Clogged Christian Channels

Clogged Christian Channels Gen 26:15 (Mark 4:19, Luke 8:14)

Some time ago our kitchen sink stopped up. I tried all I could to unstop it; plunging, draining pipes and pouring hot water down, turning the disposer on in hopes to drain it, and finally draino. When none of that worked I called Jack. He came and did some of the same things I did, they didn't work for him either. He then got a little piece that attaches to the end of a garden hose and goes down the drain. He put down the air escape on the roof and we turned the water on. It cleared out what ever was in the way. Our sink began to flow again.

Several months ago there was so much water in the Mississippi river that it was backing up and flooded thousands of acres if not hundred of thousands, because it was stopped the water wasn't or couldn't flow properly.

In this lesson we find a well had been dug that had supplied many a drink to the weary worker or traveler. Probably provided many a bath, and aided in the cooking of many a meal but now was stopped up. It had been filled with earth that could have been; dry or loose earth, ashes, debris, rubbish,

Sometimes that is why the wells don't flow spiritually. We must have purity before power, purity before sanctification and before the anointing and before any other outpouring of the Holy Ghost.

1. Have any of you heard the message "This is That" by L B Hicks? He tells of several times when people were crossed up that when they would get things fixed it would bring the power.

But lets look at this well and see if we can dig again the wells that have been stopped.

1. We must remove all the rubbish -and dirt. maybe you have been filled or aided others in gossiping. (have you heard the dirt)

A. What is gossip? Webster defines it -One who runs from house to house, tattling and telling news; an idle tattler. Mere tattle; idle talk. To prate; to chat; to talk much.

Usually this is done in secret but sometimes it is done in groups.

B. Bro. Barker was pastoring a church and went to visit someone's house he knew there were church problems but didn't know who severe they were. He went to call on someone and found they were having a prayer meeting. So he just went inside knelt down in the doorway and began to pray. What he didn't realize they had met to "PRAY" about a new pastor and one by one they slipped out over him till he was the only one left.

1. Bro. McDonald called gossip - "buzzard puke"

It will stop up your well. You'll learn to analyze everyone and carry around a little black book with nearly everyone in it but yourself.

2. A Quaker couple had been talking about the condition of their church and finally the husband looked at his wife and said, "Well wife it seems it be just thee and me going to heaven and I have some doubts about thee."

C. I used to be very judgmental, and God really had to work on me until now I'd nearly give the devil the benefit of the doubt. not really but Gossip and judging go hand in hand.

2. Next come out the debris- The acts of disobedience.

A. I realize one cannot maintain a proper relationship with God and be disobedient. However I fell God is merciful and does give chance and opportunity.

1. How many times have you been in church and felt the nudge to testify or shake someone’s hand or stand to your feet in a song or walk the ailse and you did not do it?

2. How many times have you felt like speaking to someone about their soul, giving someone a tract or a Bible and did not do it?

3. Have you ever felt you have disobeyed God in some matter? These types of things if not taken care of will stop your well will CLOGG YOUR CHANNEL and God's spirit cannot flow thru.

3. Then we have to clean out the ashes from lack of spiritual maintenance

A. I once made a statement that I think may not be true for every case but I think is for the majority. Most backslidden cases are from a lack of prayer.

B. It's when we don't pray that we are powerless.

C. It's when we don't read that we are sword less.

1. Bro. Sckenk from Rogers made an excellent point at Convention on this. He said the Bible is not just a sword but and arsenal full of them. If you have one temptation God has a promise or a sword for that etc.

2. But if you don't read you won't find those promises.

The channel may not be unclogged in one day but It can be done. If there is something trying to get in or has gotten in, Let God help you to get it cleared out.

I'm not even talking backslidden I'm talking about a lack of power a lack of the Spirit that we need so desperately. God want to give it to us. I've noticed something. Usually God moves on a person before he moves on a crowd. The channel is open and God flows thru it.