The 95 Thesis (Remix)
This blog is not really contain a modern version of the modern day ‘95 Thesis’, but it is written in the spirit of someone who thinks it is time for the church to come together for issues of debate. Martin Luther was not a big dissenter, but someone who wanted the people to come together with attempt to get them on one accord by sparking debate.
The bible speaks of a people being on one accord and miracles happened. “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”Acts 2:1-4. This happened after Jesus ascended back to heaven forty days after his Resurrection. Remember this. (There will be a point later).
I write this as someone who grew up in church. I sang in the choir, ushered, prayed, Sunday school, vacation bible school, danced, wrote and edited the newsletter, operated cameras and microphones, youth day, mens day, taught bible class. I have done a lot. All of this was in me and it got me to know who God is at an early age. In that, I got lost in the mindset of good church behavior was good Christ-like behavior. And that as long as no one saw, then it was okay and I can ask for forgiveness. As I got older and really began to need God like never before, i did not know what to do. I knew to pray, i new to take it to the alter, but I did not know how to really call upon the power of God.
I got to the point where I knew that I needed to get rid of religion and get into a relationship with God. I joined a new church where my pastor was teaching about the Kingdom of God. And how we are to be building the Kingdom of God here. This got me to thinking about a lot of the ‘church’ i had been in all my life. Ill never forget when Hurricane Katrina hit he posed the question, “Why didn’t the church have a fleet of buses to give aid to the victims?” God has kept the ‘Kingdom’ in my mind, my heart and my meditations. I now think what I can do in order to help build God’s Kingdom, serve God’s people, and minister to the people of God the importance of building a relationship with Him.
I then moved away and I am in a place full of tradition and traditional church. Doing the same old same old. I am young and I want my talents to be used by God in a grand scale, not for notoriety, but the Gospel of Jesus is so great that it is bigger than Sunday service. It starts with the church changing its whole mind from being the ‘ social club’ to the Kingdom. Everything we do as followers of Christ, must line up with the Kingdom. It is time for the Kingdom church, not the church still bound by tradition, or denomination, to rise up and take its position in this nation. Its when people of God with the mind of God to serve people and not judge people’s lifestyles, but offer them a divine alternative one to prosper them. When the people of God have the attitude of God when he says in Jeremiah 29:11″ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil,”. It is the people who want to make a difference in the lives of everyone, regardless of race, background, credit history, social class, income or family ties. This is what kingdom is about, getting people connected with God and not just the church building.
I also thought about the way the church does some of its out reach. I have been in and experienced both extremes. When I was growing up our out reach had a three block radius inviting people to Vacation Bible School or the Mens Conference. Thats not too good circulation. We prayed before we went out, but most of us were young in age and in maturity. We did not have the burden for Kingdom, because we weren’t taught Kingdom. Then there are those ministers who have the name and power of God all over them, but there is a registration fee for the Gospel. In some ways the way we have been witnessing has been a little pushy instead of inviting. We will offer someone to church in a heartbeat, but will we invite someone to intercessory prayer on behalf of college students? There is this national movement of the church being more stern and judgmental than most conservative judges. Excluding everyone that God wants included.
In my thought of out reach I was thinking, about all the gifts that God has given man since the beginning of time. Look at the advances in medical, computer, automotive, aeronautical, technology. Information is sent in a mere matter of seconds where centuries ago, books were rare and in short supply. I am sure that there are many people of God who are doctors, lawyers, politicians, entertainers, and artists. They all have a place in the kingdom and reaching out to people in a non judgmental, hypocritical, condescending way. The church needs to first band together on ‘One Accord’ as the early church did. Gather together all the doctors and form hospitals ran by the church, providing free health care for God’s people. Imagine knowing someone who has the gift of medicine can reach a non-believer through health care. Just knowing that you can get healed physically and spiritually, thats a real hospital. Outreach. God’s people should be given access to a network of attorneys that they can trust that will make wise legal decisions. The internet is a great medium in which to share information and the traditional church is sitting back and saying its evil, but the Kingdom mind set is to bombard the love and compassion of God via the internet to let people know that there is an alternative. I believe that true people of God, who know really follows the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus, should be in legislation, representing the people of God making sure His will be done from the pulpit to Capitol Hill.
This is my 95 Thesis. I challenge the church to put aside denominational divisions and band together for the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The bible that we all read is so clear in Acts 2:1, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” I encourage you to read Acts 2, because it paints a clear picture of what God wants to do in this season with the church. It shows us what happens when we get together regardless of mortal prejudices and divisions to seek instruction from God. The two verses in Acts 2 says “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” This is what happens when the church gets together for the glory of God. No where in this chapter was it mentioned that the church was having an ushers anniversary. They were not on JNN (Jerusalem News Network) waisting words and debating moot points. They were not out selling their stories to get a book deal to capitalize on their experience from walking with Jesus. They were together, seeking God and preaching Kingdom. They even made sure that everyone had enough food, clothing, and money just because they had it to share. No one had to do anything but work in the Kingdom. Thats Kingdom, and thats where the present church needs to be.
Once we get on a true accord, things in this world would drastically change. I am not talking theocracy, but people using God’s gifts for God’s purpose and His people.
–Mark Terrance II
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