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Insight's to the Word with Pastor Teague!
I recently spoke on Exodus 1 and used the midwives as a an example of prophetic influence for the church today. I believe that the midwives were used by God to stop an all out assualt on the birthing channel for the promised Deliverer – who in this case would be Moses who would appear in chapter two. The idea I presented was that there is a powerful assualt on the spiritual birthing process today. Satan is attempting to stop what God wants birthed in the earth.
Everything that happens in the kingdom happens through a birthing process. Jesus was born by appointment. The Holy Spirit had a place in history in being “birthed” into the churches arena of reception, power and process for the church.
We are discovering that there are spiritual “bastards” in the kingdom. These are the illigitimate births that have effected the church in the long run. Let me define my term “spiritual bastards”. Scripture declares that those who deny or refuse discipline are “bastards.” Not my term but His.
Hebrews 12:6-9 (KJV) For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (7) If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? (8) But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. (9) Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
Hebrews 12:5-11 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, “MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; (6) FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.” (7) It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? (8) But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. (9) Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? (10) For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. (11) All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
What I am seeing more and more in the church is a denial of discipline. We have raised up a generation of believers who want independence. No discipline. All right and wrong is subjective to carnal appetites. No pastoral or even doctrinal foundation. No spiritual guidance or direction. We are simply seeing believers move towards what satisfies the flesh. If it makes me feel good, if it makes me comfortable, it must be alright. When Father God brings discipline into our lives we ignore it, blame our “hardness” on the devil, our family, our co-workers, etc. We simply don’t have the insight to know this can be from God.
We are dealing with this in great numbers. I am seeing a lot of young people move towards the flesh and resist sound doctrine. They are entertaining doctrines that are not scripturally sound. They may bring a sense of pleasure to the flesh and to our carnal appetites and thinking but they are not sound doctrinal beliefs. I am concerned about this. I am burdened that this generation is in some ways modeling their behavior after a previous generation of independent thinkers. The problem with following after a previous model is usually the succeeding generations are worse in their behavior of subjective doctinal interpretation.
Pastortimteague's Blog 
I’m sure that from a theological viewpoint there are multiple reasons for half-hearted service and dedication to God.
I personally think that in many cases it begins with overall church leadership trying to make service, as simple as salvation,i.e. show up, pay your tithes and all’s well.
In no way would I attempt to diminish personal responsablity, but people will generally get away with as much as they are permitted.
I think and believe that so many programs are focused on being “USER FRIENDLY” that as long as the basic doctrine is adhered to, leadership backs away from rocking the boat.
This could easily become a chronic problem and fester a congragation or generation of under achievers.
In one sense you can witness an overall societal issue like a welfare state, feed me, clothe me, heal me but don’t expect reciprocity.
None of us like having our toes stepped on, but you have to admit, nothing feels quite like that first shake of your head after a good splash of cold water.
Pastor Teague,
What the church and the World need is a strong Word for this generation. We need men and women who preach the Gospel, and men and women who Paul says,” Do the work of an Evangelist” to keep it preach the TRUTH, and to not compromise.
In a day of politics, lies, and compromise this is a breath of fresh air to hear a REAL Word from God’s Word!
Pastor Teague..what a thought provoking post. Todd and I we just discussing this similar topic the other day, about how the church has lost the distinctive of “sanctification”. We have many people in our churches that are content to have just accepted Christ as their Savior and wish to go no further…they don’t want to change their lifestyle, the just want the convenience of salvation and an avenue to cleanse their conscience. This is where I believe many churches are missing it…we have watered down the gospel to make it look appealing and “relevent”. We’d better be careful, because we will be held accountable for what we say and teach. I agree 100%.
Todd and Angie,
Thanks. I appreciate your thoughts. I have a high degree of respect for your work and your visionary leadership. In some circles this is a controversial topic to say the least. I purposely left out some support scrips to initiate some scriptural discussion on the issue. I really believe this has been provoked by what I call the “easy believeism” approach to evangelism. We saw this in the recent remarks by some of the founding fathers of this approach to growing churches. While they admitted they could attract a crowd they failed in teaching strong doctrinal support. They have made major shifts in their practices. We are no different. We fell in to the same trap. Not all of “us” chased the easy believeism models. We used certain practices but some in every camp chased after these models as though their founders were bringing some new undiscovered method of reaching people. We forgot that Jesus didn’t say reach or attract people. His command was to go and make disciples. Back to the drawing board for a lot of churches. For all of us who are now dealing with the residual group of undisciplined followers of Christ.