DOES THE PUBLIC THINK YOUR CHURCH IS “MAD! ”?


“If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad? ... I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” 1 Corinthians 14:23. 18-20. (For “mad”, the Greek text uses the word “mainomai”. This is the origin for “maniac”.)

We should not be surprised that the gift of tongues creates controversy for the modern church. It did so in the Apostolic day. Now as then, the gift arouses unusual reactions. For the Corinthians, when miraculous tongues should have been a holy encounter with God it became an embarrassment for their community. A spiritual blessing was reduced to mere human excitement. They had a party; Paul had a panic. Instead of taking sides with the church the Apostle took sides with the unbelievers. Why did he do that? Why was he more concerned for the unbeliever than for the church’s legitimate right to speak in tongues?’”

The answer is obvious. Paul’s priority was that the unbeliever not be chased from the church, but remain, hear the gospel, and be saved. Though the church’s liberty to speak in tongues was valid it was secondary to its work of evangelism. Transfer the Corinthian-crisis to many of today’s charismatic churches. Through a variety of abuses–tongues being only one of them–numerous churches are chasing off unsaved visitors as fast as they come. Instead of feeling welcomed, the people are repelled by excess. It matters not whether the problem is tongues or ear-splitting music, blasting shofars, tiresome services, flag wavers, etc. Paul would be just as angered at any one of our abuses today.

The Apostle explained his attitude: “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.” 1 Corinthians 9:19-24.

Thousands of conscientious Christians are leaving denominational churches weekly and looking for new places to worship. Many have seen the “hand writing on the wall” and are abandoning their sinking ships. Even Southern Baptist Churches are on the endangered list. It is estimated at their present rate of decrease the Southern Baptist Convention will be gone in just five generations. Many Lutheran, Methodist, Episcopalian bodies will not last that long. Seekers from these declining churches are visiting Charismatic Churches. They need a safe haven. Wise churches welcome these wanderers, provide them with compassion, an opportunity to worship, give them acceptance and a safe-haven. But that rarely happens. When these new comers appear on the back row they encounter a similar reception for which Paul chastised the Corinthians. The newcomers hear no familiar songs, see nothing similar to their past, and are blasted out by the noise. In time they become “drop outs” from the Kingdom. How tragic! Paul would be outraged.

Before going farther, I must say what my heart believes: Charismatic Churches that are needlessly struggling and dying could reverse that condition overnight if they would listen to Paul’s advice. Use common sense! Stop scaring off the ones God wants you to convert!

Before you think I am anti-tongues (or shofars, flags, etc.) I wish to relate some of my personal history. First of all, I am a total believer in the gift of tongues. My baptism in the Spirit more than 30 years ago and my humbling encounter with the gift was the most awesome, ministry-changing experience of my life. For years, as a pastor, I had mocked the gift of tongues, publicly denounced it from the pulpit, and ridiculed those who believed in it. In my opinion those weird people were moronic and brainless. Nor was I alone in that view. To most of the world–Christian or non-Christian–the very thought of someone’s claiming to speak in unknown tongues is repugnant, offensive. But I learned the hard way that the gift was not only real but that one of its’ works was to expose my religious ego and pride. It does that even in people who do not believe in it. How?! The contempt, anger, rebellion, people show toward the gift is simply the revelation of their inner-person. Every time I ridiculed the gift, I was merely responding to its’ ability to make me disclose my true self. It is important that you see this aspect of the gift’s operation. I repeat: One of the primary works of tongues is to force a person to expose his religious rebellion. People do not respond to other gifts as vehemently as they do to tongues. Words of knowledge, wisdom, faith, do not draw such fire. Tongues draws fire because that is part of its work. Hear this:
“God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.” 1 Corinthians 1:27-30. No where else in Scripture is the work of tongues better identified than in this passage.

The truth of this Scripture ultimately exploded in my heart like a hand-grenade. I found myself face-on-the-floor begging God for forgiveness and for the privilege to experience the gift. Once my eyes were opened to its absolute reliability and that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable”–that including tongues–I felt without it I would die. There was a point during my travail that I underwent what the Greek text identifies as agonizomai–an agonizing struggle. It is impossible to describe that kind of spiritual anguish.

When the gift finally appeared in me (alone in my Baptist Church office) I spoke distinctly in seven or eight separate dialects. These ranged in sound from Oriental to French to Native American. I am convinced the final one was Hebrew. Please know that I am not ignorant of other languages. In my teenage years I was fluent in Spanish, in college took an introductory course to French, and had two years of Greek at Columbia Theological Seminary. What I spoke in tongues was real. Few of us hard-line preachers realize that speaking in tongues does not climax in itself. It is the “watch guard” at the gate that protects the other gifts. I Conthians 12. After experiencing tongues other works of the Spirit suddenly began flooding out of me in ways that can only be described as phenomenal. Injuries were healed, lives rescued, minds restored, addicts freed, the demonized delivered, with other miraculous signs becoming common-place.

