Put the church on a milk carton!

[mpaper345]

Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.

This is where we are at right now,and it will get worse,because it appears as if the beast kingdom will not be set up,unless Christianity is portrayed as something it is not,and people only want to hear it that way,and since God is going to allow the world 7 years,and cause all people that do not love Him to follow the beast kingdom,the religion Christianity will be viewed in the eyes of the world,as something different than what was preached in the past,and they will only want to hear it that way,and it will be to the world,fundamental Christianity,and the truth will be a lie to the world.

1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
1Ti 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
1Ti 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
1Ti 4:5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Th 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

The new age movement,people will only want to hear Christianity according to their evolution interpretation,and will be the falling away

They will only want to hear it according to their own lusts,but that is how it starts,first they lust for worldliness,money,and material things,and since they are going in the direction of lust,eventually they will want to hear it by the new age movement,and believe that one day they can harness the power of nature,for personal power.

But that is funny,put it on a milk carton,and the children are the future,which they are growing up with worldly galore,all around them,so that tells you what will be in the future,and it will get worse.

 

[dancinglady]

This is very true. I believe that inside every church there is a remnant who see that we have strayed very far from authentic church. I suspect these are trying to speak to their situation, but are not being heard, or thought of to be off their rocker. I think we're seeing a great exodus, if you will, of saints "coming out" of their traditional church enviroments and searching for a more meaningful connection. We are too far gone now to "turn around", but we can "turn away" from false church. God is gathering a remnant from across the world, and these will find each other. But we must exercise caution as we can easily get off track and become like that which we just left. Would you agree?

 

[Yet]

This is very true. I believe that inside every church there is a remnant who see that we have strayed very far from authentic church. I suspect these are trying to speak to their situation, but are not being heard, or thought of to be off their rocker. I think we're seeing a great exodus, if you will, of saints "coming out" of their traditional church enviroments and searching for a more meaningful connection. We are too far gone now to "turn around", but we can "turn away" from false church. God is gathering a remnant from across the world, and these will find each other. But we must exercise caution as we can easily get off track and become like that which we just left. Would you agree?

Its easy to 'get out of church' but to get the church out of us is another thing. House church is good. But you have to stress the 'every member participation' idea, and teach on it or one person will be tempted to take control and 'do it all'.
But it's worth the effort. Putting Christ in charge and waiting on Him in prayer.

 

[Yet]

The church is composed of wheat and tares, goats and sheep.

As far as local fellowships go, the one I'm attending operates very well and scripturally.

I highly recommend that individuals who are considering a fellowship look for a sound one that is operating like this. They are out there.

I find that there are many professing Christians who act like Elijah and think they are the only ones following God. God's reply to him during his depression is telling..he said he has 7000 other followers who have not bowed the knee to Baal. "Lone ranger" Christians don't live in reality. There are tons of solid believers.

I think some who really don't want to be involved with a local fellowship, and come under the authority or accountability of anyone, spend a lot of time engaged in cutting all of them down. They also have an unrealistic opinion of their own orthodoxy and the coherency of their private belief system.

I've heard one person say that he won't attend a church because they wouldn't let him preach. I've listened to him long enough to know that he holds some really crazy ideas and is not someone who is able to teach. Why would anyone, even a sound thinking well-trained person, expect to be allowed to preach without establishing their own credibility with the local fellowship?

Others are nursing hurts and resentments caused by events that happened a LONG time ago. If I operated like that, I wouldn't be in fellowship very long, as people are imperfect, and imperfect people offend others. The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints, as the saying goes.

Ephesians 4, folks. Those who claim to be spiritually mature and are not in fellowship are not reading these Scriptures honestly. They say these sorts are blown around by all winds of doctrine..how many do we see on the forums like this? Let me answer that..a LOT.

And, younger Christians, I suggest you pay heed to these words. If you consider the people here to be your teachers, beware. Some of them are tethered to the Church through their local fellowship and are reliable dispensers of truth, and many hold heresies. Get involved in a local church, after determining that they teach sound evangelical doctrine.

I have some more comments on this in my profile if you're interested.

