Operation never AC's

 

Get ready to deal with: 

Neglect a Strong Emphasis on Dependence Upon the Holy Spirit

This is the Area we will be dealing with in this final segment (June 13-14) of the Operation Never AC's - 

—Orton goes on, “the necessity of regeneration and sanctification by a constant dependence on the Holy Spirit of God for assistance and strength in the duties of the Christian life.” Dying churches, somewhere along the way, began to subtly and perhaps imperceptibly quench, grieve or usurp the Holy Spirit of God. They took matters into their own hands.

How often a pastor is tempted to usurp the work of God’s Spirit—we all want our church family to manifest spiritual maturity, so we attempt to manufacture a quick conformity to outward appearances rather than patiently allowing God’s Spirit to cultivate an internal, organic growth.
It’s easy to set up outward, measurable standards of appearance and performance. We like to do this because it validates us, makes us feel successful as Christians and leaders. Yet the outward conformity COULD be merely a cover for the absence of inward dependence. Healthy churches emphasize the gradual, growing work of God’s Spirit within the believer, over the work of quick, manmade, external conformity.

Orton describes these six things as a “fatal deadness” that spreads over the entire congregation. I think he was hitting the target—for the 1700s and for today! The local church of Jesus Christ is designed to flourish with life, health and joy. While dying or dead churches are a dime a dozen, may God stir up a new generation of churches that defy death and embrace the life and health that only His grace and His Spirit can produce!