Traveling as I do I am in some truly great churches that flow freely in the gifts of the Spirit. God is worshiped, the congregation is edified and unbelievers are saved in every service. Prophecy, healing, tongues, other gifts, move normally during worship. In these meetings the Holy Spirit does not repel people. He draws them to Christ. But!, while seeing the best I also see the rest. In some Charismatic Churches I witness an imitation of spiritual gifts that frightens me. Human emotion replaces holy order. In some cases the people have left the Holy Spirit and reverted to their earthy feelings. In these places a substitution is taking place. It is this:

Human excitement is gradually replacing the Holy Spirit’s authentic presence. Most people do not recognize the change.

Some of this is emotion out of control. Congregations do not always give the Holy Spirit the courtesy of awaiting His arrival. Instead they act as if He is automatically there if they wave flags, jump, blow shofars, blast the music, and clap their hands. He comes at their command. Not so. In these cases, exhilaration satisfies the emotional need; Presumption takes control. Kenneth Hagin use to say, “If the music moves your feet more than your soul you have a problem.” King Saul committed this sin of rushing ahead when he refused to wait for the prophet Samuel and offered the sacrifice himself. I Samuel 13:10-14 That was his point of rejection by God.

After several years coaxing from a Christian friend certain unbelievers finally consented to attend a meeting where I was speaking. Tragically, when the service began they encountered such weirdness that it immediately sent them running. This was exactly what Paul warned against. These people arrived unsaved and left unsaved–totally convinced that the congregation was “mad”. Will they be back? No.

Years ago on national T.V. an Episcopalian clergyman said of his denomination, “If the Holy Spirit were to withdraw from the church 80% of our work would carry on as if nothing happened.” The hearers were shocked–but what he said was true. But hear me: I am willing to repeat that clergyman’s statement in regard to the future of many charismatic churches. To their satisfaction, they have mastered the art of worship with music that electrifies the body, dancers and flag-wavers that excite the eye, and excesses in a number of other ways. If that fails they can always turn up the P.A. volume.

I am grieved to tell you this: Several times, as a guest speaker, I have had to leave the pulpit and go to the office or lobby to wait-out the attack. The noise was unbearable. In one church when I went to the foyer I found it filled with visitors who had also fled the service. A very safe guess would be that once the “worship”was over they never came back. Does that fit Paul’s description of church madness? Absolutely. The most horrific moment of all came once when a matron bounded onto the platform dressed in a child-sized costume and did an interpretive dance to one of my favorite hymns. As a nine year-old, my grandson asked me to take him out of a service because the noise was giving him a headache.

When people quote Psalm 33:3 to me, “Play skillfully with a loud noise”, I remind them that was before the days of electronic amplifiers and that the Tabernacle of David was outdoors. In that day a zero-percent of the population had lost its hearing from loud music. Today, approximately 22,000,000, Americans have experienced permanent hearing damage because of exposure to musical noise. Jesus came to “open the ears of the deaf”, not to increase their problem. He meant the church to be a haven, not a hazard

Please know, I don’t look at the church as it is now. I try to see it a hundred years down the road. If history repeats itself the abuses we are accepting now (and the traditions we are establishing) will become unrecognizable doctrines a century into the future. Lord help! May Christ come before that happens! Here is what I mean: During one service a young man ran through the congregation blowing a police whistle. In another, an old man walked about carrying a machine that blew bubbles into the air. Everybody had opportunity to do “his thing”. Someone says, “That is freedom, Brother!” No, it isn’t! It is religious silliness and has no place in the church. Paul’s criteria for congregational conduct is expressed in a few simple statements and such carrying on as that does not survive the test. Everything the church does should pass these qualifications: Is it expedient, does it edify, is it childish or manly, is it decent and orderly, is it based on Scripture? Here is the foundation:

1. “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient,
2. All things are lawful for me, but all things do not edify.” 1 Corinthians 10:23.
3. “When I became a man, I put away childish things.” 13:11.
4. “Let all things be done decently and in order.” 14:40.
5. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

The Holy Spirit will prove His sovereignty by performing “signs and wonders” that are completely beyond our power or control. Thank God for that! For that reason I always caution congregations, “Do not fake anything. If you fake something that is all you will get — fakery. Don’t expect the Lord’s reality.” I once had to stop the message, speak to a woman who was performing her own falsetto, tell her to sit down and be quiet. The Holy Spirit does not compete with Himself. At that point in the service the gospel was being preached. The Word of God had priority over her, me, and everyone else in the room. I believe in the sovereign move of God and have committed myself to being sensitive to it. When I preached in Westminster Chapel, London–a church steeped in Reformed Theology and sovereign-grace preaching–we saw that sophisticated congregation laid-out under the sovereign power of the Holy Spirit. Several times in Toronto at the Airport Fellowship thousands were “floored” by Him. I believe in that! I experience that! I welcome that! What I don’t want is self-induced silliness pretending to be the work of the Sovereign Lord!