Returning to local fellowship was key in me coming back from a long backsliding. Sin and disbelief thrives in isolation. God doesn't want lone ranger Christians. He wants team players who are not contentious. If you have to sacrifice by driving an extra distance to find a good fellowship, do it. Your life belongs to Him if you are saved anyways. Submit to Him in all ways, including being involved in the local fellowship. Don't be influenced by rock throwers who continually come up with excuses for not fellowshipping.

DO find a good fellowship, though. I list some church finders in my profile that may help.

As a disclaimer, I am not dissing individuals who are homebound due to health reasons, or who have legitimate reasons for being unable to fellowship in person. In addition, this site is great for supplemental fellowship and I avail myself of it practically every day. It's not a replacement for real face-to-face relationships though. You need to be involved in discipleship and equipping in a local church. This site does not claim to substitute for those things.

I won't even comment but this. You just don't get it. But again, the good news is that many are.

 

[MsSuzanna]

Rev 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.

This is where we are at right now,and it will get worse,because it appears as if the beast kingdom will not be set up,unless Christianity is portrayed as something it is not,and people only want to hear it that way,and since God is going to allow the world 7 years,and cause all people that do not love Him to follow the beast kingdom,the religion Christianity will be viewed in the eyes of the world,as something different than what was preached in the past,and they will only want to hear it that way,and it will be to the world,fundamental Christianity,and the truth will be a lie to the world.

1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
1Ti 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
1Ti 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
1Ti 4:5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Th 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

The new age movement,people will only want to hear Christianity according to their evolution interpretation,and will be the falling away

They will only want to hear it according to their own lusts,but that is how it starts,first they lust for worldliness,money,and material things,and since they are going in the direction of lust,eventually they will want to hear it by the new age movement,and believe that one day they can harness the power of nature,for personal power.

But that is funny,put it on a milk carton,and the children are the future,which they are growing up with worldly galore,all around them,so that tells you what will be in the future,and it will get worse.

This is where we are at right now,and it will get worse,because it appears as if the beast kingdom will not be set up,unless Christianity is portrayed as something it is not,and people only want to hear it that way,and since God is going to allow the world 7 years,and cause all people that do not love Him to follow the beast kingdom,the religion Christianity will be viewed in the eyes of the world,as something different than what was preached in the past,and they will only want to hear it that way,and it will be to the world,fundamental Christianity,and the truth will be a lie to the world.

Christianity is already being portrayed as not correect with the "all paths lead to God" heresy. Obama (the leader of our nation if you want ot call him that, rolll eyes,) ...has already said on live tv that christians are hateful and muslims are kinder.Btw, Im not saying that islam is going to be the religion of the beast. It is already considered not PC to claim Jesus is the only way to the Father. Which also brings to mind a question to ask yo? How many "christians" have you come across that do not believe that Jesus is God? The apostasy is everywhere you turn. The temp of the spiritual warfare has been turned up even more within the last year than last. The bible said sin would increase. It has done that but it is moving faster and more fierce because Jesus is about to come get his bride. End of days..............

Look at TBN where they say Jesus is not the only one who is begotten and they also claim that Jesus didnt pay it all on the coss but he had to go down into hell. Although Jesus said it is finished beforehand. The heresy is everywhere we tuen and its all over this site as well. Satan places his minions everywhere to kill, steal, and destroy. We must be wise as serpents and gentle as doves(I struggle with this sometimes) and have our full armor on walking in the truth ie the spirit to overcome. Jesus said abide in me to the end. His grace is sufficient for me

The worship of the beast has already been set in motion but just not to its fullest extent yet of course. That will happen when Christ pulls us out and the holy Spirit that indwells us,goes with us. The church is not appointed to wrath. That is our hope.

 

[roaringkitten]

This is very true. I believe that inside every church there is a remnant who see that we have strayed very far from authentic church. I suspect these are trying to speak to their situation, but are not being heard, or thought of to be off their rocker. I think we're seeing a great exodus, if you will, of saints "coming out" of their traditional church enviroments and searching for a more meaningful connection. We are too far gone now to "turn around", but we can "turn away" from false church. God is gathering a remnant from across the world, and these will find each other. But we must exercise caution as we can easily get off track and become like that which we just left. Would you agree?

