The Formation of Christ

“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.”  Galatians 4:19 

Ultrasound pictures are technology’s latest gift to prospective mothers.  You can get them in video clips to see the fetus move.  Now, I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen a beautiful ultrasound.  Look at the shape of the baby at two months into the pregnancy.  I’m sorry, but it just doesn’t look all that appealing.  Thank God for the last month or two before the baby is born when it starts to get cute. 

Candace House writes, “I remember with my middle child I was so tired of being pregnant. It was August, the hottest month of the year. I wanted Bryant out by any means necessary! I started thinking like a crazy woman! I created all kinds of scenarios in my mind of how I can get him out NOW! The craziest thought I had was to throw myself down the stairs and that would surely make him come.  My doctor wanted me to be treated for depression. She said plenty of women fell into a depressed state when they were only weeks away from giving birth.”

Here is the whole thing in a nutshell.  Christ gave birth to you.  Now, you must give birth to Christ! 

Paul fought against false teachers who were leading people backwards instead of forward into Christ.  The Apostle agonized over new believers until they were established in truth.  “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.”  This passage is bigger than the problem of the Judaizers.  This is huge.  It is a life-changing, paradigm-shifting kind of principle.  Believers must get this.  “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame.” Hebrews 12:2 

The formation of Christ in you is not instantaneous.  You are living in the middle of a construction zone with its scaffolding, wet cement, blisters and shattered thumbnails.  It is success in process.  A process is a sustained transformation marked by gradual changes through a series of states; as “events now in process.”  Everything God does involves process.  Our electronic generation gets nervous when something takes more than a day.  In our failure to understand process, we abort.  We want overnight results, but God knows it may take ten years.  

Are you scared to let God change you?  Scared that you may not like what you will become? Can’t let go of what you used to be? Don’t know if you can keep the new person going? Seen too many train wrecks to have confidence in God?  Keep changing.  You will not be stuck with the ultrasound.  Don’t get scared when you see a project half completed.  Let the process unfold.  The process makes us wait, rubs our noses in the dirt, breaks our bones, skins our egos, makes us walk, and makes us pray. 

Every great accomplishment of God and man comes at the end of a painful process.  “And they said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah: ‘This day is a day of trouble and rebuke and blasphemy; for the children have come to birth, but there is no strength to bring them forth.” Isaiah 37:3. A building is a process.  So is a painting, an education, a marriage, and understanding God.  God is birthing something in you.  Something wants expression, to come into being, to emerge from the frustrations and confusion into a beautiful creation made in the image of God.  “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2. Something is happening right now!  

You are being “TRANSFORMED INTO HIS LIKENESS with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18.

The Duty of Fear

“Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that you do not sin.” Exodus 20:20. 

Moses had just come down from the mountain where God gave him the ten commandments.  It was a spectacular sight.  He had a puzzling message from God to wrap it all up.  “Fear not, but keep the fear of God before you so that you don’t sin.” In other words, if you don’t have any other reason to keep these commandments from God, then obey him for fear. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Israel had not yet come to that stage in moral and spiritual development. They were still under the guiding hand of fear.

In the Bible, fear usually means to revere God, to respect Him, to honor and obey Him.  The twenty-first  century culture is now described as a post-modern and a post-Christian society.  Today, people consider fear to be a negative emotion.  We have gradually applied this notion to God himself.  This happened because one thing leads to another. When we accepted evolution, we doubted creation. When we doubted creation, we doubted the Bible. When we doubted the Bible, we questioned the existence of God. When we questioned the existence of God, we imagined a world without God. If there is no God, then all of the reverence, respect and fear of God evaporates. 

It is little wonder, then, that we live in a world where abortion is rampant, euthanasia is approved, marriage covenants are routinely violated; that honesty, integrity and righteousness are values of the past. Whoever you are, young or old, male or female, you need to possess a healthy fear of God—-as Creator, Giver and Sustainer of Life, Judge and Savior.  It is your respect of God that will determine how you react and respond to him in the issues of your life.  

Some have no fear of God.  “Concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes. The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. He devises wickedness on his bed; He sets himself in a way that is not good; He does not abhor evil.” Psalm 36:1.

Some fear God but serve their own gods.  “They feared the LORD yet served their own gods—according to the rituals of the nations from among whom they were carried away.”  2 Kings 17:33. This group made the first concession but rejected the second.  They determined to fear God, but decided not to obey him. 

