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H i s H a n d i s s t r e t c h e d o u t • W H O S H A L L T U R N I T B A C K ?riling working-class Baptist congregations andaffluent nondenominational churches…The Rev Ron Key, then the senior minister,says he objected to the church’s “MadisonAvenue” marketing. “I believe Jesus diedfor everybody,” Mr Key says, not just peoplein a “target audience.” He says the leaderswanted church that was more “edgy,” with aworship service using modern music. Mr Keywas demoted, then fired for being divisive andinsubordinate. 7Sataline’s article also notes Rick Warren’s ownleft hand knowing what the right hand is doingin his gimmicky self-promotion, “Mr Warrensays he donates 90 percent of his money to fundphilanthropy and overseas training.” 8 Concerninginsubordination and opposition, Sataline goes onto report comments made by a speaker at “ChurchTransitions Inc., a Waxhaw, N.C., non-profitthat works closely with Mr Warren’schurch”,“… Mr Clyde recommendedthat the pastor speak tocritical members, then helpthem leave if they don’t stopobjecting. Then when thosecongregants join a new church,Mr Clyde instructed, pastors shouldcall their new minister and suggest thatthe congregants be barred from any leadershiprole.” 9Ironically, we are then alerted to Rick Warren’s cryof innocence to distance himself from thevery Purpose Driven approaches he espouses.“Mr Warren acknowledges that splits occur incongregations that adopt his ideas, though hesays he opposes efforts to expel church members.”Hypocrite!Of particular embarrassment for the (evangelical)Christian world is that the article’s publishing ofbudget figures, and the like, of churches which havebeen affected by “splits” over Purpose Driven. Theworld must shake its head in dismay when it readsthat a church had to trim their “$1.7 million budgetto be able to afford adding to the sound system andnew stage lights, which cost $150,000”. 10 Or thatsome services start, “with a piercing electric-guitarsolo, boosted with amplifiers from the $50,000sound system,” 11 or the impact of becoming PurposeDriven had impacted attendance figures such that“Rev Bob Felts, pastor of Brookwood Church inBurlington, N.C., … had to cut tens of thousandsof dollars from the annual budget, which is now$600,000” 12 . Where is Jesus in all this? Where isthe gospel?Let me suggest that in the light of the packsof marauding wolves taking up pastoral and/orcontrolling positions within churches, congregationsand denominations, God is bringing to light—for theworld to see—the judgement that He is starting.And that judgement truly starts in the householdof God.7 Ibid.8 Ibid.9 Ibid.10 Ibid.11 Ibid.12 Ibid.Therefore, since Christ has suffered in theflesh, arm yourselves also with the samepurpose, because he who has suffered in theflesh has ceased from sin, so as to live therest of the time in the flesh no longer for thelusts of men, but for the will of God.For the time already past is sufficient foryou to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles,having pursued a course of sensuality,lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking partiesand abominable idolatries.In all this, they are surprised that you donot run with them into the same excesses ofdissipation, and they malign you; but they willgive account to Him who is ready to judge theliving and the dead.God is bringing tolight, for the world to see, thejudgement that He is starting.And that judgement truly startsin the household of God.For the gospel has for this purpose beenpreached even to those who are dead, thatthough they are judged in the flesh as men,they may live in the spirit according to the willof God.The end of all things is near; therefore, beof sound judgment and sober spirit for thepurpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent inyour love for one another, because love coversa multitude of sins.Be hospitable to one another withoutcomplaint. As each one has received a specialgift, employ it in serving one another as goodstewards of the manifold grace of God.Whoever speaks, is to do so as one whois speaking the utterances of God; whoeverserves is to do so as one who is serving bythe strength which God supplies; so that inall things God may be glorified through JesusChrist, to whom belongs the glory and dominionforever and ever. Amen.Beloved, do not be surprised at the fieryordeal among you, which comes upon you foryour testing, as though some strange thingwere happening to you; but to the degree thatyou share the sufferings of Christ, keep onrejoicing, so that also at the revelation of Hisglory you may rejoice with exultation.If you are reviled for the name of Christ,you are blessed, because the Spirit of gloryand of God rests on you.Make sure that none of you suffers as amurderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesomemeddler; but if anyone suffers as aChristian, he is not to be ashamed, but is toglorify God in this name.For it is time for judgment to begin withthe household of God; and if it begins with usfirst, what will be the outcome for those whodo not obey the gospel of God?And if it is with difficulty that the righteousis saved, what will become of the godlessman and the sinner?Therefore, those also who suffer accordingto the will of God shall entrust their souls to afaithful Creator in doing what is right.Therefore, I exhort the elders among you,as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferingsof Christ, and a partaker also of theglory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flockof God among you, exercising oversight notunder compulsion, but voluntarily, accordingto the will of God; and not for sordid gain,but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it overthose allotted to your charge, but proving tobe examples to the flock.And when the Chief Shepherd appears, youwill receive the unfading crown of glory.You younger men, likewise, be subjectto your elders; and all of you, clotheyourselves with humility towardone another, for God is opposed tothe proud, but gives grace to thehumble.Therefore humble yourselvesunder the mighty hand of God, that Hemay exalt you at the proper time, castingall your anxiety on Him, because He caresfor you.Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Youradversary, the devil, prowls around like aroaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Butresist him, firm in your faith, knowing thatthe same experiences of suffering are beingaccomplished by your brethren who are in theworld.After you have suffered for a little while,the God of all grace, who called you to Hiseternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect,confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Himbe dominion forever and ever. Amen.—1 Peter 4:1–5:11We are indeed in the end times, and Jesus certainlydid not say in vain,“…However, when the Son of Man comes, willHe find faith 13 on the earth?”—Luke 18:8b13 Faith: from the Greek ‘pistis’ which is faith andfaithfulness.About the AuthorBRETT BIGG and his wife have come outof the Word-Faith movement. Brett has aconcern for the preaching of the truth (orlack of it) in many of today’s churches. Hehas a desire to assist in the education ofthe elect, and to see the Gospel preachedto and accepted by those of the Jewishand Islamic faiths. You can contact Brett at:brett@echad.net (www.echad.net).(Scripture quotes from NAU (New American Standard,Updated 1995) throughout unless otherwise specified.)21