Acts 15 is a good chapter showing how the local assembly dealt with internal problems. It was not a one man decision(ie: pastor) but the decisions were made as a body. God foresaw the dangers of letting one man(ie: the pastor) make the decisions solo because if you get a wicked man in charge, he would be able to control the assembly single handedly with no one to stop him. I've seen this first hand where pastors were so controlling of the church members and decisions, when someone tried to challenge him, he was met with immediate resistance. The pastor would resist first, then the flock would follow the pastor and resist because they were taught the pastor was the boss.

An observation I made about the book of Acts is the word "pastor" is not mentioned once! This book is a model of early church history! Where was the pastor? Oh he was there, but the book shows all the members in the local body were performing their function together. This is how it was meant to be!

 

[Angela53510]

So glad for my church and all the contributing members and and moving of the Holy Spirit. God is glorious, and going to my church is the highlight of my week.

We have not had a senior pastor for 10 months now, but we continue to hear the Word expounded, and we have prayer, and annointing and music that touches people's hearts and sharing and caring for one another both before, during and after the service.

I feel sorry for Yet. He has bought into some cult about what church is. I met a man about 5 years ago, who used the same stock phrases, called people Nicolatians, said the church was Ladiocea, etc etc. I think Yet has read the same pamphlets or hand outs or tapes, or whatever they use in their cult to isolate bitter and angry people, as they fall under the spell of thinking only they know how God wants to run a church.

So sorry for Yet!

 

[Brainfreeze]

So glad for my church and all the contributing members and and moving of the Holy Spirit. God is glorious, and going to my church is the highlight of my week.

We have not had a senior pastor for 10 months now, but we continue to hear the Word expounded, and we have prayer, and annointing and music that touches people's hearts and sharing and caring for one another both before, during and after the service.

I feel sorry for Yet. He has bought into some cult about what church is. I met a man about 5 years ago, who used the same stock phrases, called people Nicolatians, said the church was Ladiocea, etc etc. I think Yet has read the same pamphlets or hand outs or tapes, or whatever they use in their cult to isolate bitter and angry people, as they fall under the spell of thinking only they know how God wants to run a church.

So sorry for Yet!

I don't think you understand his point Ms.Angela.

 

[Persuaded]

Acts 15 is a good chapter showing how the local assembly dealt with internal problems. It was not a one man decision(ie: pastor) but the decisions were made as a body. God foresaw the dangers of letting one man(ie: the pastor) make the decisions solo because if you get a wicked man in charge, he would be able to control the assembly single handedly with no one to stop him. I've seen this first hand where pastors were so controlling of the church members and decisions, when someone tried to challenge him, he was met with immediate resistance. The pastor would resist first, then the flock would follow the pastor and resist because they were taught the pastor was the boss.

An observation I made about the book of Acts is the word "pastor" is not mentioned once! This book is a model of early church history! Where was the pastor? Oh he was there, but the book shows all the members in the local body were performing their function together. This is how it was meant to be!

There are thousands and thousands of local churches are doing exactly as that church in Acts was doing.
Every member has a voice. The office of pastor/elder/bishop/shephard, what ever you want to call it, is filled by a man that the local church chooses. This is done after much prayer and investigation of the man's character and reputation as a man of God.
He LEADS as a shephard leads sheep. He loves and cares for each and every one of them. If or when he fails, that same local church, those sheep, dismiss him. THEY FIRE HIM, and choose a new leader.
The pastor NEVER rules, he SERVES.

I know there are pastors and churches that have strayed from God's plan.
There are also men and assemblies that God has never recognized as His men or His local church.
Yes, there are con men who are it it for power and money. This is nothing new. And yes there are more each and every day.

Here is my problem with Yet and all who support his rant.
He includes ALL churches and ALL pastors as evil.
He judges pastors and churches he has no clue of how they serve God.
What he is doing is lying about the church I serve and thousands and thousands of churches.
God hates liars.

If you really want to do God a service by pointing out churches and pastors that are evil give us names and adresses.
Call them out by name and city so we can all avoid them.
But to condemn and judge those you have never attended and know nothing about is stupid.

 

[Angela53510]

I don't think you understand his point Ms.Angela.

Do you want to bet? He's been posting only one thing, over and over since he joined this site. Trying to enlighten us to the fact that we are all apostate, and he isn't, because when a church rejected him for preaching, he walked out and never went back to a "traditional" church again.

