We all harbor that yearning, don't we? The desire to ignite a movement. To launch a Facebook group, cultivate a thriving page, or perhaps even pioneer a blog. Maybe it's a home gathering, born from a burning conviction that things ought to be different.
But let's be honest with ourselves. How often do we truly engage with other people's blogs, Facebook groups, or home fellowships? If our own attendance elsewhere is sporadic, what makes us think a multitude will flock to our gathering?
The data is clear: Facebook commands more attention than any other social media platform. It appears to be where "the sheep are," a point worth pondering for pastors and leaders alike. Yet, so much of Facebook engagement often feels like "preaching to the choir." We seem to be cultivating an ever-growing "amen" section, a comforting but perhaps ultimately contained audience.
So, should we celebrate the number of Likes and shares our posts garner?
Yes, and no.
Yes, because each share increases the probability that someone "on the fence" might encounter a word of inspiration and be nudged closer to Jesus. As Isaiah 55:11 (KJV) reminds us, "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Our words, when aligned with God's, have power.
No, because the digital realm often lacks the personal touch, the consistent follow-up vital for true discipleship. How many of those "on the fence" individuals receive the nurturing they need after a single inspiring post? The danger lies in mistaking initial engagement for lasting transformation. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 10:14 (KJV), posed a poignant question: "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" While our posts can plant seeds, someone must water them.
The Unseen Harvest
Ultimately, it isn't about the numbers on a screen. What if one solitary reader of your post is a woman at the well, yearning for living water, like the one Jesus encountered in John 4:7-30 (KJV)? What if another is a pre-conversion Billy Graham, destined to shake nations for Christ?
This truth echoes in the words of Paul:
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
(1 Corinthians 3:6-8 KJV)
Our role is to be faithful conduits, planting and watering as the Spirit leads. The increase, the true movement, belongs solely to God.
A Radical Abandonment
What happens when we daringly strip away every last vestige of self-promotion and selfish ambition? What happens when we become utterly abandoned to the leading of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to orchestrate every post, every gathering, every interaction?
Perhaps the true movement begins not with our clever strategies or impressive metrics, but with a profound surrender.
This post offers no neat conclusion, for some journeys are best illuminated by divine light. Let us, as James 1:5 (KJV) encourages, "ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
Hey everybody, Conrad here from ConradRocks.Net! Welcome and thank you for joining me. I had a bit of an experience this morning that got me thinking. I was out mowing my lawn here in South Mississippi at seven a.m., and the heat and humidity were already so intense, I felt like I deserved a medal just for finishing. It was a physical battle. That got me reflecting on another kind of battle we often face—the intense, and sometimes exhausting, struggle of learning something new in our spiritual walk. My passion is for you to develop a vibrant, personal, and spiritual relationship with the biblical Jesus, and that means we must be prepared for the challenges that come with true growth.
This isn't about just learning a new fact; it's about when the Holy Spirit reveals a truth that fundamentally challenges a long-held belief. It’s that moment when you read a passage of scripture for the hundredth time, and suddenly a new light shines on it, a light that contradicts a doctrine you've held dear for years. This is the perilous, yet profoundly rewarding, path to deeper truth. It’s a path that requires us to move beyond comfortable religion and into a dynamic, supernatural relationship with God.
The Spiritual Battleground: Cognitive Dissonance and the Carnal Mind
When you first encounter a new spiritual insight that conflicts with your established theology, the feeling can be incredibly disorienting. Psychologists call it 'cognitive dissonance'—the mental stress of holding two contradictory beliefs at the same time. For a believer, this can be even more intense. Your head might feel dizzy as you wrestle with the new revelation against the weight of tradition. Your spirit senses truth in the new, yet your mind clings to the safety of the old. It’s a genuine struggle, but it's a holy one.
This internal conflict is a clear picture of the battle the Apostle Paul describes in Romans 8. It is the war between the "carnal mind" and the "Spirit of truth." The Bible tells us, "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:5-7, KJV). The carnal mind isn't just neutral; it's hostile (enmity) toward God. It operates on logic, reason, and what it can see, touch, and prove. It builds neat theological boxes and resists anything that doesn't fit, especially the supernatural.
