Message

"Contending for the Authentic in a day of Imitations!"
by Rev. Lorraine D. Coconato
May 30, 2008

            Married for 35 years to a former merchandiser who worked in a large retail store, imitations of the authentic were not unusual! 

            Just prior to our marriage, designer brands began to gain momentum!  No longer did people wear “jeans” or “dungarees” but early designer labels of Pierre Cardin, Gloria Vanderbilt and Yves St. Laurent, etc., were sought after!  People considered them to be a notch above the ordinary and prices began to escalate as demand increased.

            After years of designer labels flooding the retail market, negating the uniqueness and value of the once pursued market, “knock-offs” or imitations began to surface from the four corners of the earth!  People flocked to flea markets, swap meets and the like to purchase a “look-a-like,” sincerely satisfied with this “genuine” imitation!

            1 Corinthians 15:46 teaches, “However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.” The natural precedes the spiritual!  The days of “imitations, counterfeits and look-a-likes” will soon come to an end!  These days embraced false relationships, multiple marriages, gender confusion, murder, violence and every evil work!   James 3:16 says, “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”  Just as seed bears fruit to the same kind, imitation begets imitation and everything that is not built upon the 100% genuine fountain of the Rock (Christ/Messiah) will crumble!

            The Church is not exempt from this intrusion of imitations and counterfeits!  In wanting to keep up with the “Joneses,” many in the Church begin to ride the wave of deception “I want what they have,” “I can make it happen,” “I will not be outdone!”

            Echoes of Isaiah in his divine prophetic call, Isaiah 6:5a, “So I said: Woe is me, for I am undone.”  The Body is “undone,” the imitations of the flesh have permeated into the sanctuaries of God and many seekers of revival have pursued forms of entertainment, performance and the idols at outpouring, that are not authentic, not helpful, and in some cases, non reverent!  Yes, revival can appear disorderly, but all true revivals will point to the purity, majesty and incomparable glory of the Living, Risen Christ and will exalt Him; not man or manifestations!

            Jesus is the Real One, the Holy One of Israel!  And as multitudes search for a sign and a wonder, something tangible to validate their search for the miraculous, the Miraculous One stands to His feet and says, Matt. 10:34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth.  I did not come to bring peace but a sword.”      

             Switch gears to the realm of the natural!  Media and entertainment begin to surf the possibilities of “reality” shows.  From “Extreme Makeover” to HGTV, “Start at Home” God is speaking!  We need an “extreme makeover” and we need to start at the Home of God, the sanctuaries of the Lord! All the counterfeits will be exposed!   God’s love will be shed abroad in the heart of His Church. Warnings by watchman, keeping watch day and night on the walls, will target the fake and expose the troubling!

            2 Corinthians 11:3-4 Paul said, inspired by the Holy Spirit, “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.  For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit, which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted -you may well put up with it!” 1 Corinthians 15:30 says, “And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour?” 1 Corinthians 8:9 warns, “But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.”

           All sincere believers desire an outpouring, a visitation of the glory of God!  1 Corinthians 6:12 reminds us, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” 1 Corinthians 6: 20 exhorts us, “For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Paul encouragement to us, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11: 1)

             The heavenly blueprint will be superimposed upon God’s Authentic Church and His people.  The boils of the Church will be healed; the holy poultice will be applied!   To the Church the Lord says, “For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies” says the Lord God, "Therefore turn and live!" (Ezekiel 18: 32)

            After severe chastening, Jesus told Peter, "…Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me; for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." (Matthew 16: 23)  Yet, on the day of Pentecost, Peter rises to his feet, baptized in power and authority, and contends for the authentic! 

            Rise to your feet, Church, be filled with His Spirit, seek the Lord while He may be found, inquire of Him in this day of imitations!  Contend for the authentic, get the real deal, get Jesus Christ!

In His love and service,

Pastor Lorraine D. Coconato
Leaves of Healing Tabernacle
Phone: (818) 700-7810
www.LOHTabernacle.com

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