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The Titanic was
one of the greatest ships that has ever
sailed the seas. When built it was
considered unsinkable. Today, when the name
Titanic is mentioned, we think of one thing
– the boat that was, is no more. It’s at the
bottom of the sea. What a legacy!
The name “Titanic” has become synonymous
with the idea that a disaster can be
avoided. You see, the sinking of the Titanic
provides an analogy of what can happen to
human aspirations when humbled by
circumstances. A great ship that was deemed
to be unsinkable – sank because it hit an
iceberg. The disaster did not have to happen
if proper precautions had been taken.
The Process of Sinking the Titanic
In the case of the Titanic, human pride and
accomplishment came to a tragic end in a
moment. The Titanic was on its maiden
voyage. The captain was sailing in dangerous
waters. Although he had been warned to be
careful, the boat was thought to be
invincible. But of course we know now, this
was not the case.
Nature and its forces intervened to show
mankind is subservient. Of course, the
Titanic provides an excellent spiritual
lesson for those who study the Bible. Great
things, great countries, and great leaders
can come to and end when a sovereign God
pulls the plug.
The history of Christianity shows that the
sinking of the Titanic can help us to
understand what often happens to
denominations and organizations. There comes
a time when an organization that was sailing
successfully, hits an iceberg and then takes
on water.
In the case of the Titanic, the
circumstances that brought about the sinking
of the ship could have been avoided. Perhaps
the captain got a bit too confident. Or
maybe the crew was giving him faulty
information.
Maybe some of the crew wanted the captain to
make a mistake. Maybe some of the crew
wanted to be captain when the captain
retired or died. Whatever the case, the
dangerous waters could have been avoided. If
only a watchman would have sounded the
alarm. Of course the captain would have had
to listen and act accordingly.
But as we know, if there was a watchman who
warned the captain, the captain did not
listen. The mighty ship hit an iceberg that
knocked a hole in the wall of the ship. Some
felt the bump but there were those who did
not. Soon the boat began to take on water.
Then the boat began to list. At first the
party continued until it became apparent
there was a serious problem.
Eventually concern turned into panic. There
was a mad scramble for the lifeboats. As the
boat went into its final dive, many had to
jump off in desperation. Some were saved but
many were not. The ship went down to the
bottom of the Atlantic. The greatest ship
that had ever been built did not make it to
America. How tragic! How sad!
The Process of Sinking a Denomination
Now, think for a moment. Could a Christian
denomination go the way of the Titanic?
Could the process of sinking be avoided? Is
it possible that the captain could foresee
the inevitable but do nothing to prevent it?
Over the years of history, many
denominations and movements that were once
sailing “smoothly” went down just like the
Titanic. Apparently, given time, this is
what happens, and it just cannot be avoided.
Why is this so? The answer is simple.
Christians are humans and human behavior can
be predicted.
It is at this point in the analogy that I
want to point out a difference. The
similarity of using the captain of a ship in
comparison with the leader of a denomination
may not be appropriate. Denominations, while
they may have a moderator or a president,
also have others who are striving for
position.
The Roman Catholic Church would be a good
example. The pope is the top guy. However,
next in line are the cardinals. Following
this are the bishops, the priests and
finally the people.
There comes a time when the pope gets old
and weak. Common sense says there must be a
new pope in the making. The new pope is
always chosen from the cardinals. While I
have never been in a meeting where the next
pope was about to be chosen, I am sure there
is a lot of political lobbying.
Of course, in order to take over as pope, it
is advantageous to be well known. Most
cardinals start out as ordinary sheep. First
they have to become a priest. A bishop is
the next step up the ladder before taking
over as cardinal. Cardinals wear different
hats and different robes and are noticeably
different looking than a bishop. You can
pick a cardinal out in a crowd. Besides they
always get to speak at the important
conferences.
You see, denominations that have hierarchies
like the Roman Catholic system are looking
for trouble. Without knowing it, there is a
tendency to get one’s eyes off Jesus and on
to a human system. Rather than focusing on
being a servant and reaching people, there
is a possibility to seek after success for
the cause of developing personal kingdoms.
When denominations take on the essence of
secular corporations, the Spirit of God
departs. When this happens, it is very
difficult to recover. Further, the love that
once was abundant in this fellowship goes
south.
The cardinals in the organization who are
seeking after position put the pope between
them and Jesus. Sometimes, the cardinals are
better known than the pope. They can even
veto the pope and do their own thing if they
choose.
This pattern that develops is also quite
contagious. The pope model of leadership
actually gets cloned and passed down.
Churches within the denomination play a game
similar to follow the leader. Staff members
and assistant pastors at these churches
follow the law of the corporation. This
means one hundred percent loyalty to man is
required. When one is not one hundred
percent loyal, you are shown the door. Too
bad if you were attempting to serve Jesus!
When carnal people are driven to be loyal to
a man rather than to Jesus, there is a
potential to even perform illegal acts.
However, while this is happening, those who
are being loyal don’t realize that anything
is wrong. They are still God’s men. They are
just doing what they believe to be right.
At first, the common people can’t see there
is a problem. However, there are signs
indicating that something is wrong. Some
begin to warn others. When they warn, they
are told they are traitors. They are told if
they don’t like what they see they should
find another boat. However, they don’t want
to find another boat. They liked the boat
the way it was before it became a submarine.
Eventually, the secular media reports there
are problems that should have been
addressed. Dirty laundry is placed in public
view. Why didn’t someone wash these dirty
clothes before?
Finally, the passengers start to panic. “Why
didn’t the captain tell us sooner?” they
shout as they scramble to save themselves
from drowning. The only option they have is
to get off the ship and find a lifeboat.
Learning from the Titanic
All is not lost. There is good news even
though a movement or a denomination sinks.
Christian history reveals there is always a
remnant that survives when the ship goes
down. There are many sincere Bible-believing
pastors who want to do what is right. They
love God’s Word. They know that its not
about property, possession and power. They
want to feed the sheep and reach the lost.
Isn’t that the way the denomination started
in the first place?
God is sovereign, you see. Jesus said, “Upon
this rock, I will build my church and the
gates of hell will not prevail against it.”
While Satan has his plan, God has the right
plan. All those who trust in Jesus alone
will spend eternity with Him.
This is what keeps me going!
We are in the last days. Many churches that
once were giving their all to be biblical
are now gone off track. The Scriptures state
we should not be surprised. Satan is out to
take down every Christian organization that
once stood for truth.
Are you going to let him take you down?
This is a time to get serious about truth.
Pastors of churches that proclaim the truth
will be like lighthouses that shine bright
into the darkness in the future. The darker
that it gets, the brighter their lights will
shine.
If you know a church, a fellowship, or a
movement that is like the Titanic, PRAY.
Pray the captain will warn the people that
which is underway. Let the light of God’s
Word shine into darkness and reveal Satan’s
plans.
Pray that the things that have been hidden
in darkness will be brought into the light.
God cannot use an organization that allows
darkness to exist alongside it. In these
days, judgment must begin in the house of
the Lord. God is a righteous God. He hates
darkness. God would not be God if this were
not the case.
I am excited what God is going to do. Aren’t
you?
Remember – the Titanic!
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings
of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him
unto a wise man, which built his house upon
a rock: And the rain descended, and the
floods came, and the winds blew, and beat
upon that house; and it fell not: for it was
founded upon a rock. And every one that
heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth
them not, shall be likened unto a foolish
man, which built his house upon the sand:
And the rain descended, and the floods came,
and the winds blew, and beat upon that
house; and it fell: and great was the fall
of it.
Matthew 7: 24-27 |
