Who is Quirky PreacherRichD-Revival

The Condition of the American Church

I look at the condition of the American Church and I am overwhelmed. Some say to me that “the Church is not much different than it has been for decades, what is the big deal?” That in itself reveals the condition of the American Church. Is the measuring stick of the condition of the Church to be compared to what the Church has been for some time. Should we not be comparing the Church to what it should be according to the Word of God?

I can say for myself I personally have seen in my 46 years of Christianity the Church go into a downward spiral. It shocks me that it seems many Christians, even committed Christians, do not see this downward spiral. I would say this is the very evidence of the downward spiral of the American Church.

America is the reflection of the condition of the American Church.

Evidences of the Downward Spiral

No Fear of God
Christians living a life of unrepentant sin with no fear of God. Some would argue those with such lifestyles are not truly born again. The problem is with the preaching of the day, is many pastors are making individuals feel comfortable with sin their life. some going as far as good bad and bad good.

Wordliness/Carnality
The American Church to a large extent looks and acts no different than the culture of today. Instead of being an influence on the culture, the culture has influenced the church. Worship has become entertainment.

No Longer Salt and Light
How many Christians in their homes, in their communities, in their workplaces, on social media, are actually being a good example of what it means to be a Christ Follower? How many are actually walking in the character of Christ, bringing Light in the midst of darkness.

Sinfulness Instead of Holiness
Christians bragging about the freedom to drink alcohol and thus being a stumbling block to others in their freedom. Abstinence is not seen as a good trait but legalism. Christians trading vaping for cigarette smoking. Christians condoning and endorsing heterosexual and homosexual fornication. Pastors struggling at the same percentage as their congregation. Christians getting on social media spewing hatred. Absolutely ungodly behavior by government leaders being defined as being bold and strong. Sexual abuse, greed, evil manipulative abuse rampant among Christian leaders who refuse to have any form of accountability. Christian Nationalism becoming idol worship. The list goes on and on.

Avoidance of Prayer
Within the American Church there is more than a lack of prayer. It is as if there is an avoidance of prayer. There are limited opportunities for corporate prayer. When there are opportunities, they are avoided. Intercessory prayer, calling out to God, is seen as something for those unique ones who pray.

False Doctrine
False doctrine has invaded every church denomination in America. Some denominations have abandoned the Word of God. There are multitudes of churches that have become promoters of secular humanism, progressive or conservative education centers, meeting places for unrepentant sinners.

Statistically in America almost a majority or more of Christians question the inerrancy of Scripture, question the fundamental doctrines of Christianity.

There are many Christians embracing Deconstruction, the walking away from their faith. The truth is many of them were never born again because the American Church has made being born again saying a simple prayer with no conviction from the Holy Spirit, no true repentance.

The Four R’s

For me the solution to the Downward Spiral of the American Church is:
Repentance, turning back to Jesus being Lord of lords, King of kings in the life of Christians. If He has not ever been Lord, just Savior, it is time for Him to be LORD.

Renewal, the Church needs to be renewed, refreshed. Come back to its first love. A fresh love of Jesus, His Word, the work of the Holy Spirit.

Reformation, the Church needs to get back to the Word of God, it needs to get back to worship instead of entertainment. It needs to get back to the call of holiness.

Revival, the Church needs to be revived. It needs to be on fire for the Kingdom of God. It needs to be passionate about souls, passionate about the Great Commission. The church on fire will fuel revival fires across the land. The convicting power of the Holy Spirit will fall upon communities, schools/colleges, workplaces, government leaders.

Revival

I absolutely believe the only hope for America is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. America needs revival. BUT that will never happen unless there is Revival in the American Church. There needs to be a powerful move of God. It first starts with each of us who call ourselves Christians. WE need to get right with God. WE need to repent. WE need renewed/refreshed. WE need a reformation to take place in our hearts. WE need revival. WE need the fire of God in our lives. WE need a refilling of the Holy Spirit that consumes us inside out. WE need to cry out for the American Church and America. YOU and ME!!!!!!

My Problem

I have little patience with Christians who have no hunger or thirst for God. I have little patience for milk toast pastors. I have little patience with those who justify sin in the camp. I have little patience for those who want to judge the lost while totally ignoring sin in the camp or justifying sin in the camp. I have little patience for those who make saving a country more important than saving souls. I have little patience for those who see politics as the answer for America instead of Revival. I have little patience for those who claim to be Christians that have no fruit, yet spout being saved. I have little patience with Christians who reject or avoid corporate prayer.

Solution

I will not say it is right to not have patience for the those I describe above. BUT I will adamantly say it is right to have a total disdain for what I disdain, hate. But I cannot change the heart or actions of any human being, the only person I have control over is myself, and that is limited without the Holy Spirit.

The solution is for me to be ALL that God calls me to be. To be obedient to His Word. To cry out to God for the move of His Holy Spirit upon His people and America. The solution is for me to continue to be a Quirky Watchman on the Wall that will not be silenced.

The solution for me is to make prayer my number one priority which is extremely hard for me.

Be Aware

Be aware if you try to excuse, justify, write off, ignore the downward spiral of the American Church you will most likely hear from me. At times I will be intense.

My next two topic will be What is Next?

Bible Verses
Psalm 85:6
Will You not Yourself revive us again,
That Your people may rejoice in You?

Psalm 10:18
Then we shall not turn back from You;
Revive us, and we will call upon Your name.

1 Peter 4:17
For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

2 Timothy 1:6
For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

1 Peter 1:16
because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

2 Peter 3:11
Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

My next article is What is Next?

Who is Quirky PreacherRichD Series
Introduction
Honesty & Integrity
The Word of God
The Truth
Holiness
Unholy Alliances
Mercy
Forgiveness
Outcasts of Society
Revival