ARE WE LEAVING THE ESTABLISHED PATTERN ?

Contributed by:

Pastor Robert G. Walker
Lakeland, Florida

Bro. Walker, the pastor of the Lakeland, Florida Assembly asked me to publish the following. I decided to do this only after warning him that he will probably receive a lot of criticism because of it. He is my friend, Brother, and fellow laborer in the gospel and I am pleased to stand with him. Paul B. Dyal

The Lord brought me to the Body of Christ in 1968 through the Houston Assembly under Brother Clyde Patton. I labored there for over twenty five years, then I moved to Tampa, Fla. and am now in Lakeland, Fla. where, between the two, I have been for the last sixteen years. I say this to let you know that I am not new to this body of people. I have learned that there are landmarks to respect. I have learned that we should build according to a specific pattern. I have seen a lot of things happen and go on through the years.

The Lord put a love in my heart for this message, this ministry, and this people. I believe the message is that of a restored church and overcoming in order to be a part of the Bride of Christ. I am thankful for all the truths that the Lord has given this given this body of people.I will not comment about the other truths, (such as the Godhead, Hell, resurrections, etc...) because they are not under attack at the present time. I do want to voice my concern regarding areas that are under attack now from within. We have always looked for attacks from without but never have I realized with such acuity what the apostle means in Acts 20:29.

I am strongly voicing my concern because what I have observed and witnessed lately requires serious consideration. I have seen a lot of things happen and go on through the years, as I mentioned earlier. But I can't recall some of the things we are experiencing now.

In the past few months, I have seen men allowing disgruntled saints to go and open up a church just a few miles down the road from another well established church. When I was in the Jerseyville Ministers Meeting and did not hear any guidelines in that meeting that would condone the decision to open another church just a few miles away from the one that is already set. Two wrongs don't make a right.

In the last few months I have seen, "a front row minister" take the liberty to promote change in a major standard among this body of people under the premise of wanting to win people from Babylon and the world. His explanation is that he wants to make them comfortable when they come to church. When I came to the Body of Christ, I was taught to leave the world behind, not to be conformed to this present world but to be transformed by the renewing of my mind. When people come to the truth they should feel uncomfortable. There, was their opportunity to hear the truth about what was making them uncomfortable so they could change. Three thousand on the day of Pentecost did not change the one hundred and twenty in the upper room but it was the other way around. The same way when I came around this body of people, something in them made me feel uncomfortable. I felt uncomfortable in my short sleeved shirt without any tie or suit on. I saw and felt something that I fell in love with. Then I begin to realize that what I wanted was not free. There was a price tag on it. Yes, when you are in that condition, the preacher might sound offensive to you. Well, remember that Jesus Christ was the most offensive preacher that ever walked on this earth. If you don't believe me go ahead and read Matthew twenty three among many other passages of the scriptures. I can't find one of the where He made the Pharisees feel comfortable in His services. No wonder they were always trying to find ways to trick Him then kill Him. You don't look for ways to kill someone if he is catering to you.

In the last few weeks I have seen a group of trustees and leading people in a church vote the preacher out. Never heard of this one before among us. What are we coming to? How far can we remove the landmarks until someone will notice? Are we leaving our pattern of building? Where are the watchmen? Or are there any watchmen on the wall? I believe it is time for men who have convictions in holiness, principles, order, and standards to stand up and loudly blow their trumpets. Blessed are the people who know the sound of the trumpet! When you hear or witness such an event it almost takes your breath away. I have never been a part of Babylon, I have never witnessed Babylon, but it looks like it is coming speedily to us!

God's ways are different from men's ways. God's idea of leadership are so different from our own ideas. God hates certain doctrines as mentioned in the book of Revelation. He hates the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes. I remember the story of Aaron in Exodus 32, when he let the people tell him what to do. He gave a simplistic explanation to Moses on how the people wanted a calf. Sure it was nice of Aaron to be so considerate of the people. But there was a problem: God did not think it was so nice. I wonder what God is thinking about us right now as a body of people? It seems like the people are in control ... Now I know some people will jump on the band wagon and accuse me of being hard, insensitive, or thinking as a king etc... but I encourage you to remember and turn to the scriptures and see what God thinks about His leaders that do not lead as they were supposed to. In 1 Samuel 15:24, Saul feared the people and hearkened to their voice. As a consequence he lost his kingship.

For years I have heard it said that if we all operated our churches the way we do in the General Body none of us by now would have churches. Let us all take that statement in consideration so that we can prevent from building not according to the pattern... I just read this week that a large Protestant Organization has opened the door for homosexuals and lesbians to minister and have a same sex mate. Some of you reading this are saying "We will never come to that". Let me remind you that this Protestant Organization did not arrive at that place overnight. For years and years they have been letting down here and there from their principle and standards until they find themselves where they are today.

We need to realize that every time we let down a standard, every time we modify our order of operating to satisfy a little group, or to compromise, we are moving in the wrong direction. The day will come when men will open the door like this organization because the want to be politically correct. They are not willing to stand or they fear they might offend someone. Some of you are saying it will never happen. Don't be so sure! These things that I have mentioned above... I never thought that they would happen, but it is happening. It is time for the watchmen to be on the wall. It is time that they blow the trumpets! We all like to sing the song, "I'm building up a wall and I can't come down", Well, let us build the wall, according to the pattern that was given to us.

Robert G. Walker