The Local Church

It's called 'deception', and the Western church lives in it. We are indeed the church of Laodicea-we perceive things one way, but the Lord Jesus see it quite differently, and unless we repent of our lukewarmness, materialism and self reliance, He will spit us out of His mouth. Does that concern anyone? And what are we (I) doing about it? For real, not just talking and analyzing, but what are we DOING about it?% unregenerated of so called believers) about all things including baptism, church discipline and others. If this statement about, only 20 percent(regenerated by the Holy Spirit
what id say our churches are lacking is humility. true holiness stems from a life governed by humilty.
The vast majority of what we call Church is not Church. What is lacking is the new birth where by unconverted religous people (who call themselves the Church) are radically converted by the Holy Spirit into true saints of God and become members of the true body of Christ. We've lived in this illusion that this is the christian life, but I would suggest that there's a level of christianity of which we know virtually nothing. And the only way we'll get there is by seeking God to make us all that we could and should be in Christ for God. Seeking until He does that work in us in reality
God pouring His Spirit out upon us to make us what we ought to be and when He does that He promised that He would convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. To be brutally honest with ourselves in comparing ourselves to the model God has provided of what His church should be, namely the book of Acts, we'd have to say that even we, though it's hard to own up to the fact, have a form of Godliness but deny the power thereof. I think the devil laughs the hardest at us who are perhaps the most sincere of believers and have the most fervent love for the Lord and are wholy given up to His will but are completely void of the power of God in our lives as demonstrated and defined in the Holy Scriptures.
If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95 percent of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference.”I found this statement very close to the reality, isn't that frightening? (Have in mind it is said probably 50 years ago, how much more it would be true today)

Todays church is lacking the pure gospel,
believe it only a short matter of time before we're brought back to Holy Spirit's rightful preemminence in our lives, and churches, via "preaching" not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in "demonstration of the Spirit and of Power", back to our proper first love and works that we're supposed to have as representatives of our Lord Jesus Christ ! ...my first thought is prayer. true, humble, passionate, holy prayer. when we have forsaken talking to God on a regular basis, suddenly the world and its desires become very pleasing. when we forsake prayer, we become dead orthodoxy; good doctrine, but dead inside. when we forsake prayer, we will begin to indulge ourselves with the flesh and the things of the flesh. that is what the Lord has been speaking to me personally. the modern church lacks the unction or annointing of God manifesting himself in an awesome way and that will only happen as God's people humble themselves and pray. it is only the Spirit that can make dead bones live and only by His Spirit will God do it. "not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord"

And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked-- "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches

1Jo 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Ephesians 5:21 submitting to one another in the fear of God. Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.1Pe 2:17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. Rev 14:6-7 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth--to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people-- saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water."