This
word Ichabod in the Hebrew is:
'Iy-kabowd, ee-kaw-bode' which
means; there is no glory, the glory of God is departed, i.e. inglorious.
1Sam.4:
21.
And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The
glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of
her father in law and her husband.
The
question that’s often being asked concerning the church is
“Where is the power of today’s
church; in relation to the power with church in the book of Acts operated?”
As we proceed let’s not be ignorant of this
fact (many churches in The New Testament church had just as much problems or
even more; Rev.2:1 – 3:22) needless to say with the freedom that we have today
to preach / teach the gospel; wherever there is a church house in a community;
that house / body of believers should be a direct reflective of God’s glory.
With
over four thousand churches throughout the Bahamas and with the amount of social
chaos, crime, high murder rate, incest, child abuse, corruption in high places,
etc; and due to its ineffectiveness in the communities, many questions are being
constantly asked about the relevancy of the church?
A
religious minded person would always object and take offense to such questions
being asked about the church, as to say that they’re standing up for and
defending the church; when in fact it’s erroneous religious teachings and the
traditions of men that are enemies of the church and making the word of God of
no effect.
In
studying the scripture and that which took place in the temple / church during
the priesthood of Eli, where his sons Hophni and Phinehas did as they pleased
which resulted in their actions having a negative impact on the nation Israel. During
a battle with the Philistines, Israel was defeated and lost four thousand men
and in their retreat Israel asked
“1Sam.4:3. Why did the LORD allow us to be
defeated by the Philistines?" Then they said, "Let's bring the Ark of
the Covenant of the LORD from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, it
will save us from our enemies."
:
4.
So they sent men to Shiloh to bring
back the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the
cherubim. Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, helped carry the Ark of God to
where the battle was being fought.
In
this particular battle Israel lost thirty four thousand in men one day
including Hophni and phinehas and the Ark of God captured by the Philistines.
With
all of the murders, bloodshed, other social ills and the massive deterioration
of family values that’s taking place here in the once God fearing Bahamas; one
would like to believe that our leaders (ESPECIALLY CHURCH LEADERS) even if they’re
not Holy Spirit filled / led; yet due to the fact that they are in the church
and seeing the direction with which the nation is heading. It’s only natural to
assume that being real men and the office of which they holds would compel them
take a firm stand, unite and with one voice speak out against what’s going in
the nation.
Unfortunately
this is not the case, as every church leader seems to be after his own interest
and not that of God’s and the nation. There’s no doubt that God wants to and is
going to restore His glory to the church, the place where his people come
together in cooperate worship; but not until He’s cleanse / rid the church of
the ungodly spirit of greed,
sexual
impurity, unfaithfulness, hatred and the likes.
Think
it not strange that many of today’s church leaders are passionately driven money
(receiving tithes and offerings, selling books or whatever they can get their
followers to buy), these leaders horde material things for themselves / their
sons and daughters at the expense of the people; they honor their religion and
traditions that always have a financial fleecing of the people attached, such
as (Pastor’s Appreciation, Church Anniversary, Conferences, Concerts, etc), rather
than truly honoring God by faithfully obeying his word
Watch
this!
NLT:
1Sam.2:
27.
One day a prophet came to Eli and gave him this message from the LORD:
"Didn't I reveal myself to your ancestors when the people of Israel were
slaves in Egypt?
:
28.
I chose your ancestor Aaron from
among all his relatives to be my priest, to
offer
sacrifices on my altar, to burn incense, and to wear the priestly garments as
he served me. And I assigned the sacrificial offerings to you priests.
:
29.
So why do you scorn my sacrifices
and offerings? Why do you honor your sons more than me--for you and they have
become fat from the best offerings of my people!
:
30.
"Therefore, the LORD, the God
of Israel, says: The terrible things you are doing cannot continue! I had
promised that your branch of the tribe of Levi would always be my priests. But
I will honor only those who honor me, and I will despise those who despise me.
Despite
the thousands of churches and “so-called men of God” in this country, the Bahamas
is in a downward spiral due to its spiritual wickedness in high places,
corruption and moral degradation.
Where there
was once God’s glory / anointing upon ministries and church leaders there now resides
(Ichabod)
- The glory is departed.
Therefore
these once anointed men of God have to resort to manipulation, witchcraft and
all kinds of money schemes to sustain the once Spirit led work.
Yes,
many of our church leaders are gifted; Gifted writers / authors, preachers,
teachers, pastors, musicians, singers, etc; but NO ANOINTING, for it’s the
anointing that makes the difference not the gifts.
Rom.11:29.
For the gifts and calling of God are without
repentance.
Pastors
Matthew & Brendalee Allen
Kingdom
Minded Fellowship Center Int’l