Today, many have a conscience prepared by the Word.  Raised in church and exposed to righteous teaching, they are very familiar with the Word. When they sin, they do it with a certain level of fear. “Okay, I’m probably an idiot, but here goes.  I may regret it, but I’m going to do it anyway.”

I’ve seen this happen first hand.  I was raised in the church with a great youth group.  We had a young men’s quartet, we sang together in a youth choir, we had lots of activities. But as the kids got older, their faith waned and the world of sin looked more and more attractive.  On my occasional meeting with my friends of long ago, they were so nervous. They hung their heads, made empty promises, told me that they should get back to God. Several years ago, I stood at the casket of one of them. Drinking and drugs eventually claimed his life in his early forties. You would never have believed it had you known him earlier. He loved God.  He feared God.  He respected God. He just served his own God—the gods of pleasure, getting high, getting drunk, good times.  Hedonism is a fun god to serve.  He just treats his worshippers badly.  

“Here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV

The Worship Effect

“They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless.” 2 Kings 17:15 (NIV) 

Few would suspect that our first exposure to the word “worship” in the Bible is the story of Abraham and Isaac.  Picture it:  A father and a son trudging up the mountain, the father knowing that he would return alone, leaving the slain, charred remains of his only son behind on the pile of stones.  Did he put his hand tenderly on the shoulder of his son as they climbed?  Did he look longingly at son, trying to fix his image in his mind one last time?  Did he leave pieces of his heart in the path with each step?  Maybe.  Why did he do it?  The key is his statement to his servants:  “I and the lad will go yonder to worship.”  It was not an unreasonable demand of an overbearing deity.  It was worship.  

True worship makes you vulnerable.  It opens you up to the most extreme influence, dominating control and overpowering effect that can possibly be exerted on you.  Jesus said, ^“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”  John 4:24. Worship is not just physical exuberance, theological orthodoxy or appropriate music genre.  It is Spirit and Truth!  Spiritual transformations happen in worship.  Your mind, your values, your convictions, your understanding—all these come into play in the act of worship.  The worship effect is why it was paramount for Jesus to defeat Satan in the third and final temptation.  If Jesus would have worshipped Satan, He would have lost his identity, His mission would have been forfeited, or He would have ceded His authority and power to another.  

You submit to the authority and power of whoever you worship.  You cede control to the object of your worship.  If you worship the devil or the flesh, you open yourself up to evil influences that exist in the world.  Romans 1:21-25.  If idolatry is dangerous, then true worship of God in Spirit and truth has an equal and opposite effect!  Something transformational happens.  A seismic effect impacts your heart and mind, body and soul.  “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John … they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”  Acts 4:13. It is said that if a husband and wife live together long enough, they begin to look like each other.  While this seems hyperbolic, it often appears that way.  You cannot live in close association with someone without taking on their traits.  Two persons experiencing all the same things draws them closer together.  If we, as the Psalmist said, “dwell in the house of the Lord forever,” we will begin to look like the One we live with. 

Worship causes something of God to rub off on you.  He commutes to you His value and worth.  Worship opens the gate into your soul.  When you worship Jesus, you begin to take on the attributes, attitudes, preferences, sounds, and looks of Jesus.  Apostolics have strong, unflinching beliefs.  We call them convictions.  It has to do with the dynamic of worship.  We do not water down the doctrinal message of the Apostles because we want to worship God in Spirit and in truth!  We do not compromise our message with other belief systems.  We do not change our appearance to conform to the styles and trends of the world.  Why? Because Psalm 29:1-2 says, “Give to the LORD, O you mighty, give to the LORD glory and strength.   Give to the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.”   

Never discount the act and practice of worship.  It is not to be taken lightly.  You are profoundly different because of Who you worship!  It is the worship effect!

The Critical Conjunction

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us.” Ephesians 2:4 

God is the creator Spirit who does not change.  He is all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere present, and eternal.  He is holy, righteous, loving, truthful and all-wise.  God is “The King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God.” 1 Timothy 1:17. He is solitary in his existence, awesome in his contemplation, irrefutable in his decrees, flawless in his foreknowledge, fierce in his wrath, supreme in his state, sovereign in his authority, immutable in his counsel, unlimited in his power, unmovable in his faithfulness, unending in his patience, faultless in his goodness, amazing in his grace, forever enduring in his mercy and infinite in his love. 