Personally, I would do everything to ensure he did not preach in my church, too! And he sincerely is in a cult, uses the same stock phrases that this man did in another Christian forum. The exact words! He is not even original enough to make up his own cult.

Like I said, sorry that he will not repent, and stop trashing pastors and bashing churches, especially when he knows nothing about them. I am a pastor, I resent all his insinuations, which are based on nothing. Until he comes to my church, sees how God is moving and how people are involved, he has no right to say a thing against churches or pastors!

PS Been there, done that for a long time with Yet. And he has me on ignore, which allows me to be honest and open in my opinion of the absurd and unbiblical nonsense he is posting!

 

[Brainfreeze]

Do you want to bet? He's been posting only one thing, over and over since he joined this site. Trying to enlighten us to the fact that we are all apostate, and he isn't, because when a church rejected him for preaching, he walked out and never went back to a "traditional" church again.

Personally, I would do everything to ensure he did not preach in my church, too! And he sincerely is in a cult, uses the same stock phrases that this man did in another Christian forum. The exact words! He is not even original enough to make up his own cult.

Like I said, sorry that he will not repent, and stop trashing pastors and bashing churches, especially when he knows nothing about them. I am a pastor, I resent all his insinuations, which are based on nothing. Until he comes to my church, sees how God is moving and how people are involved, he has no right to say a thing against churches or pastors!

PS Been there, done that for a long time with Yet. And he has me on ignore, which allows me to be honest and open in my opinion of the absurd and unbiblical nonsense he is posting!

Lol, ok Ms. Angela maybe you do get it, and I'm not going to bunch all churches in there if that's what he's doing. But don't you agree there are A LOT of big time churches leading a lot of people astray? I'm finding stuff out I've heard NO ONE talk about. I'm concerned for the people, aren't you?

 

[sparkman]

Do you want to bet? He's been posting only one thing, over and over since he joined this site. Trying to enlighten us to the fact that we are all apostate, and he isn't, because when a church rejected him for preaching, he walked out and never went back to a "traditional" church again.

Personally, I would do everything to ensure he did not preach in my church, too! And he sincerely is in a cult, uses the same stock phrases that this man did in another Christian forum. The exact words! He is not even original enough to make up his own cult.

Like I said, sorry that he will not repent, and stop trashing pastors and bashing churches, especially when he knows nothing about them. I am a pastor, I resent all his insinuations, which are based on nothing. Until he comes to my church, sees how God is moving and how people are involved, he has no right to say a thing against churches or pastors!

PS Been there, done that for a long time with Yet. And he has me on ignore, which allows me to be honest and open in my opinion of the absurd and unbiblical nonsense he is posting!

Yeah..I find it interesting, too, that wolves spend a lot of time calling other wolves...and that their doctrine and life is far below question themselves. I found that out with my cult leader...besides living in opulence (claiming God is a God of quality and that His apostle should live accordingly), he likely was involved in an incestuous relationship with his daughter..and the claim that the redeemed would be fully God like God the Father and Jesus Christ was clearly blasphemous.

Yet he was labeling the rest of Christianity "so-called Christians" following a "false gospel" and a "counterfeit Christianity" who were the "synagogue of Satan".

Yes, there are false teachers that are under the banner of evangelical Christianity but those casting stones at evangelical Christians are much more likely to be wolves.

I'd also ask whether the individual doing the rock-throwing has the credentials to be a fruit inspector. It's easy to sit behind a computer screen and criticize without exposing one's life to scrutiny.

Again, I'd suggest any younger Christians not get caught up in the attitudes of some on this forum..find a good, evangelical, local fellowship. There's some info on finding a good one in my profile. Online fellowships like this tend to attract rebels who are in clear denial of Ephesians 4 and the NT instructions concerning the church. This place is great for supplemental fellowship, and there are some sound believers here (I'm hoping the majority are), but it's also a haven for "lone ranger Christians" who can't handle church authority and are not accountable to anyone. They want the illusion of church membership without cramping their style and having their envelopes pressed....too bad sanctification necessarily involves cramping our style and pressing our envelope. Don't let the paranoid, cynical, self-righteous, prideful attitudes of some here contaminate your pure faith. The people that I fellowship in real life are great, and the doctrine is sound.

