FROM SACRED TO STAGED

 

FROM SACRED TO STAGED: 

He was once a fiery preacher, burning with holy zeal. His voice thundered with conviction, and souls trembled under the anointing. In a small town in Nigeria, Pastor Eze led revivals that turned entire villages to Christ. Witches repented, drunkards became evangelists, and marriages were restored. His altar was sacred—a place where burdens were lifted and hearts made whole. But with time came applause, invitations to the cities, and the lure of fame. Soon, he stopped praying as he used to. His messages became rehearsed performances, polished for applause, and driven by trends. That once sacred pulpit became a stage, and slowly, the power faded. Demons stopped crying out. The altar lost its fire. What was once holy had become hollow.

WHAT Is From Sacred to Staged: Reasons the Pulpit Has Lost Its Power?

This topic uncovers the spiritual deterioration of today’s pulpit. It explores how the altar—a sacred space once marked by trembling knees and tear-stained hearts—has been exchanged for platforms of performance, popularity, and entertainment. The pulpit has moved from being a place of divine encounter to a stage for motivational speaking and self-glorification.

Jeremiah 5:31 (KJV): "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so..."

WHY Has the Pulpit Lost Its Power?

Lack of Consecration

Ministers now focus more on branding than brokenness. Holiness has been replaced with hype.

2 Timothy 3:5 (KJV): "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

Pursuit of Popularity Over Purpose

The desire to trend on social media has made many abandon sound doctrine.

Galatians 1:10 (KJV): "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men?"

Commercialization of the Gospel

Ministries have turned into businesses. Messages are tailored to please givers, not to save souls.

Micah 3:11 (KJV): "The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire..."

Absence of Prayer and Fasting

The altar has lost its oil because the secret place is abandoned.

An adage says, “The fire on the altar goes out when the priest sleeps too long.”

WHEN Did the Shift Begin?

It started subtly—when popularity was measured in likes instead of lives changed. When the weight of a message was judged by its delivery, not its divine origin. When the pulpit invited entertainers instead of intercessors, and comedians replaced consecrated men.

Ezekiel 22:26 (KJV): "Her priests have violated my law... and I am profaned among them."

WHOM Does This Concern?

Preachers and Pastors: The custodians of the sacred pulpit.

Church Members: Who have exchanged discernment for entertainment.

Church Leaders: Who prioritize aesthetics over anointing.

Young Ministers: Whose examples are social influencers rather than scriptural giants.

HOW Can the Pulpit Regain Its Power?

Return to the Secret Place

The altar must first burn in private before it burns in public.

Matthew 6:6 (KJV): "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet..."

Preach the Undiluted Word

Truth must not be adjusted to culture but proclaimed with courage.

2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV): "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season..."

Reclaim Holiness

Power flows through purity. The pulpit must be a place of sanctification.

Hebrews 12:14 (KJV): "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."

Stop Commercializing the Anointing

Ministry is not a business venture but a divine assignment.

Adage: “You cannot sell what was given freely and expect God’s approval.”

Raise Intercessors, Not Entertainers

Church programs should host the Holy Spirit, not worldly drama.

THE BENEFITS of Restoring the Sacred Pulpit

Authentic Revival: When the sacred is honored, the Spirit moves.

Salvations Multiply: True conviction returns to hearts.

Deliverance Flows: The oppressed find freedom again.

Restored Reverence for God: Fear of God returns to the assembly.

Glory Descends: The Shekinah that once filled the temple comes again.

2 Chronicles 7:1 (KJV): "Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven..."

THE PAIN of Moving From Sacred to Staged

Powerless Sermons: Noise without conviction.

Lost Souls: No true repentance, only emotional responses.

Mockery by the World: The church loses respect when it mimics the world.

Spiritual Death: A congregation entertained is a congregation endangered.

Ichabod—The Glory Departs: God’s presence leaves where He is not honored.

1 Samuel 4:21 (KJV): "And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel..."

BIBLICAL AND MODERN EXAMPLES

Biblical

Eli: Allowed corruption at the altar; the lamp of God went out. (1 Samuel 3:1-3)

Ananias and Sapphira: Treated sacred offerings as a joke and fell dead. (Acts 5:1-11)

Simon the Sorcerer: Tried to buy the anointing—was rebuked sharply. (Acts 8:18-23)

Modern-Day Examples

Leonard Ravenhill: Never preached without weeping; called for revival, not relevance.

David Wilkerson: Stood against compromising churches with truth and tears.

Unknown Evangelists in China and underground churches: Still preach with power without platforms or applause.

Beloved, the pulpit must be restored to its sacredness. Heaven is watching, and hell is laughing when the stage replaces the sanctuary. God is not impressed with lights, fog machines, or crowds—He’s drawn to contrite hearts and trembling voices that preach the Word with purity and passion.

Isaiah 66:2 (KJV): "...to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word."

Let us weep between the porch and the altar. Let us call the solemn assembly. Let us sanctify the pulpit once again.