November 07, 2014
Pastor Steve spoke in our Every Nation Philippines Staff Meeting today about keeping the pattern of Sound Words, Sound Doctrine, and Sound Teaching. (2 Timothy 1:13-14)
He gave the illustration of how a lion tamer can calm a lion by using a chair. The lion is distracted by the legs of the chair because it cannot focus. In the same way, we might become passive or ineffective if we are confused by trying to accomplish too many things at the same time.
He mentioned two possible distractions that we might be tempted to pursue.
Sometimes we’re tempted to pursue Experience.
Experience isn’t bad. I love my experiences with God. Until today I can still remember experiences as a child, a teenager, an adult, and on and on of times with God. Some experiences were in groups or events, many were alone. In short, experiences are good!
But they become a problem when we chase experiences. Here are some instances of this:
People who focus on the experience – whether it’s a concert-feel at the worship service, an undefinable pseudo-spiritual sensation, or are obsessed with having only one kind of preaching style – have tell-tale indicators.
If you encounter this in anyone, explain to them that our Mission and our Relationships are the priority here. If these experiences and encounters help us with the Mission great. But if we can accomplish the Mission and keep the Relationships without the experience sometimes, we’re good with that.
That’s what this movement is about.