If I Be Lifted Up From the Earth

     Saints, it is time to stop playing church.  The Bible says "If I be lifted up from the earth, I'll draw all men unto me." (John 12:32)  What does this mean?  When ministers preach the Word and focus on the Word, it will draw men and women to Christ.  Most people need strong meat.  They want a studied word that focuses on Jesus.  They don't want people who just get up and shoot from the hip.    Some people can do that and do it quite well because they have a lot of Word in them.  Bishop G.E. Patterson was good at that.  Bishop Charles E. Blake is good at that.  Bishop Milton R. Hawkins is good at that but they are good at that and always have notes to refer to if needed.  They seek God for a Word to deliver to His people and you can tell they are very studied.

     Some small churches with very few members have people who get up and throw jabs. They are not really teaching and that is not lifting God from the earth to draw people in to be saved. Those who are gifted to discern spirits can tell that.  Most people know if they have a call on their lives.  It is not anything new.  What you need to understand is that the set man or woman of the house releases their flock out into the world.  If someone has a calling, they need to talk to their pastor.  Don't let others who are not your pastor send you out.  Pastors will give you instructions on what to do. That's why I really don't visit other churches.  Too many people want to pastor other people's flock.