On the other side, we have the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus called the "Spirit of truth" (John 16:13, KJV). His job is to guide us into *all* truth. He is our divine teacher, the one who takes the things of God and reveals them to us. This is the essence of a prophetic life—not merely predicting the future, but being able to hear, understand, and declare what the Spirit of God is saying right now. To do this, we must learn to quiet the loud, insistent voice of the carnal mind and tune our spiritual ears to the frequency of heaven. We must give the Holy Spirit permission to challenge our presuppositions and blast through the theological lenses we've worn for years—lenses given to us by denomination, tradition, or even our own limited understanding.
A Case Study in Truth: The Radical Transformation of Saul of Tarsus
There is no better example of this radical, mind-altering transformation than Saul of Tarsus, who became the Apostle Paul. Before his encounter with Jesus, Saul was the poster boy for the religious system. He was a Pharisee of Pharisees, a brilliant theologian, and so zealous for his tradition that he was murdering Christians, sincerely believing he was serving God. He was trapped in a system that had the scriptures but had missed the entire point—Jesus.
What changed him? It wasn't a clever argument or a theological debate. It was a blinding, stunning, and completely supernatural encounter with the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). This single event shattered his entire reality. His intellect and religious training were rendered useless in the face of this undeniable revelation.
Notice what he says about it later: "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Galatians 1:11-12, KJV). After his conversion, he didn't immediately consult with the church leaders in Jerusalem. Instead, he "conferred not with flesh and blood" but went away into Arabia (Galatians 1:16-17, KJV). He needed to be alone with God to unlearn the errors of the religious system and be re-taught the truth directly by the Holy Spirit. He had to exchange his religious knowledge for a spiritual relationship.
And what was the result of Paul embracing this new, revolutionary truth? The very religious system that once celebrated him now vilified him. They called his pure, Spirit-led faith "heresy" (Acts 24:14, KJV). This is a critical lesson: when you begin to walk in a deeper, more authentic truth, do not be surprised if you face opposition, even from within the church.
The Cost of Discipleship: Righteousness, Revelation, and Rejection
This pattern of rejection is so common that Jesus made it a cornerstone of his teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. He didn't promise a life of ease; He promised a life of purpose that would often be met with resistance.
"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." (Matthew 5:10-12, KJV)
Let's dissect this. The blessing comes from being persecuted for "righteousness' sake." This isn't about being persecuted for being obnoxious or difficult. This is persecution that comes as a direct result of your life aligning so closely with the truth and character of God that it exposes the darkness in the systems of the world—and sometimes, in religious systems. It's the same reason the prophets were stoned. They didn't speak popular, ear-tickling messages; they spoke the uncomfortable, prophetic truth of God.
If you are stepping out in faith, embracing the supernatural gifts of the Spirit, and seeking a deeper revelation of Jesus, you may find yourself misunderstood or even rejected. Rejoice! It is a sign of authentic discipleship. You are in good company. This is the cost, but also the confirmation, of a genuine walk with God. It means your light is shining brightly enough to bother the darkness.
Practical Steps for Cultivating Deeper Spiritual Growth
So, how do we navigate this perilous path? How do we actively cultivate a life of continuous revelation and spiritual growth? It requires intentionality.
1. Become a Modern-Day Berean: In Acts 17:11 (KJV), the believers in Berea were called "more noble" because they didn't just passively accept Paul's teaching. They "received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." We must do the same. Don't blindly accept any teaching, including mine. Be a diligent student of the Bible. Let the Word of God be your ultimate plumb line for truth. This is the foundation of sound theology and strong faith.
2. Embrace the Tension of Scripture: As I mentioned in the podcast, when you find scriptures that seem to contradict, don't just pick the one that fits your preference and ignore the other. That tension is an invitation from the Holy Spirit. It's a signpost pointing to your next Bible study. Pray over those passages. Ask God for wisdom. More often than not, what seems like a contradiction is simply a deeper, more nuanced truth that God wants to reveal to you. This is how we move from a shallow understanding to a profound one, having our doctrine "attenuated" or dialed in more perfectly, just as Aquila and Priscilla did for Apollos (Acts 18:26).
