Matt Richards
2 Corinthians 5:13 Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves [not Christ]. Do you not yourselves realize and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you are [counterfeits] disapproved on trial and rejected? But I hope you will recognize and know that we are not disapproved on trial and rejected.
You know my children and I like to watch shows like: 'Fake or Real?' on YouTube. It's where someone investigates YouTube clips to see if the giant megalodon for example is real or fake.
Some are more convincing than others but many, no matter how convincing are simply fake.
We all love to examine and critique others, but here Paul in the bible says to the church, you need to examine yourself to see if you're Fake or Real?
Really, yes test and evaluate yourself to see you are truly the real deal and your life shows you are a Christian.
You see many people proclaim they are Saved but their life does match the label. In fact, their lifestyle shows the complete opposite.
I don't want to be a counterfeit. I don't want to be fake. I don't want to look like a Christian on the outside, but not have the substance on the inside.
You can go to hell singing the latest Bethel song or having all the versions of the bible on your phone.
It's time to examine ourselves to see where we are at. Was there a time you were genuine but it's now just a distant belief? (Even the devil believes in Jesus)
Was there a time when you cried about lost souls?
Was there a time when Jesus talked with you every day?
You know one of my heroes was Keith Green. He experienced a mighty move of God. This followed him and the commune he lead in self-examination and repentence.
As a church I am calling a time of fasting and prayer where we consecrate ourselves. Where we examine and deal with the fake and the sin in our lives.
Time to get real.
[By the way the megalodon was fake]
Prayer:
Father God we know we are standing on the brink of the greatest revival in history. Holy Spirit search me, help me to examine myself. I want to be real, I want to be ready. In Jesus' name, Amen.
From monday, I am calling the church to a ten day fast. We are joining Steve Uppal and All Nations, and many others. I am going to use the format by Keith Green adapted from Finney for repentence, below entitled 'Breaking up the fallow ground'
Join the reformation.
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