Round Table Discussion:

Has the “leaven of the Pharisees and Herod” inhibited deeper repentance and reform from taking place within the Church, especially financial/economic ?

Jesus warned the disciples: “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” – Mark 8:15. What does Jesus’ warning mean for us today?

“Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him”. – Luke 16:14

“And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” – Matt 7:3-5

  • Herod = Government
  • Pharisees = Religion
  • Leaven = sin

Questions

  1. What deceptions (falsehoods, conspiracy theories) have crept into the US Church today, which prevent or limit the church from transforming a nation and seeing the revival we all hope and pray for?
  2. Who/What have we aligned with as the leaven of ‘Herod’?
  3. What divides the US Church today?

Here is an interesting insight from the CEO of the Sentinel Group’s (George Otis Jr. Transformation Videos), Larry Page. He wrote in Jan 2019:

If Jesus gave a State of the Church in America address, what might He have to say?

Don’t worry, I have no intention of speaking for God in assessing the Church. But if you will indulge me, I will share some questions I would hope He would address in such a speech.

By the way, if you think this line of thought is foolish — i.e., Jesus’ giving a State of the Church address — re-read Revelation 2-3. Like that portion of God’s Word, I assume He would have some things to commend and some things to condemn.

I would ask Jesus these questions:

• Some have stated the condition of society is the report card of the Church. Is that true?

• So much prayer is arising from the Church in this hour, calling for revival. It has been going on for a number of years now. Why have we not witnessed the answer to those prayers?

• As I scan Your “State of the Churches” address recorded in Revelation 2-3, the church that most resembles the American Church is Laodicea. Are we as blind to our own faults as they were to theirs? And are You outside the Church, knocking to get in?

• What do You recommend to remedy our condition?

I missed last night’s State of the Union address. I am at a prayer summit with other pastors and Christian leaders. It is good, but I must say, I am curious about the circus that may have been displayed around that address. I doubt anything shared there will heal the great rift in our nation.

Our needs are far beyond the reach of politicians. The hope for our nation lies in the hands of the Church, the people of God.

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