Leaving Laodicea

In Zechariah 7 we find the Lord stripping away the face paint of religion and forcing His children to look deeply at their attitudes and motives, and not their religious actions and practices.  Here He says to them, and to us:"When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me— for Me?" (Zech. 7:5-6).His words cut deep because they are convicting and they are true.  They also reveal how far we, as the church of today, have fallen from the standard set by the Acts church, the template, the prototype of how church should be.  Consider the difference between life in the book of Acts and the life of the church today.Then, they were focused on power.  Now, we are focused on correct doctrine and seminary degrees.Then, the abundant life.  Now, cutting edge entertainment.Then, sacrifice and commitment.  Now, potluck suppers and youth trips to Disneyworld.Then, confrontation.  Now, tolerance.Then, boldness.  Now, we just want to fit in.Then, holiness.  Now, compromise.Then, one accord, unity.  Now, fragmentation and denominationalism. Then, baptized and full of the Holy Spirit.  Now, we debate those very terms.There has to be something more to the Christian life than what we are experiencing.Oh, there's more.  Much more.  Keep listening to find out what is missing.The following is a study on Zechariah 7:1-14.

It's hard to believe, but in the book of Zechariah we have a complete picture of the climax of the ages when the Lord Jesus, the Man, the Branch, comes to establish His Kingdom on this earth.  It shows humanity crowning Him with an elaborate crown and declaring Him to be the King of kings and the Lord of lords.  And it also shows how His death brought peace between a Holy God and His sinful creation.And yes, this is all found in the book of Zechariah.  Want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Zechariah 6:9-15.

It's hard to believe, but in the book of Zechariah we have a complete picture of the climax of the ages when the Lord Jesus, the Man, the Branch, comes to establish His Kingdom on this earth.  It shows humanity crowning Him with an elaborate crown and declaring Him to be the King of kings and the Lord of lords.  And it also shows how His death brought peace between a Holy God and His sinful creation.And yes, this is all found in the book of Zechariah.  Want to know more?  Then keep listening.The following is a study on Zechariah 6:9-15.

As crazy as it may sound, many of us spend our Christian lives playing Whac-A-Mole with the strongholds of sin and consequences of disobedience that we have allowed to take root in our lives.  And why do we do this?  What's the point?  Where's the payoff for us?There isn't any.  We strive and struggle again and again, whacking one mole only to have another pop up in its place, with no end in sight.  Our so-called "abundant life" can easily become one of frustration and defeat.But it doesn't have to be that way.  We can live victorious over the enemy and experience true freedom in Christ.  How?  Keep listening to find out.

As crazy as it may sound, many of us spend our Christian lives playing Whac-A-Mole with the strongholds of sin and consequences of disobedience that we have allowed to take root in our lives.  And why do we do this?  What's the point?  Where's the payoff for us?There isn't any.  We strive and struggle again and again, whacking one mole only to have another pop up in its place, with no end in sight.  Our so-called "abundant life" can easily become one of frustration and defeat.But it doesn't have to be that way.  We can live victorious over the enemy and experience true freedom in Christ.  How?  Keep listening to find out.

Leaving Laodicea is a podcast for those who have taken an honest look at the church, scratched their head, and said, "You know, this ain't the way church is suppose to be. Something must be wrong. Bad wrong."

Leaving Laodicea is a podcast for those who have taken an honest look at the church, scratched their head, and said, "You know, this ain't the way church is suppose to be. Something must be wrong. Bad wrong."

The words of German pastor Martin Niemoller were just as poignant in 1937 as they are today.  Why?  Because we are living in the same times and under the same threat.To the question:  Am I my brother's keeper?Pastor Niemoller's answer:First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Socialist.Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Trade Unionist.Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Jew.Then they came for me— and there was no one left to speak for me.The following is a study on Zechariah 4:1-5:4.

The words of German pastor Martin Niemoller were just as poignant in 1937 as they are today.  Why?  Because we are living in the same times and under the same threat.To the question:  Am I my brother's keeper?Pastor Niemoller's answer:First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Socialist.Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Trade Unionist.Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Jew.Then they came for me— and there was no one left to speak for me.The following is a study on Zechariah 4:1-5:4.

This Easter, commit your life and thoughts and dreams to Him who can do far beyond what we can possibly imagine (Eph. 3:20-21).  Do not, like Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, fall back and fade into obscurity regarding the moving of God and remain satisfied with the trinkets and toys this world offers and neglect the "riches in heaven" prepared for you, the "abundant life" our Lord promised (John 10:10).  Look around you and see the mission field God has place you in and begin today, on Easter, to faithfully serve Him who gave His life for you (Matt. 20:28).And remember the words of William Carey:  "Expect great things from God.  Attempt great things for God."The following is a study on John 3:1-2.