Now, we come to the critical conjunction.  But is a conjunction, a preposition, an adverb.  In the Greek, the word but is translated from the word de. De is one of the most commonly used Greek particles used to connect one clause with another when it is felt that there is some contrast between them.  It is translated but when a contrast is clearly implied.  

Why do you come to church?  You come to learn about God, right?  But, to learn about God, you must unlearn all the inaccurate things that you think you know about God.  Some think God is the cruel master of their fate; that He is rigid, vindictive and harsh; that He is out of touch, remote and inaccessible; that He uncaring, uninvolved and disinterested in your life.  The true God of the Bible is none of those things.  

But, God …!  Whenever I am faced with a set of circumstances that overwhelms me and threatens to destroy me, I understand that there is a presence beside me and inside me that is contrary to the circumstances that surround me.  This presence is almighty, always victorious, and incapable of defeat.  “And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:13-15.  

But, God! 

When you are wronged.  “And your father deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God did not let him hurt me.” Genesis 31:7.

When you are victimized.  “But as for you, you thought evil against me; but God meant it for good, to save many people alive.” Genesis 50:20.

When you are confused.  “And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him.” Acts 7:9.

When you are attacked.  “But God carved a hollow place in the jaw, and water came out of it.” Judges 15:19.

When you think you’re dying.  “My flesh and my heart fail: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26.

When you are persecuted.  The early saints were scorned, cursed, beaten, jailed, blackballed, and persecuted for the name of Jesus.  “But God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above your ability; but will with the temptation make a way to escape.” 1 Corinthians 10:13. 

Darkness may be all around … but God!  Defeat may seem inevitable … but God!  You may be suffering rejection, depression, hurt, loss, loneliness … but God!  God is your Critical Conjunction!

Behold the Lamb!

“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

Today’s world can possibly be summed up with the word, despair.  Moral failure, family crack-ups, alcoholism, drug addiction, perversion, AIDS, depression and suicide touch nearly every life.  Add to that the abortion curse, bizarre crimes, mass murders, terrorism and other society-wide problems, and you have general paranoia.  Many people hesitate to come to the Lord because they have a very real sense that they are not good enough, that God is angry and bitter against them, that they cannot be accepted no matter how hard they try. 

The Bible does not tell us to examine the man.  Whosoever will may come. Regardless of age, color, size, background, status… you can come.  Prison record, high school drop-outs, divorcees, jobless, homeless, bad reputation.  You will never be good enough to serve God.  Anyone who waits until they get things straightened out in life fight a losing battle.  Come just as you are. Confess your sins—-whatever they are.  The only thing you can do is nothing.  The only sacrifice you can believe in is Christ. The only one you can trust is God.   

The Bible does not tell us to examine the sin.  Sins are many: False religion, occult, idolatry, cursing, rebellion, murder, adultery, thievery, lying, covetousness.  Analyze them to your heart’s content—to no avail.  The world today majors in analysis. Professionals can tell you what’s wrong with you, when it started, how it developed, where it happened and who is responsible. They can give you names and terms to use when you talk about your problem. They can place you in a statistical percentile. They can give you a prognosis based on current findings. They can prescribe all the Prozac or Demerol you need. After its all said and done, they can show you the door, pat you on the back and say, “Good luck.” Let’s not examine your sin.  You might be psychologically predisposed to kleptomania, genetically engineered to an alternative lifestyle, culturally inclined to use foul language, socially prone to prevarication, and generally excused to transgress every one of the ten commandments.  

The Bible does tell us to examine the Lamb.  In the Old Testament, the sacrificial lamb had to be without blemish. He could not have a broken leg. He could not be blind or sick. He could not be too short or too skinny. He had to be the firstling of the flock.  Jesus Christ is the lamb of redemption.  “He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.” Isaiah 53:7.

The question is not, “Do I pass the test?”  The question is, “Does the Lamb pass the test?”  A thousand times YES!  He passes every test of scripture, of character, of prophecy and of efficacy.  He passes the test of humanity, of divinity, of sinlessness, of authority. He passes every test that qualifies Him to take away sin and save you eternally.  “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”  1 Pet 1:18-19 (NIV).  

The Lamb passes every test that you and I failed.  The Lamb is destined for the throne!  “And they sung a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open its seals: for you were slain, and you have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, and you have made us kings and priests to God: and we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:8-10.  Examine the Lamb!

