DAILY VIDEO DEVOTIONAL
Someone once said, “The church is never to be a showcase for saints, but rather it’s a hospital for sinners.”
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, certainly had that philosophy. Bishop J. C. Ryles said of him, “He was a bold fighter on Christ’s side. A fearless warrior against sin, the world, and the devil and an unflinching adherent of the Lord Jesus Christ in a very dark day. He honored the Bible. He cried down sin. He made much of Christ’s blood. He exalted holiness. He taught the absolute need of faith, repentance and conversion.”
In this dark day, we need men like Wesley. Every generation needs a fresh move of God’s Spirit. That’s why when I visited London, I wanted to meet at the church where Wesley preached. While visiting the church, my wife and I were taken on a tour. The guide showed us how the pews had extra seats that could be pulled out from the sides when there were overflow crowds. He spoke of the wonderful work of God during Wesley’s day and how thousands had come to Christ.
Then he said something that broke my heart. “Of course, it’s different today. There are many Muslims and other religious groups that live in this neighborhood. So we don’t have so many people that come to church today.” He began to tell us how Margaret Thatcher, the former prime minister, and the Queen of England both had once visited the church.
I thought, That’s the great problem with the church today. We’ve become proud of our heritage. We’ve made the church a showcase to the world while our hearts have ceased to break over the multitudes around us groping in the darkness.
I think if Wesley were here today, he would be in the middle of those Muslims, pleading for them to come to Christ.
What is your church like? Is it a showcase for saints or a hospital for sinners? Perhaps there’s a more pertinent question: What’s your heart like? Is it full of pride about its past achievements for Christ or is it full of tears because of the lost and dying world around you?
The answer speaks volumes about our need for revival.
Revelation : Chapter 3
14) “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15) I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16) So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17) You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18) I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19) Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20) Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 21) To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22) Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Book of the Month
Sammy Tippit told his fiancée, “I can’t promise we’ll be rich, but life won’t be boring.”
Sammy had no idea what an understatement that would become. Beginning in the bars of Baton Rouge and the nightclubs of Chicago, Tippit has shared the news of life-changing faith in Christ all over the world – including in the middle of a revolution in Romania, the aftermath of genocide in Rwanda, and war in Burundi and the Congo.
Sammy’s lifelong adventure has come at a great price. He’s been cursed, threatened, arrested, deported, and blacklisted. He’s also been personally broken, ravaged with illness, and devastated by grief.
Yet he continues to preach to in stadiums, in open fields, and via satellite technology to hundreds of thousands around the globe. For all other books…
About Sammy Tippit Ministries
STM has been providing inspiration and help around the world for nearly 50 years. Sammy Tippit, founder and president, is a world renowned counselor, teacher and evangelist with experience serving and helping people in over 80 countries. Sammy provides materials that help people tackle a broad array of social, societal, psychological and spiritual issues. He is particularly passionate about making materials accessible to other countries around the world. Sammy is married to Debara “Tex” Tippit, and they have two children and five grandchildren.
Sammy Tippit Ministries is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization.
Contact: info@sammytippit.org
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