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ISSUE 12 - 2009
Silence of the Lamb
by Steve Magill

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH BEGAN WITH Jesus departing the earth leaving the command to his disciples to, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:16-20)  It was the disciples job to be ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) and to bring the light of Christ to the world (Matthew 5:14).  They were to preach from the housetops for all to hear the words they heard from Jesus in private conversation (Matthew 10:27).

The early Christians took the words of Christ to heart and soon found themselves in conflict with the world around them.  Though the early Christians were meek and godly, there was nothing silent or subdued about their life.  It was their spirit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance which shouted loudly in the face of the world (Galatians 5:22, 23).  It was this very spirit that caused those opposed to Christ to scream at God�s people, cover their ears, and seek to kill them (Acts 7:57).  The early Christians did not keep the work of the Lamb of God quiet in either their character or conversation.

In contrast to the early Christians, there is a silence of the Lamb in our culture today.

Th i've taught this concept over the years, it did not strike me as it did recently.  In August 2008 I stepped down from my position as a pastorï of a denomination and began to gather with my family in our home.  For the past four months the denominational lifestyle was no longer part of my life...and that was when I realized how silent the voice of Christ is in our world today.  In December I expressed my utter amazement to my wife of this silence of the Lamb.  I would never know that the church existed if it weren't for the bake sales, church ads, and buildings announcing some special event to attract people inside their walls.  I have yet seen or met anyone who is proclaiming the gospel or distributing gospel tracts in the daily activities of life.  Instead of going into all the world the denominations appears to have retreated to their own little world within their four denominational walls relating to the world with fundraising for their next in-house project, instead of proclaiming the gospel.  Are we to relate to the world with fundraising and special events or with the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Imagine the impact within a community if the denominations broke their silence with the world?  Imagine that, instead of having a denomination on every corner there would be a church in every work place, in every home, in every trip to the grocer, in every convenience store, in every city council, in every wherever you are.  Imagine the impact denominations could have if they took Christ outside their four walls.  I am afraid, to do that, we would have to destroy the buildings, and then most people wouldn't know how to be the church because there weren't four walls.  We have lost the concept in thought and practice that each individual Christian is the church, not the buildings or the gathering of people.

Imagine this scene:  The Captain of a fire department told his men that men, women, and children are in grave danger and they must go and rescue them.  Instead of going to help, the men remain in the fire hall to praise and worship the goodness and compassion of their captain.  Isn�t this how it is with today's denominations, preferring to praise and worship the Captain of their soul inside four walls instead of obeying his command to go outside and save the perishing?  Let's make this plain:  souls are perishing as we praise and worship the Captain of our soul�there is something wrong with this picture. 

In the last of the last days deception will be so great that even the strongest of God�s people will be tempted to compromise their faith in Christ (Mark 13:22).  Revelation 2 and 3 is a picture of a deceived and compromised church.  Read these messages.  Hear their message.  Take action to overcome, perhaps, your own compromise.

As we continue into the year 2009, make this your year to live determined and diligent for Christ proclaiming him to all the world.  The time is short.  The door to the gospel may soon be closed.  Let us redeem the time and determine to be about the Father's business regardless of what it might cost.  God is in control of life and death...you are in control of whether you go out your denominational doors or remain inside warming the pews.

May God bless you and your efforts in keeping a clear, loud voice wherever you are and in whatever you do.

With Prayer,
Steve

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."  Mark 1:15
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