Good morning everyone!
How many of you came to church this morning ready to hear the Word of God? Raise your hands... Good, because I'm going to give you just that!
Is everyone getting comfortable in their seats this morning?
Because there's a pretty good chance that I'm about to change that..
This morning, there is a heavy burden on my heart..
One of those messages that no Pastor looks forward to preaching..
For many years, I have watched, as the church, that was once broken and saddened
by the condition of the world, has now become more and more like the world.
I have witnessed Pastors, having fewer weekly services, avoiding certain books in the Bible, that are "too controversial or simply irrelevant in today's world", teaching less and less of what Scriptures say, adding more jokes and gimmicks, musicals, just to please people.
And the reason for all of this is quite simple!
It allows them to be entertained at church, have more free time for pleasure, then seeking the Face of God.
Let's face it, we're living in a time where churches dismiss services a little early, so that people can hurry home, watch the Super bowl, the championship fights, and the World series.
A time when men are seeking out the pleasures of this life and not the will of God!
Scripture proclaims:
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
Hebrews 10:25
And the result of not obeying this is:
"For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries."
Hebrews 10:26-27
It's as though, I'm watching a bad movie, whereas the church is looking more worldly then Godly.
Holiness has taken a backseat to Hell!
Hell has intimidated the church and the body of Christ to the point where they are making up their
own rules!
And to the world, the word of God to them, is legalism and they want no
part of it!
We live in a time where "time to myself" has replaced family time.
Our cellphones get the attention, once given to our children, and God!
Where families no longer, or seldom gather together and read the Bible after dinner.
Where families, seldom, if ever, pray together, and when they do, they're so distracted by everything around them, it doesn't even begin to touch the heart of God.
The church is crying out to God for answers to their sorrows, their prayers, all the while, saying I just don't have the time to study Your Word, to commune with You, or worship You!
You understand, don't You? I'm just too busy to attend church, right now, the kids have soccer practice, dance class, and piano lessons. I know You're always there for me God, and when I need something, I call out to, OK?
I have just one thing to say to all of that!
"These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”
Matthew 15:8-9
I never thought I'd see a time when prayer meetings have no anguish in prayer, no hearts weeping, no brokenness.
A time of no remorse and repentance of sins, no earnest desire to know God, or grow close to or to have an intimate relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ.
When the game on our televisions have replaced our vision of the day of the coming of the Lord, there is something terribly wrong with our spirituality!
"Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
But happy is he who keeps the law."
Proverbs 29:18
We've become so obsessed with the inventions of mankind, that we have too little time to spend with God.
"Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them."
Psalms 106:29
Isn’t it a shame that we have driven God away from us, rather than us drawing nigh unto him?
Lest, we now listen to what happens when we displease the Lord:
"Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.
And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.
Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.
Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity."
Psalms 106:39-43
And yet because of His compassion Scripture declares:
"Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry: And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies"
Psalms 106:44-45
Ladies and gentlemen, Satan has lead the church on a pathway of destruction and taught it's people
that they are their own priest and they can make their own sacrifices
and they can do whatsoever they will and still be saved but they shall
fall in the day of my vengeance saith the Lord of Host.
"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied
in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done
many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
Matthew 7:22-23
The Word is boldly proclaiming this to the end time church,
and God is not pleased with our frivolous prayers and fasting!
Do we not remember when the word of the Lord came to Isaiah?
"And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you:
yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of
blood.
Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow."
Isaiah 1:15-17
"If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land
But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it."
Isaiah 1:19-20
Do we not remember the Word of the Lord went out to Israel many times, yet, they continued to
Rebel against Him and His Prophets and they died by the thousands in
the Wilderness?
And even so shall it be in the last days because the prophets have
spoken it and it shall come to pass and is already happening in our day, today!
We're already live in the days of the prophesy of 2 Timothy 3:1-5
God has called His church to obedience, Holiness and Righteousness but we are not hearing! And that, my friends, that also includes this church!
We have to get back to being obedient to God, in all things before it's too late!
We must forsake our will for God's will, rather than to read God's Word, He says "No", and we say Yes, because I want to!
We must turn towards what pleases God, instead of what pleases ourselves!
God spoke through the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:10-13
"He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till
we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son
of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:"
Now that we have that out of the way, I hope you all know, how much I love you guys. And this wasn't an easy sermon to preach. But when the Holy Spirit is speaking, you listen, or at least I did..
Brian Monzon Ministries