beware of the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducee. In saying this, Christ was implying that, grains of truth may be found in the teachings of the Pharisees but that they ought to be careful not to follow them all the way because they too will fall in the ditch.  Today there are many who gather in the “name of Jesus” but for most, Jesus is just a trade name. They have there own agenda, and their god is the belly. My dear sister (and others like her, looking for a biblical church), as you continue to search for a church to attend, here are some warnings I pray you will heed.  

Beware when instead of “Church” they are called a “Ministry”

The word “Church has significant biblical implications. There is no where in the Bible where a Church was called a “ministry.” Churches everywhere were identified as Churches (1Cor 1:1; Gal 1:2; Revelation 2-3)  There is no Biblical warrant to  replace the word  “church” to whatever our opinions may be. Just watch out!

Beware when the Church’s yearly themes run like:

a.       2010 “ acceptable year of the Lord’s favor”

b.      2011 “ God is raising the standard for you”

c.       2012 “ They year of unprecedented blessings”

d.      2013 “ Come and receive the blessing that the enemy cannot touch”

e.       2014 “ The year of break through”

These themes have one thing in common: God is viewed as an ATM – “just push the right buttons and the money comes out”.  Second, man-centered religion seeks to gratify man’s fleshly desires. Third, we exist for God (Colossians 1:15-19), but they make God exist for us. God must be worshiped for who He is, we were made for Him and everything was made for Him.

Beware when their Minister does not know the meaning of the word, “Exposition”

The Pastor’s main duty is to preach the word (2Tim4:2). Christ called this exercise as “feeding his lambs” (John 21:15-19). God’s people should be given God’s word and not the Pastor’s opinion, or his dreams or his travel stories. In order to determine if what you are hearing is God’s word or not, simply ask yourself these three important questions; (a) Is what the man of God saying what God said to the original recipients of the message? (b) Is what the man of God saying in agreement with the context of the text? (c) Beware if the man of God is not letting Scripture interpret Scripture.

Beware when their music is being used for entertainment rather than worship!

Is the music being used to worship God or to entertain the worshiper? Remember that the Father is seeking those who will worship Him in truth and in spirit (John 4:21). We must maintain that worship will naturally take place when the creature is struck with the awesome nature of the Creator.This I would say is the beginning of true worship. God is Holy. This alone should explain the reverence and awe with which, as Scripture constantly tells us, holy men were struck whenever they became aware of the overwhelming presence of God. Abraham got humbler as he got closer to God (Gen 18:27). Elijah was unable to stand with his face uncovered (1Kings 19:13). Isaiah realized his sin to its root (Isa 24:23). From these examples, we learn that God is infinitely great and that there is none like Him!

If the greatness of God evokes worship, what is the greatest task of the worship leader?

Beware of Churches that promise you quick results!

We are living in a fast paced world.  It’s a micro wave generation and thus anything quick is most appealing. The cliche statements run something like this;

“Touch the screen and receive the anointing”

“Or type “Amen” and expect a blessing from God by the end of this day”

“Five steps to success, Seed money, Miracle money, Miracle husband or wife”

As for the prayers, they sound something like this, “We refuse the power of the devil…” We claim…” “We demand…” “We break…”

Again, this is a micro wave approach to life and we must know that quick fixes also break quickly. The Bible does not say, “Just refuse the power of the devil” it says, “for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God…” (Eph 6:12). The Bible further calls us to resist the devil and to submit to God if we want the devil to flee from us. The only reason such cliches appeal to us is that they promise a quick fixing of our arch enemy and our problems. We don’t want to go through the struggle of daily fighting him, of daily submitting to God, daily denying the flesh as the Bible commands. The other huge lie that our generation has accepted is the idea of quick success. They tell us that “God wants you to be successful, rich, healthy etc then comes the killer punch- “Come for deliverance” or “Type Amen to claim this blessing today.” These dreamers forget that from the very beginning, God ordained hard work as a means through which we can sustain ourselves and get the needs and wants of life. Therefore to suppose that the devil will leave us alone without us daily putting on the whole armor of God and that we will be successful by merely typing “Amen” is mere nonsense! Beware of churches that promise you quick fixes because the Christian life is not a 100m dash but a marathon!

Beware!

Lastly before you settle for your favorite preacher or Church, make sure you understand what they believe. False teachers should not just be judged by what they are saying but also by what they are not saying.  Beware the devil is in the details! It’s unwise to fall in love with a preacher just because he dresses well, says a few smart statements, performs miracles etc. Understand their position on the whole Counsel of God and let them declare it and live it out (Acts 20:27). Paul advised Timothy to, “Watch his life and doctrine” (1Tim 4:16). Make sure you understand what they believe about;

a.       The Bible- Authority, sufficiency, Inspiration etc

b.      God- His nature and attributes etc

c.       The Person and work of Christ

d.      The person and work of the Holy Spirit

e.       Salvation- Justification by grace through faith

f.       The Angels- Good and bad ones, Origin and work of Angels

g.       The Church- Composition, Officers, Ordinances , Church discipline, Mission etc

h.      Sin- Definition, Origin, Effects, Consequences, Remedy

i.        Man- Composition, Marriage issues etc

j.        The End Times- Christ’ return, Judgement, Hell, Heaven

In other words, spiritual issues are a matter of life and death. Therefore, it is unloving to self to entrust your soul to a preacher you don’t fully know.

  

Conclusion

My prayer is that God’s sheep will be led to a sheepfold where they will find under-shepherds who operate under the authority of the Great Shepherd. Once you find such a church, join it and faithfully minister in that congregation.  God bless you.