Day 113 - Give Me More of The Word

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries                         LMCM

Nacogdoches, Texas                                                           Gal. 2:20  KJV

Thoughts on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 9

         

Michael’s book is available through:

Abiding Life Ministries International

Littleton, Colorado

(303) 972-0859       almi@abidinglife.com

Interestingly, the vast majority of Christians are told they need more of the Word of God (the Bible), and they are not told they need more of the Word of God (Jesus).  In this “day,” Michael gives a fascinating look at the failure this brings to the organized church and Christianity as a whole.

DAY 113

Give Me More Of The Word

And He gave some {as} apostles, and some {as} prophets, and some {as} evangelists, and some {as} pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ. --Ephesians 4:11, 12

During the course of my life if God would permit me to understand and live John 15, I would exit earth quite happily. In fact, I have devoted my life to this one Man and what He describes in this one chapter. I preach it from what I think is every angle, and then He shows me another. If in these times we could see that Jesus dwells in us, what a difference it would make, but that great truth must come through revelation. I am aware that words will not do it. Jesus must do it. In preaching John 15, I discover that I am forced to experience it when Jesus comes for my words. Well, amen. What confuses me are the many who do not understand this passage, or even Jesus for that matter; they clamor: “Could you quote more Scripture in the course of your lectures?” My response, “Do you understand the Scriptures that I have quoted? Are they practiced in your home, job, and life?” Most are honest enough to say, “No, I am not experiencing John 15, but it would make me feel better if you used more Scripture.” Amazing! I could go speak at a seminar and just read the Bible; I wonder if that would be enough Scripture! How many would come to hear me read? However, I believe God has given gifts to men that will allow them to be an instrument of revelation. I cannot think of anything but John 15, and if you have got it, I will be moving on to someone who does not have it.

Church life would immediately be transformed if we understood the basics of the Christian life; few have camped at them long enough to get them. Those without the foundational truths begin to build, only to see the building crumble or go up in smoke as hay, wood, and stubble. The Bible is a witness to Jesus; it is not the information book, the magic book, or the book to change us. We are not to go to it for anything other than a witness to Him. It will not create His presence, but it will tell us that He lives in us. We do not need volumes; we need a few, simple little passages to bring the revelation of Jesus.

(underlining is my emphasis)

First, let me note what I first wrote in the margin of my book when I read this “day” for the first time:  “heart of the Abiding Life message,” when I underlined these two sentences: “If in these times we could see that Jesus dwells in us, what a difference it would make, but that great truth must come through revelation.  I am aware that words will not do it.  Jesus must do it.”  The CHURCH has lost sight of “revelation” and “Jesus must do it.”  The CHURCH is all about “I must read, study, memorize…and I must do it.”  And instead of focusing on Jesus, the focus is always about “me.”  The most shocking question I have ever asked anyone in the church: “What is Jesus doing in your life right now?”

There is enough Christianity in John 15 to transform every Christian, therefore every church.  It’s almost as if every pastor should be growing a vineyard next to the church house to be able to demonstrate the truths of John 15.  Forget the gym, get a vineyard.  Forget every member getting a workbook for some discipleship course, each one get a vine to plant and tend in the church vineyard.

As those of us know Mike, he did understand and live John 15.  And he helped 1,000’s to do likewise (or at least get started).  And he got those same 1,000’s to understand and appreciate “revelation.”  (I was taught the first years after being Born Again to stay away from “revelation,” only the weird ones sought that!)

The Word…I think this is one reason our Lord is leading me to start preaching in a couple of months through the Gospel of John.  John was all about Jesus.  John was all about Love (Jesus).  The Bible that the bible-believing Christians so loudly proclaim to believe and love is all about “a witness to Jesus.”  But, It has been turned in to “the information book,” “the magic book,” or “the book to change us.”  Imagine what people are saying when they say It is “the book to change us.”  A BOOK will change us.  A BOOK will transform our lives.  A BOOK is all we need.  Now listen…not one evangelical tract or text says, “Go tell the Lost that all they need is a BOOK.”  No, they all say, “Go tell the Lost that all they need is JESUS.”  Not a BOOK, but a PERSON.  And that BOOK says, “As you came to JESUS, so walk in HIM.”  Read the BOOK to find HIM!  And to find that HE LIVES IN US.

Give ‘em Jesus!

Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point               Red – GP, Greatest Promises

Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches           Pink – PV, Priceless Victory

Lee McDowell Christian Ministries

P. O. Box 633244    Nacogdoches, Tx 75963                                      936-559-5696