Read with me —

“As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.
For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”” Matthew 11:7,9-11

The LORD asked me a question, and then He told me to ask the same thing of The Church.

“What do you go to church for?

What do you expect to see or hear, maybe, when you go to church?

Some praise and worship?

Prayer?

A sermon?

Maybe even communion?

There’s a few other things to go to church for aren’t there?

Certainly some dates for your diary — upcoming church events?

Maybe greeting friends, brothers and sisters?

Plan your next street outreach?

How about coffee?

Did you ever think to go to Church specifically expecting to see God in action?

At anything other than possibly healing meetings?

Do you go expecting — to witness His power?

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

A demonstration of Gods’ power?

Do you go expecting — to see a miracle of healing?

The paralytic — and gold and silver have I none?

“And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.
When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”
And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins” — He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” ” Mark 2:1-12

“Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them — walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” Acts 3:1-10

Do you go expecting — to see Deliverance?

The Gadarenes — and Legion cast out into the pigs?

“Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.
Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?”
And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.
Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.
When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.
Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:26-39

Do you go expecting — to listen to a Prophet?

“What did you come to see” etc ?

“As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?”
“But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’
“Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”” Matthew 11:7,9-11

Do you go expecting — to witness Salvations?

Thousands added daily?

“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to The Church daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46-47

Do you go expecting — to have your Faith levels raised up?

The Great Commission?

“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach The Gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover!”” Mark 16:15-18

What would The Church do if someone like Smith Wigglesworth, or A.A. Allen, or William Branham, or even a well known prophet like Kim Clement came to minister?”

Even someone like these giants, not them in person. They’d scare the pants off many Churches these days!

People – It’s TIME for us to RAISE our faith levels, raise our trust, raise our expectations of both God, and whatever we go to Church for.

For far too long we have watered down just about everything to do with our faith.

We have tried to make things easier for those searching for God.

Our real problem is that we’ve made Church a bit boring, so same old same old, so full of Christianese jargon, that newcomers often no longer find God in The Church.

Actually, many are very wary of Church — because they don’t know nor understand what goes on in there!

When we come to church we must now, especially in the coming Season of Revival, we need to:

EXPECT To witness His power?

EXPECT To see a miracle of healing?

EXPECT To see deliverance?

EXPECT To listen to a prophet?

EXPECT To witness salvations?

EXPECT To have your Faith levels raised up?

AMEN?

LORD, please give us new fire-brands, new Branhams, new Wigglesworths, new Bonnkes, new faith filled warriors like those of old — unafraid to do the ‘outrageous’, seeking the unthinkable, believing for the miraculous!

LORD, set our expectation levels, and our faith, at the levels of these past giants of faith, that we then may stand on their shoulders to reach even greater heights and see those ‘greater things’ that Jesus prophesied for us!

To bring this full circle — The Church at its founding, 2000 years ago, expected to see all the things I’ve mentioned here, and more!

We’ve slipped a long way but, thank God, we’re fighting back — and it’s about to get a whole heap better as revival comes in to land.

AMEN.

 

~ Chris G. Bennett

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Chris Bennett came to salvation in 1962 but didn’t begin ministry until 2007 — a late-comer! Now mandated by The LORD to prophesy and open old wells of revival in the U.K., but especially in Wales. He has also operated Healing Rooms, and worked with deliverance teams, all with his wife, Linda. Happily now doing whatever The LORD asks of them! Founder, with wife Linda, of their ministry The Upper Room Encounter.

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