TODAY'S MESSAGE SERMON TITLE: “OH LORD, WHERE HAVE WE GOTTEN IT WRONG?” Oh Lord… Once again come and deliver us There was a time— When danger chased you, you ran to the Church. When life broke you, you ran to the altar. When demons tormented you, you ran into God’s presence. But today… People are running into the Church with weapons. The same place that was once a refuge… has now become a target. Thieves now enter the sanctuary—not to repent… but to steal. Killers now step into holy ground—not to surrender… but to destroy. Oh Lord… where did we miss it? 📖 KEY SCRIPTURES Psalm 11:3 “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Matthew 21:13 “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people… will humble themselves, pray… then I will heal their land.” ⚡ POINT 1: THE ALTAR HAS LOST ITS FIRE There was a time when the altar was feared. Not feared because of man… But feared because of God’s presence. Today, many altars are decorated—but empty. Beautiful—but powerless. Crowded—but spiritually dry. We replaced: Prayer with performance Power with programs Holiness with hype And now… the fire is gone. When the fire leaves the altar, anything can enter the church. ⚡ POINT 2: THE CHURCH HAS BECOME A MARKETPLACE Jesus walked into the temple… and was angry. Why? Because people had turned God’s house into a business center. Today, it is happening again: Salvation is no longer preached with urgency Sin is tolerated to keep crowds The gospel is adjusted to please men And slowly… God’s presence withdraws. Listen carefully— When God leaves a place, evil fills the vacuum. That’s how thieves enter churches without fear. ⚡ POINT 3: WE HAVE LOST THE FEAR OF GOD There was a time people trembled at God’s word. Today, people argue with it. There was a time sin was confessed. Today, sin is defended. The fear of God is no longer the foundation— and when the fear of God disappears, anything becomes acceptable. Even evil… inside the Church. ⚡ POINT 4: THE CHURCH IS SLEEPING WHILE DARKNESS IS RISING While the Church is busy with: Titles Positions Social media appearance Darkness is organizing. The enemy is not joking. And the painful truth? Many believers are spiritually asleep. Jesus said: “Watch and pray…” But we stopped watching… And we barely pray. 📖 BIBLICAL REFLECTION (REALITY CHECK) Remember the temple in the days of Eli (1 Samuel)? The priests were corrupt. The altar was polluted. And what happened? God’s presence departed… And the ark was captured. That same pattern is repeating today. 🛠 PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS This is not the time to complain. This is the time to respond. 1. Return to personal holiness Stop normalizing what God calls sin. 2. Revive your prayer life Not casual prayer—desperate prayer. 3. Guard the altar (your heart) What you allow in your life matters. 4. Demand truth, not entertainment Don’t follow what feels good—follow what is right. 5. Cry out for revival Not noise—real revival 💔 DEEP SPIRITUAL INSIGHT The problem is not just outside the Church. The problem is… inside the Church. Judgment doesn’t start in the world. It starts in the house of God. 🤔 QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION When last did I truly fear God? Am I part of the problem… or the solution? Is my Christian life real… or just routine? If God visits my life today, will He find fire… or ashes? 🙏 PRAYER POINTS Cry this with passion: Oh Lord, forgive us for where we have gone wrong! Father, restore Your fire upon Your altar! Lord, cleanse Your Church from hidden corruption! Arise, O God, and defend Your name! Let revival break out in our land again! Father, let Your presence return with power! 🔥CALL TO ACTION This is not just a sermon… It is a cry. A cry from heaven. A cry for repentance. A cry for awakening. Don’t wait for another tragedy before you take God seriously. If the Church must become a refuge again… then the people of God must return to God again. Don’t clap. Don’t just say “Amen.” Go back… Kneel down… And cry: “OH LORD… WHERE HAVE WE GOTTEN IT WRONG? AND PLEASE—SHOW US THE WAY BACK.” If you have not given your life to Jesus kindly do so by joining a Bible believing Church. You can get inspirational ebooks from my selar shops below https://selar.com/m/umoh-edem1 https://selar.com/m/umoedem CONTACT - WhatsApp +2349024173027, +2349055447540 Email pastor.umoedem@gmail.com