3. Prioritize Encounter Over Education: Bible study is essential, but it must lead to encounter. We are not called to be theologians who simply know *about* God; we are called to be sons and daughters who *know* God intimately. Position yourself for supernatural encounters. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17, KJV). This hearing is not just auditory; it's a spiritual reception. Spend time in worship, in prayer, in solitude. Listen to faith-filled messages. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you, to give you dreams and visions, to manifest His power in your life. The Christian life is meant to be a supernatural adventure!
4. Live the Truth You're Given: James 1:22 (KJV) warns us, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." Every new revelation of truth comes with an invitation to apply it. As you learn, you must live it out. This is how we become the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world" (Matthew 5:13-14). The truth transforms us so we can transform the world around us through our good works, which ultimately glorify our Father in heaven.
Conclusion: The Reward of the Journey
The path to deeper spiritual truth can feel perilous. It will challenge your thinking, stretch your faith, and may even lead to rejection. But the reward is immeasurable. It is the reward of intimacy with Jesus. It is the joy of partnering with the Holy Spirit. It is the peace of being grounded in truth, and the excitement of living a powerful, effective, supernatural Christian life.
If we aren't having our minds blown by a fresh revelation from God every so often, we risk becoming stagnant. I encourage you today: ask God to challenge you. Ask Him to teach you something new, to take you deeper than you've ever been before. He is faithful to do it.
Has this post resonated with you? What new spiritual truths is God revealing in your life? Please leave a comment below; I would genuinely love to hear from you. Be sure to share this post on your social media to encourage others on their journey.
Today, I want to talk about something that’s been more than just a passing thought; it's a topic that has been stirring deep in my soul for a long, long time. You know how the Lord plants a seed? It’s not something you can rush. You can't just dig it up the next day to see if it’s growing. You rise and sleep, and somehow, God gives the increase. This particular seed has been bubbling up to the surface, and I finally have to speak on it.
The words are exhort, evangelize, and preach.
Have you ever found yourself sitting in a church service, looking around, and a quiet question forms in your mind: "Where is this in the Scripture?" Maybe you’ve felt a disconnect, a disparity between the traditions we practice and the raw, powerful faith we read about in the Book of Acts. It’s one of my biggest pet peeves, seeing how our traditions, as Jesus said to the Pharisees, can nullify the Word of God. When I read the book of Acts, a part of me gets fired up, even a little angry, because I see a model of the spiritual and supernatural life that seems so distant from our modern experience.
This post is about closing that gap. It's about rediscovering the original, potent meaning of these three foundational actions. It’s a call to examine ourselves, to see if we are truly in the faith as the Bible describes it, and to reclaim the dynamic, world-changing power that Jesus promised to His followers.
The Missing Signs: Where is the Power?
Let's start with a foundational promise from Jesus Himself. In Mark 16, He gives the Great Commission, and it's packed with a word we need to understand: preach.
"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mark 16:15-18, KJV)
The passage doesn't stop there. It tells us what the disciples did next: "And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen." (Mark 16:20, KJV)
This puts a critical question on my radar, and it should be on yours too: If these signs are meant to follow believers, where are they today? If we see a lack of the supernatural—the healings, the deliverance, the divine protection—we have to ask why. It forces us to examine ourselves, as Scripture commands, to see if we're truly in the faith. We often quote Hosea 4:6, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Could it be that our lack of knowledge about the true nature of preaching, exhorting, and evangelizing is what’s holding back the power of God in our lives and communities?
I believe we might be missing the mark. The word "sin" itself means "to miss the mark." So let's take aim and redefine our understanding of these crucial concepts, starting with the word "exhort."
1. The True Meaning of "Exhort" (Parakaleo)
When you hear the word "exhort," what comes to mind? For many, it might have a connotation of stern warning or correction. But the Greek word, parakaleo, is much richer. It’s related to Parakletos (the Comforter, the Holy Spirit) and means an impartation of solace, comfort, and consolation. The King James Dictionary defines it as "to embolden, to cheer, to advise... to excite or to give strength, spirit, or courage."