What I am longing for is the scene of charismatic worship in the 1970's when entire congregations fell into deep, deep encounters with God. Like priests at the dedication of Solomon's Temple, we were prostrate on the floor with a Glory Cloud filling the building. Voices would drop to the level of a murmur as we left the Outer Court of the Tabernacle, slid under the veil, and rose up in the Shekinah Glory of the Holy of Holies. I long for that kind of worship to return. Few congregations are even aware of its possibility.

The nearest to Heaven-on-earth I've ever been was once in Sierra Leon, West Africa, when the worship became an uninterrupted, angelic-like chorus of tongues. No instruments were used and voices rose and fell, wave-like, as worshipers sang in the Spirit. I Corinthians 14:15. Some 17 different tribal languages were present in that huge auditorium but they all disappeared as “tongues of men and angels” transformed everyone’s voice into one, spiritual song of the Lord. Never before and never since, have I experienced reverence and adoration of God so real, so magnificent! Suddenly, it lifted the congregation above earth’s noise and clamor into the glory of Heaven. Had unbelievers been present they would have been lifted also. That day–for the first time–I think I experienced what Issac Watts wrote in a hymn in the 1700's. He said:

“There shall I bathe my weary soul in seas of heavenly rest
And not a wave of trouble roll across my peaceful breast.”

How can the church “become all things to all men .” in the sense that it remains sensitive to the unbeliever and also provides believers with opportunity to worship in the “power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit”? I can only tell you how I would do it were I a pastor again. Sunday mornings would be evangelical in purpose and all other meetings charismatic in power. That balance can be maintained to the honor of God the Father and without compromising our responsibility to the Holy Spirit. Keep in mind it was the Holy Spirit who prompted Paul to take the pro-unbeliever position. The Holy Spirit will be pleased when today’s Charismatic Churches do the same. Amen! Chas

AMERICA!
YOUR GODLY HERITAGE IS BEING STOLEN FROM YOU
BY WICKED POLITICIANS. THROW THEM OUT!
50 State Constitutions Acknowledge Almighty God
Our National Anthem Acknowledges God
Our Money Says “In God We Trust”
Our Declaration of Independence
Calls On Him For Aid, But
Our Foundations
Will Soon Be
Gone!

Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama , invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution.

Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.

Arizona 1911, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...

Arkansas 1874, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...

California 1879, Preamble. We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom.

Colorado 1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe.

Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.

Delaware 1897, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshiping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.

Florida 1885, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Florida , grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...

Georgia 1777, Preamble. We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...

Hawaii 1959, Preamble. We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance, Establish this Constitution.

Idaho 1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freed om, to secure its blessings.

Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
Indiana 1851, Preamble We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choos e our form of government.

Iowa 1857, Preamble We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings establish this Constitution.

Kansas 1859, Preamble . We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.

Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties...

Louisiana 1921, Preamble We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.

Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity. And imploring His aid and direction.

Maryland 1776, Preamble We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty.

Massachusetts 1780, Preamble We, the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe .. In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction ..

Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this Constitution.

Minnesota, 1857, Preamble . We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:

Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Al mighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.

Missouri 1845, Preamble . We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness, Establish this Constitution .

Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution

Nebraska 1875, Preamble . We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom . Establish this Constitution.

Nevada 1864, Preamble . We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution

New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V . Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.

New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
New Mexico 1911, Preamble . We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty ...

New York 1846, Preamble. . We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.

North Carolina 1868, Preamble . We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those ...

North Dakota 1889, Preamble . We, the people of North Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain ...

Ohio 1852, Preamble . We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common

Oklahoma 1907, Preamble . Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty establish this ...

Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences..

Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of Pennsylvania , grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance ...

Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing ...

South Carolina, 1778, Preamble. We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

South Dakota 1889, Preamble . We, the people of South Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties ...

Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...

Texas 1845, Preamble . We the People of the Republic of Texas , acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.

Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.

Vermont 1777, Preamble . Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man ...

Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other ...

Washington 1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution.
West Virginia 1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...

Wisconsin 1848, Preamble We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility ...

Wyoming 1890, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties ... establish this Constitution.


Benjamin Franklin’s Appeal For Prayer At The 1787 Constitutional Convention

We have arrived, Mr. President ... at a very momentous and interesting crisis in our deliberations. Hitherto our views have been as harmonious, and our progress as great as could reasonably have been expected. But now an unlooked for and formidable obstacle is thrown in our way, which threatens to arrest our course, and, if not skillfully removed, to render all our fond hopes of a constitution abortive ...
Before I sit down, Mr. President, I will suggest another matter; and I am really surprised that it has not been proposed by some other member at an earlier period of our deliberations. I will suggest, Mr. President, that propriety of nominating and appointing, before we separate, a chaplain to this Convention, whose duty it shall be uniformly to assemble with us, and introduce the business of each day by an address to the Creator of the universe, and the Governor of all nations, beseeching Him to preside in our council, enlighten our minds with a portion of heavenly wisdom, influence our hearts with a love of truth and justice, and crown our labors with complete and abundant success!

From that point on the Convention met with great success success! America, reclaim your honor as a Christian nation!


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