I think it's a shame that the attitude of extreme cynicism regarding local fellowships exists here. Some here seem to think they are Elijah, that they are the beacons of truth, and that few other followers exist. They should take note of what God said to him...He had 7000 other believers who had not bowed the knee to Baal (I Kings 19:18).

 

[psychomom]

I'm not going to bunch all churches in there if that's what he's doing.

there you go!

 

[JustWhoIAm]

Yeah..I find it interesting, too, that wolves spend a lot of time calling other wolves...and that their doctrine and life is far below question themselves. I found that out with my cult leader...besides living in opulence (claiming God is a God of quality and that His apostle should live accordingly), he likely was involved in an incestuous relationship with his daughter..and the claim that the redeemed would be fully God like God the Father and Jesus Christ was clearly blasphemous.

Yet he was labeling the rest of Christianity "so-called Christians" following a "false gospel" and a "counterfeit Christianity" who were the "synagogue of Satan".

Yes, there are false teachers that are under the banner of evangelical Christianity but those casting stones at evangelical Christians are much more likely to be wolves.

I'd also ask whether the individual doing the rock-throwing has the credentials to be a fruit inspector. It's easy to sit behind a computer screen and criticize without exposing one's life to scrutiny.

Again, I'd suggest any younger Christians not get caught up in the attitudes of some on this forum..find a good, evangelical, local fellowship. There's some info on finding a good one in my profile. Online fellowships like this tend to attract rebels who are in clear denial of Ephesians 4 and the NT instructions concerning the church. This place is great for supplemental fellowship, and there are some sound believers here (I'm hoping the majority are), but it's also a haven for "lone ranger Christians" who can't handle church authority and are not accountable to anyone. They want the illusion of church membership without cramping their style and having their envelopes pressed....too bad sanctification necessarily involves cramping our style and pressing our envelope. Don't let the paranoid, cynical, self-righteous, prideful attitudes of some here contaminate your pure faith. The people that I fellowship in real life are great, and the doctrine is sound.

I think it's a shame that the attitude of extreme cynicism regarding local fellowships exists here. Some here seem to think they are Elijah, that they are the beacons of truth, and that few other followers exist. They should take note of what God said to him...He had 7000 other believers who had not bowed the knee to Baal (I Kings 19:18).

Why? Does your conscience bother you? Not accusing, just asking you. Honestly. Does it?

The reality is that these are very dark days for the church. Deceit runs rampant. We're divided over gnats, meanwhile the dragon is swallowing our kids whole, teaching them to commit the perversions of the 'elders'.

Sad but true.

 

[psychomom]

There are thousands and thousands of local churches are doing exactly as that church in Acts was doing.
Every member has a voice. The office of pastor/elder/bishop/shephard, what ever you want to call it, is filled by a man that the local church chooses. This is done after much prayer and investigation of the man's character and reputation as a man of God.
He LEADS as a shephard leads sheep. He loves and cares for each and every one of them. If or when he fails, that same local church, those sheep, dismiss him. THEY FIRE HIM, and choose a new leader.
The pastor NEVER rules, he SERVES.

I know there are pastors and churches that have strayed from God's plan.
There are also men and assemblies that God has never recognized as His men or His local church.
Yes, there are con men who are it it for power and money. This is nothing new. And yes there are more each and every day.

Here is my problem with Yet and all who support his rant.
He includes ALL churches and ALL pastors as evil.
He judges pastors and churches he has no clue of how they serve God.
What he is doing is lying about the church I serve and thousands and thousands of churches.
God hates liars.

If you really want to do God a service by pointing out churches and pastors that are evil give us names and adresses.
Call them out by name and city so we can all avoid them.
But to condemn and judge those you have never attended and know nothing about is stupid.

as a pastor, it's gotta hurt a little, eh? ouch

i'm so thankful for our local assembly, and for the shepherd of that flock... and yeah that's in the Bible.
'our' church is governed by a body of elders, and the pastor not only spends hours each week preparing a teaching, he visits the sick, counsels the hurting, and brings me the Lord's Supper when i'm too ill to attend.

thank God for men like that, and for you

 

[oldethennew]

PROVERBS 23:29.
Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?

 

[sparkman]

Why? Does your conscience bother you? Not accusing, just asking you. Honestly. Does it?

