Hosanna

by Pastor James Bell

Matthew, Mark and Luke all shared the phenomenal story of a demon-possessed man who lived among the tombs near the city of Gadara. No one could control this man. That is, until Jesus arrived on the scene. The spirits within the man cringed at the sight of Jesus and at his command they left the man free and sound of mind.

Among the graveyards of mainline Christianity toward the end of the last century, there emerged, not a maniac, but rather a charismaniac of sorts. It was known for it’s displays of power, it’s struggling against chains of restraint, and it’s habit of tearing itself (dividing) when frustrated in it’s purpose.

What is a charismaniac? I would call it “charisma-gone-bad”. It’s the perversion of something God-breathed. Charisma means “giftedness”, which is a blessed and good thing. But when gifts are not administered with scriptural authority and spiritual order, the word “mania” gets added to the equation.

So in the midst of a spiritual graveyard, charismania erupted. The roar of overzealous, out of order giftedness became unsettling and disturbing to many people who didn’t “get it” about the latest strain of hyped up, pseudo-prophetic power trips. From Baker to Bentley, from Hinn to Haggard, the idolatrous images of one-man shows crumbled to the ground. The faithful who followed now found themselves wandering through a graveyard, bound by the past, repeating words of proclamation that now seemed to fall powerless to the ground. Would this signal the end of an era?

Not at all. You see, there is no such thing as a counterfeit three dollar bill. There was once a spiritual reality and a scriptural authenticity in spiritual giftedness. That never died. It was just that ignorance screamed more loudly and was better financed than reason. But truth always triumphs in the end. We are at the end of charismania, but only growing stronger in genuine spiritual giftedness.

Okay, how does that play out in church services? Well, there is a list of things we probably will see a lot less of, and that list includes rhetorical, self-serving prophesies that are too vague to evaluate or are clearly and spectacularly wrong. The church has had it’s fill of both. Many of you could add to that list, but let’s not. Let’s talk instead about what we will see more of, or what’s being anticipated in the Spirit by many believers today.

The key phrase is “multiplicity of ministry”. We are finally excited about becoming Ephesians 4 churches. Spiritual gifts manifest in a way that glorifies God, not the gifted ones. Equipping happens on Sunday nights as we share spiritual insights with the passionate core of the church. Words are shared in our three Sunday daytime services as fresh, anointed direction from the Father, without appearing to be the second coming of Moses or Elijah. Healings happen during worship, even without the old healing- evangelist-type of prayer lines. We have exchanged production for presence. Sinners and saints alike now get the message that Jesus is Lord!

When the leaders and townspeople of Gadara visited the graveyard to see what happened, they found the “maniac” dressed nicely, smiling and sitting with Jesus. He now had the charisma, but that maniac phase was over.

Feeling the need for spiritual giftedness? Welcome to the new definition of “gifted”! The power has been there for a long time. It’s just that we’re learning how to glorify God in it’s use.

So more power to you! Use those gifts God has given you….for His glory!

Tags: charismatic, spiritual gifts

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