Church: A Spiritual Preservation Society
By: Elder James Groce
Someone belonging to the Society For The Preservation Of The Whale, coined the phrase: “See a whale soon, so you will be able to tell your grandchildren what one looked like.” In the natural realm, men have made extinct numerous species of animals. Many others are now classified in the endangered species category. One of the these endangered species is the Whooping Crane. Near Arkansas Pass, Texas there is a Whooping Crane refuge that offers protection and, hopefully, a place of reproduction for these few remaining birds.
The question is: “Could there ever be a time when the things pertaining to the church find themselves in a similar situation of, for instance, the Whooping Crane? The alarming answer to this question is, “Yes!”
In the book of Revelation, chapter three and verse two, there is a fearful warning to the church in Sardis: “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.” (emphasis mine). The Lord is here urging the church of Sardis to form a preservation society for these spiritualessentials that have sadly found themselves listed on the endangered species list.
Perhaps we ought to look about us, and acknowledge the decimation of certain spiritual species that need protection today. By the way, what attributes to the extinction of a species? There are several factors involved; (1) The species is destroyed by greed of men. (2) The species home and place of reproduction is destroyed by man. (3) The species isconsidered of so little value that they die without concern. Are not these the same reasons for the demise of spiritual things? How many holiness standards have become extinct because of the greed of men? Preachers that become hirelings, that have thrown themselves and their flocks into the pit of compromise. Preaching for “filthy lucre sake”rather than the burden of the Lord, 1 Pet 5:2 “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;” Also, has the old fashion prayer room of yesteryear been taken out of our new and improved facilities? Has prayer found itself on the endangered list because its home has been done away with? Mat 21:13 “And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Likewise, worship of the saints to a holy God has been appraised of so little value in many assembliesthat all that is left is a dry and desolate form. 2 Tim 3:5 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
How did Preservation Societies come into being? Someone looked around one day and became alarmed at the dwindling numbers of a certain specie. Isn’t that what is needed today? Or shall we be sentenced to only a memory of how it use to be? God used extreme measures to awaken His people to the near extinction of some spiritual essentials. He brought men that gathered sycamore fruit and men that tended flocks and men from out of nowhere, to become prophets with the voice of warning. God raised up judges in the hour when men did that which was right in their own eyes to judge the nation of Israel. May God help us today–sending forth His word with an unfettered and fearless ministry. Hosea 12:13 “And by a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.”
Someone devoid of understanding exclaimed, “I’m sick of hearing about the past, let’s just look to tomorrow!” My friend, the foundation of yesterday cannot be disregarded if one hopes to build for tomorrow. It is “yesterday,” that establishes us “today!” God designed His church to operate according to Col. 1:23 “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;” and Acts 2:42 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” How many times must we be remindedof Prov 22:28 “Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.”
Every saint of God that has the blessed privilege of sitting under a strong holiness minded preacher ought to give thanks for a man of God that strives to preserve the things of God. A man that labors in the word and doctrine to place within you the readiness of a rapture call. Stop looking down the road at Laodicea and desiring their “liberty.” Get behind your preacher with your heart, mind and soul, recognizing that the standards that he upholds are fast dying away in so many less fortunate churches (those that don’t have a true blue Apostolic preacher). Desiring to be a saint that worships God from the heart and not out of a dead and lifeless spirit. Supporting your preacher with a hearty “Amen!” as he engages all hell to bring forth the Word of God.
I watched as visitors to the Whooping Crane sanctuary brought their cameras and marveled at the sight of those beautiful birds that are so rarely seen anywhere else. Here was something seldom seen or witnessed (though it had at one time been very common). Visitors to a real Apostolic, one God, holiness, Bible preaching church exclaim; “I’ve never seen or felt anything like it!” OH! Thank God, for our brethren that continue to make their churches a spiritual preservation society!
The Above Material Was Taken From A Transcription Of A Message By James Groce. This Material May Be Used For Study And Research Purposes Only.