The reality is that these are very dark days for the church. Deceit runs rampant. We're divided over gnats, meanwhile the dragon is swallowing our kids whole, teaching them to commit the perversions of the 'elders'.

Sad but true.

If I knew what you were saying, I'd answer.

My counsel to younger believers is to avoid being infected by the cynical individuals here who are not in local, face to face fellowship themselves, and thus are not proceeding toward spiritual maturity. Ephesians 4 is clear on this...God has given the church leadership to move believers on toward spiritual maturity, and to anchor them so they are not blown here and there by false doctrine (and this forum has plenty who try to teach false doctrines).

I also counsel them to find a good, solid evangelical church to fellowship with, and they ARE out there. My profile lists some links so they can find a good solid church.

What are the perversions you are speaking about? Maybe that's the main question. If you can list the perversions, perhaps that would be a good starting place for a discussion.

 

[Yet]

My heaviness this morning. The culture around us is getting worse and worse and worse. Just when you think it has reached a flash point, Satan gains more ground. Our out of control baby killing machine government now basking in rainbow color sodomite
stench. Trillions in debt, folks clamoring for more 'socialism/communism'.
Young people and even children caught up in on line satanic porn and even Christians sitting in dead churches hooked on porn themselves.

No power of God there to break satans grip. The body of Christ rendered helpless and hopeless. Why? Why?

Here I go again. It's out of divine order. The plug has been pulled. The branches, the folks, are disconnected from the Vine, Jesus, through disobedience. Everything I've been teaching of concerning body life and interaction is scorned by many of you.

In the first century the government remained in adamant opposition to the ecclesia (church), but the little folks were being drawn by the Holy Spirit and added to the 'church' by the droves daily. Acts 2:47 and 5:14. The ministry of THE WORD BACKED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND POWER 1Cor. 2:4
The believers today have the words to witness to the lost about salvation but the power is lacking. The first believers went out and turned their sphere of influence 'upside down' for Christ. Acts 17:6. How? What did they have that we don't have? They filled their tanks with high octane when they gathered together in His Name, all functioning body parts, ministering one to another in power, in turn, not sleeping through a dry sermon done by a paid professional. Unheard of.

Pauls instructions to the ecclesia are there for a reason. There is real Holy Spirit power when we line up with the word on this. Functioning, not dormant.

Whats it gonna take to get us there? First thing I see is people's pride. They don't want to be told that their 'church' has got it all wrong. Now how do you swallow that one?

The 'church' has no effect on the surrounding culture. That speaks volumes. But the culture has much effect on the 'church'.

No Holy Spirit in the services so the void is filled with program after program and a rock and roll team to feign worship then dismiss us into some real hot fellowship about the football game on the way to the parking lot. You know it's true. Gotta go. I pray to God I'm rustling somebody's religious feathers.

 

[Yet]

If I knew what you were saying, I'd answer.

My counsel to younger believers is to avoid being infected by the cynical individuals here who are not in local, face to face fellowship themselves, and thus are not proceeding toward spiritual maturity. Ephesians 4 is clear on this...God has given the church leadership to move believers on toward spiritual maturity, and to anchor them so they are not blown here and there by false doctrine (and this forum has plenty who try to teach false doctrines).

I also counsel them to find a good, solid evangelical church to fellowship with, and they ARE out there. My profile lists some links so they can find a good solid church.

What are the perversions you are speaking about? Maybe that's the main question. If you can list the perversions, perhaps that would be a good starting place for a discussion.

Why did you leave out this? 'For the perfecting of the ministry OF THE SAINTS'?

See thread : 1Cor.12, Romans12, and Ephesians 4. To see the perversions inthe organized church.

 

[Yet]

as a pastor, it's gotta hurt a little, eh? ouch

i'm so thankful for our local assembly, and for the shepherd of that flock... and yeah that's in the Bible.
'our' church is governed by a body of elders, and the pastor not only spends hours each week preparing a teaching, he visits the sick, counsels the hurting, and brings me the Lord's Supper when i'm too ill to attend.

thank God for men like that, and for you

Dont just say 'that's in the bible'. Show us where in the NT is the exalted, single, salaried one man show pastor.

Seen this movie before. 'Its in the bible. It's in the bible'. But no one ever gives a single verse to support a position. I grow weary.