It’s about inciting someone to a good deed, to animate them, to urge them on. Paul uses it this way in 1 Corinthians 14:3, where he connects it directly with the prophetic gift:
"But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort." (1 Corinthians 14:3, KJV)
This is exactly what I see happen when we're out praying for people. So often, we encounter the "lost sheep of the house of Israel"—lukewarm or backslidden Christians who feel off-course. Our role in that moment is to exhort them. It’s a prophetic act of course correction. We remind them of the abundant life Jesus promised and help them identify the "rocks" in their soil—unforgiveness, bitterness, church hurt—that are choking out the Word. We use the keys to the kingdom that Jesus has given us to help them rise up in their faith again. This isn't about condemnation; it's about breathing courage and spirit back into a weary soul.
2. The Work of an "Evangelist" (Euaggelistes)
Next, let's look at "evangelist." We might think of massive crusades with figures like Reinhard Bonnke. But the word only appears three times in the New Testament. In 2 Timothy, Paul gives a charge to his young protégé that reveals the heart of this role:
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine... But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." (2 Timothy 4:2-5, KJV)
Notice the context: enduring afflictions, dealing with people who have "itching ears" and have turned to fables. The work of an evangelist is the work of a preacher of the gospel, and it’s not always glamorous. It involves perseverance and a commitment to truth even when it's unpopular. It's tied directly to the act of preaching and exhorting, often in difficult circumstances. It's a role every believer is called to step into in some capacity, sharing the good news wherever we are.
3. The Radical Call to "Preach" (Kerusso)
This brings us to the most misunderstood word of all: preach. What is your paradigm of preaching? Is it a polished 45-minute sermon delivered from a pulpit to a room full of saved people? For centuries, that has been the tradition handed down to us. But is it biblical?
The Greek word is kerusso, and it means "to herald, as a public crier." A herald doesn't speak in a private room; they cry out in the public square. They proclaim a message for all to hear. Look at how Jesus defines it when He sends out the twelve:
"And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:7-8, KJV)
Notice they are going. They are moving. Christianity is a portable religion. And the preaching is immediately followed by supernatural power. Later in the same chapter, Jesus intensifies the public nature of this call:
"What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops." (Matthew 10:27, KJV)
This is about a deep, personal, spiritual relationship with the biblical Jesus. What He speaks to us in the "darkness," in those quiet, prophetic night seasons, we are to proclaim from the rooftops! This isn't preaching to the choir; this is preaching to people who might want to harm you. It’s a public, bold, and courageous heralding of the good news.
From the Housetops to the Streets: My Experience
This isn't just theory for me. I’ve seen the difference between the traditional model and the biblical one firsthand. A while back, my wife Susan and I, along with some friends, went down to Beale Street in Memphis. We were just carrying signs that said "Jesus" and "Free Prayer." It was a typical night, with crowds hell-bent on partying. We saw a group with a PA system playing worship music. One of the guys saw my Christian t-shirt and the sign. The first thing he said to me was, "You want to talk?"
And just like that, I began to preach on a public street corner, right across from the Hard Rock Cafe. I talked about relationship, not religion. And you know what happened? The cops came and told me to stop. It was a stark reminder that when you’re truly preaching in the biblical sense, you will face opposition. But those are the people who need to hear it most.
On another occasion, during an outreach, I saw a man on the side of the road with his own PA system set up in a parking lot. He had a small pulpit and a microphone, and he was preaching the gospel with passion. We stopped to listen, and I was blown away. This was it. This was kerusso in action. This was biblical preaching. And as I watched, two or three different people walked up and gave the man an offering, completely unprompted. He didn't have to compel them or manipulate them. His obedience to the call bore witness in their spirits, and they wanted to support the work of God they were seeing.
A Call to Action for Team Jesus
I see articles every day about how our nation is drifting further from God, and I believe it's directly connected to the apathy in the Church. Too many of us are hiding in our buildings, just waiting for the rapture, when we are called to be out in our communities, making an impact. We are called to exhort the weary, to do the work of an evangelist, and to preach—to herald the good news—in the public square.
It's time for Team Jesus to rise up. It's time to step out of our comfort zones, endure the afflictions that may come, and get serious about bringing people into the kingdom of God. Ask yourself this sobering question: If your church disappeared today, would your community even notice?
Let's reclaim the spiritual, prophetic, and supernatural power that is our inhJoin the Conversation!
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What are your thoughts on the modern state of preaching and evangelism?
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