Dress Revelations

Have you seen random pics of Wal-Mart shoppers?  Gross!  The widespread messiness in the way people dress today parallels the general decline in modern morality. It’s not only personality and taste that come through in the clothes we choose to wear, we also dress according to intent. If we intend to imitate icons, we reveal it by our clothing.  In addition, the way we dress elicits a response or reaction from other people, and people classify us by our costumes. We have even developed vocabulary to describe certain actions, certain intentions and certain looks.  For example: Shabby, stylish, frumpy, chic, elegant, tasteful, classy, scruffy. In sub-cultures, we label dress as Grunge, Goth, Punk, Street, Glam, Hardcore, Anarcho, Psychobilly. Gang dress includes bandanas, buttons, articles of clothing (shoelaces, etc.), earrings, combs, fingernails, beads, graffiti, gym shoes, hair, hats, jewelry, pant legs, pockets, roller skate laces, stars and sweatshirts. Style denotes philosophy. 

The wise man said, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23. Thus, Bible believers pay attention to dress.  “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.” 1 Timothy 2:8-10.  Also, “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.” 1 Peter 3:1-5. N. A. Urshan wrote, “The basic principles of godly appearance that apply to women should also apply to men; namely, modesty, moderation, decency, elimination of ornamentation and costly finery, and distinction between male and female in hair and dress.”  

True love, joy and peace is found in pleasing and serving God.  Is this legalism? Our question should be “Does it please God?”  Or, “Will doing this harm my relationship with God.”  Or, “Will this harm my witness to other people?”  Those who ask “what’s wrong with this?” in terms of an actual scripture against something, are the real legalists.  For example, if I have a rule in my association that you cannot talk to other people during a meeting and you get around it by singing, are you violating the rule?  Technically, no.  In reality, yes.  Talking negatively about these things may make us seem like ogres, prudes and hopelessly old fashioned.  However, we are in the business of pleasing God.  Many of these practices represent human attempts to find meaning, pleasure, and acceptance.  To believers, the pursuit of Jesus Christ is the total answer. 

Why should your doctrine impact your appearance? Think of yourself as an advertising billboard.  You put on display your convictions, your loyalties, your message for the world. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2. 

Your body is a temple of the Holy Ghost.  Preserve it, protect it, keep it clean.  Don’t allow it to be subverted or coopted by Satan.  “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age … that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.” Titus 2:11-15.  

Ignorance is Preferred

“Give therefore your servant an understanding heart to judge thy people.” 1 Kings 3:9 

When we think of Solomon, we think of wisdom.  He asked for understanding, and that’s what he received.  But after this, Solomon had a second visitation which was a warning about the first dream.  “But if you turn from following me … then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; 1 Kings 9:6-7. We cannot mock God’s commandments with impunity.  He built a caveat into his promises.  Essentially, He told Solomon, “If you turn away from following me, there will be consequences.”  Solomon did exactly that.  

“But king Solomon loved many strange women …you shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love …and his wives turned away his heart.” 1 Kings 11:1-4.  Why?  Because Solomon’s conversations with God were in the context of dreams and visions.  They happened when Solomon was in a spiritual frame of mind.  Paul said, “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.” Romans 8:8.  

In terms of the flesh, ignorance is better than knowledge.  Serving God only makes sense to the spiritual mind.  When you grow carnal, it all looks foolish.  When you resort to your own understanding, the Bible seems oppressive, the church looks confining, holiness looks like bondage, worship looks like insanity, doctrine looks like dogmatism, baptism looks like a meaningless ritual, the Holy Ghost looks like fanaticism, truth looks like tyranny, sacrifice looks like silliness, paying your tithes looks like a stick-up in church and prayer looks like an exercise in futility. 

But, when you are in a spiritual frame of mind, the Bible is liberating, the church looks like the body of Christ, holiness looks like freedom, worship looks like loving God, doctrine looks like the dew of heaven, baptism looks like taking on the name of the bridegroom, the Holy Ghost looks like joy unspeakable and full of Glory, truth looks like Jesus, sacrifice looks sacred, paying your tithes looks like heaven’s financial plan and prayer looks like tapping into God’s promises!  “God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth!” 

When you try to worship God in the flesh instead of the Spirit, nothing works.  Understanding is a Biblical concept, but it is also a skill that educators, psychologists, therapists, counselors, along with some politicians seek to possess.  We are told that we need to understand people, to understand why people do what they do.  We need to understand motives and behaviors.  And it all sounds so logical, so necessary to good human relations.  But God places a very strict qualifier on understanding.  It is the understanding of God, of the nature of God, not an understanding of the world! 

