Another guideline is, Is Christ being exalted in the service or is an experience or special doctrine being exalted? People tell me all they hear in their church is "rapture, rapture, rapture, grace, grace, grace." Is it any wonder the saints are not mature but are spiritually stunted? This is not scriptural food. It is Christ Himself who is to be lifted up, not primarily Christ of history but Christ of today who is ready to meet every need. Brothers, Sisters, let us preach Christ, not about Christ but Christ!

We used to say in Pentecost, do not preach the Holy Spirit; do not preach tongues; do not preach healing; preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Today we hear sermons about what God has done, is doing, or will do in the service. This is not scriptural food. This is to exalt an experience rather than the Lord Jesus.

It is only as He is lifted up that all men will be drawn to Him.

We are not to preach the signs, the signs follow the preaching of Jesus Christ.

The signs are not the destination, the fullness of Christ is the destination. We are to be in His moral image and at rest in the Father through Him. This can only be accomplished as we are taught the commandments of Christ and His Apostles. Grace, grace, grace, rapture, rapture, rapture, various spiritual experiences, are not to be preached. Such preaching is destroying the moral strength of the Church of Christ. By grace we mean the lawless grace that is being taught in our day, not the true grace of God which is God in Christ enabling us to overcome sin and walk in the light of God's Presence.

The purpose of the gifts and ministries of the Spirit, and all other manifestations of spiritual life, is to build the Body of Christ. Whenever what is taking place in the service is not building up the members of the Body but is a private devotion or experience of some sort, then it is time for the elders to gently and courteously, but firmly, guide the believers into a more profitable demonstration. Often the best thing a misguided person can do is to sit and be quiet.

Each one of us needs to ask himself, "Is what I am doing profiting the Body of Christ? Is it building up the Body or is it my own personal manifestation or fun?"

If the eldership of the assembly is encouraging everyone to just let his hair down, so to speak, and do whatever feels good, then be sure this is not the Lord. Get out of there before you are harmed spiritually. God will not protect you if you are in a meeting out of His will.

Elders are the key to maintaining Divine order. The elders must be experienced, godly people who have a love for the saints. They must be gentle, apt to teach, patient, but they always must be ready to stop any proceeding that has gotten out of hand.

To be continued.