So, what about us?  Should we understand?  Should we understand terrorism?  Serial killing?  Perverse acts?  Should we understand why people sin? The problem is that once we begin to understand the why of sin, we get curious about the how of sin.  Then the devil leads us into the fascinating world of human wisdom.  But there is a problem with human wisdom.  “In the day you eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall die!” 

There is a limit to understanding.  There are some things we are told not to understand, not to learn.  I want to be ignorant about sin; I want to be wise in the the knowledge of Christ!  For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 1 Corinthians 1:21.

The world says understand me!  Get to know my ways!  Get to know why I lie, cheat, steal, fornicate, kill, commit adultery, live in immorality and rebel against God.  Understand my anger, hatred, cursing, bitterness, and sin.  But, should the church seek to understand the world?  Where will that lead?  It will lead to death!  

Here’s what I believe:  I want the world to understand Jesus!  I don’t want to understand sin; I want the world to understand God! I want to lead people into a life of grace, peace, joy and love!  I want to understand the love of God that covers a multitude of sins, the grace of God, the power of the Cross, repentance, what happens in the waters of baptism, what happens when one receives the Holy Ghost.  I want to understand prayer, worship, Bible study, coming to church, giving to God.  If we are given a choice to either know God or know the world, choose to know God! 

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:7-14.

Are You Listening?

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 2:7 

As a preacher, I want people to listen in church.  I raise my voice, so I can be heard.  Sound reinforcements systems make it easier to hear.  We have special devices for the hearing impaired; we record services on CD’s so people can have a service played back for anyone to hear.  Seven times John wrote “he who has an ear, let him hear” to the churches in Revelation. Why did he repeat this phrase over and over?  Because nobody was listening! 

This has always been the problem.  People don’t listen.  This has nothing to do with the ability to recognize sound waves registering on the ear drums, or with defective auditory nerves.  It has everything to do with the intention to take what one hears seriously. 

The word listen appears only once in the King James Bible:  Isaiah 49:1. The Hebrew word for “listen,” however, is shama, most often translated as “hear.”  Whenever you hear a command, you need to listen.  Adam and Eve heard the voice of God but failed to listen.  Their punishment for not listening was severe:  painful childbirth, cursed ground, toil and sweat, and finally, exile from Eden.  There is a steep price to be paid for refusing to listen to the voice of God.  Plagues and the loss of his firstborn punished Pharoah.  Israel didn’t listen to Joshua and Caleb and spent thirty-eight more years in the wilderness.  Moses didn’t listen and he was kept from going into the Promised Land.  Ahab didn’t listen and he was slain in battle.  Manasseh didn’t listen and he lost his kingdom to Assyria.  Jehoiakim didn’t listen and he lost his kingdom to Babylon.  

The question is…why?  Why don’t people listen?  Jesus begins to explain it to us in the New Testament.  In the light of my text, His word choice is startling:  “ And if you will receive it, this is Elias, who was to come.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Matthew 11:14-15. Why don’t people hear?  Jesus meant those who wouldn’t hear because the words are uncomfortable!  He said they were “Waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing.” Matthew 13:15.  Waxed gross means stupefy, grown callused.  Dull of hearing means heavy, not discerning.

When people are up to their ears in gossip and carnality, when they talk about people, problems, frustrations, headaches all the time, when they obsess on sports, politics and materialism, they get stupefied and callused.  How would someone become dull of hearing?  When they stop their intake of the Word of God on a regular basis:  When they listen to alternative voices; when they grow rebellious; when they lose their interest in God; when their prayer life fades away to non-existence.  Listening is an act of the will. It cannot be forced.  You must choose to listen.  

How does a pastor get people to listen? just mention a few names or throw out a few terms that they are interested in.  Pastors cannot afford to talk about the irrelevant.  They talk about the eternally significant.  You will draw your last breath on the strength of what you hear. You will go to heaven or hell from the pews of the church. You will stand before God in judgment on the basis of what you hear from the pulpit.  Is it grace today, or judgment? Faith or works? Trials and afflictions? Healing and salvation? Sheep shearing or sinner reaching? 

Whatever the message, the point is, are you listening?  If you do not listen to God, will He hear you in the time of your crisis?  ^“In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.” Psalm 18:6.