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S
I am homebound almost all the time and until I read this thread it has never occurred to me that Christians could visit me for prayer and fellowship. I have rang and asked for prayer over the phone a few times, when iv been in spiritual need, but none have ever offered to visit me. I would so love it if they did.
yes If God tells you to be one obey Him. A christian can choose to do what ever they want, but they are only being mature, (a true christian) if they follow Gods leading.
Sharing experiences and fellowship, Structure and opportunity to help and be helped by others.
Time, distance, family, alienation, self-esteem, selfishness, pride,
Keeps me motivated for Jesus because i experience His love, opportunity to work for the Lord,
If it is all about me, i'm doing it for the wrong reason and i would have found reasons to leave long ago.
Not really, i don't really know, but it would be better then nothing.
Sharing experiences and fellowship, Structure and opportunity to help and be helped by others.
Time, distance, family, alienation, self-esteem, selfishness, pride,
Keeps me motivated for Jesus because i experience His love, opportunity to work for the Lord,
If it is all about me, i'm doing it for the wrong reason and i would have found reasons to leave long ago.
Not really, i don't really know, but it would be better then nothing.
Not including the examples in the OP, what are the main reasons people do not go to church?
1. Theology - they do not agree with the theology of the church. I live in a small town. The nearest church is about 10 minutes away, but it is Anglican. Too much I don't agree with, especially the "following the world" attitude. The next nearest church is a Mennonite Brethren Church. Another one I don't agree with. Esp. The modern turns it has taken. Skip over a variety of churches, and arrive at my Baptist Church. I like the theology although it is an hour round trip to get their and back. I also like the people, but that is #2. Unless you are 500 miles away from your nearest neighbor, there really is no excuse for not finding a church you agree with. If you can't, it is likely YOUR problem, not the churches.
2. Poor relationship skills. They cannot get along with fellow Christians. it is called "fellowship" because we are to meet with our fellow Christians. As someone said sometimes they use the excuse of "hypocrites" or a multitude of other excuses but basically it comes down to not loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. I think this is a huge reason. If you don't fellowship with other Christians how on earth are you obeying the commands below? I lived out in the country for 15 years, and I made the effort to go into town and fellowship, I can't see what the excuse is.
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." John 15:12-13
"Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes." 1 John 2:9-11
3. Sin - people are sinning and do not want to go to church for fear of someone discovering that sin.
I am talking about willful sinning, and the desire to hide it from people. In fact, it is God the person is accountable to, and the conviction felt attending church comes from the Holy Spirit, not from other people.
"The life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:2-3
"No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother." 1 John 3:6-10
Finally, I do know there are people who are housebound. I have been housebound on occasion because of my RA. Like last week and the week before. I could not climb out of bed the pain was so bad. I got emails from people asking how I was doing, and they were worried about me. I am sure someone would have visited if I had asked, but I was not in that state. And God arranged for me to be well enough this Sunday to go to church. If someone is out of fellowship because they are housebound, that is probably a lot on the church for not caring for them.
The moment I got saved, I knew it was God's will that I attend a body of believers for corporate worship. My husband had not gone to church since he had gotten saved, because of some personal issues. I dragged him out the door, and we have gone ever since. And he certainly is happy that I have never stopped encouraging him to attend church, make friends, and be the social butterfly I am. I do feel sorry for those who have depression, anxiety or are unbearably shy, but the more you overcome these things, and attend church, the more like you are to grow into a mature Christian and leave some of those things behind. Just don't use it as an excuse!
PS. God has had to temper my extrovertism quite a bit! But partly that has been my husband, my partner and companion and the other part has been the growth experienced in attending church.
1. Theology - they do not agree with the theology of the church. I live in a small town. The nearest church is about 10 minutes away, but it is Anglican. Too much I don't agree with, especially the "following the world" attitude. The next nearest church is a Mennonite Brethren Church. Another one I don't agree with. Esp. The modern turns it has taken. Skip over a variety of churches, and arrive at my Baptist Church. I like the theology although it is an hour round trip to get their and back. I also like the people, but that is #2. Unless you are 500 miles away from your nearest neighbor, there really is no excuse for not finding a church you agree with. If you can't, it is likely YOUR problem, not the churches.
2. Poor relationship skills. They cannot get along with fellow Christians. it is called "fellowship" because we are to meet with our fellow Christians. As someone said sometimes they use the excuse of "hypocrites" or a multitude of other excuses but basically it comes down to not loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. I think this is a huge reason. If you don't fellowship with other Christians how on earth are you obeying the commands below? I lived out in the country for 15 years, and I made the effort to go into town and fellowship, I can't see what the excuse is.
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." John 15:12-13
"Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes." 1 John 2:9-11
3. Sin - people are sinning and do not want to go to church for fear of someone discovering that sin.
I am talking about willful sinning, and the desire to hide it from people. In fact, it is God the person is accountable to, and the conviction felt attending church comes from the Holy Spirit, not from other people.
"The life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:2-3
"No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother." 1 John 3:6-10
Finally, I do know there are people who are housebound. I have been housebound on occasion because of my RA. Like last week and the week before. I could not climb out of bed the pain was so bad. I got emails from people asking how I was doing, and they were worried about me. I am sure someone would have visited if I had asked, but I was not in that state. And God arranged for me to be well enough this Sunday to go to church. If someone is out of fellowship because they are housebound, that is probably a lot on the church for not caring for them.
The moment I got saved, I knew it was God's will that I attend a body of believers for corporate worship. My husband had not gone to church since he had gotten saved, because of some personal issues. I dragged him out the door, and we have gone ever since. And he certainly is happy that I have never stopped encouraging him to attend church, make friends, and be the social butterfly I am. I do feel sorry for those who have depression, anxiety or are unbearably shy, but the more you overcome these things, and attend church, the more like you are to grow into a mature Christian and leave some of those things behind. Just don't use it as an excuse!
PS. God has had to temper my extrovertism quite a bit! But partly that has been my husband, my partner and companion and the other part has been the growth experienced in attending church.
I am of the opinion that we have the joyful right and privilege to proclaim victory in Jesus, and at the same time we also have the responsibility to proclaim victory in Jesus. Same goes for attending worship services; we attend worship services because we can, not because we have to, yet when we attend services regularly we become all the more edified and empowered to better serve in God's ministry. It is yet another free gift from God that is ours for the taking. Why wouldn't anyone want to go?
K
Without anything else to consider, a Christian must attend the first day of the week worship assembly. You cannot purposely choose to worship God all by yourself in your house, under a tree, etc. Even if you are stranded on a dessert island by yourself, you must have the intention and the thought of being one with your fellow Christians who are also worshiping throughout the world. "Where two or three gather in My name, there I AM also." We have to gather together even if we can only do so in our heart. I don't believe perfect attendance is a must for salvation, but the intension of being a regular is.
As a child we only went every once in a while, sometimes even years of missed attendance- not my fault. When I was held captive in a dark basement for years I couldn't go- not my fault. There have been times when I was sick or had medical issues and didn't go, but I read the bible or watched a sermon, sang hymns, and took the Lords Supper (sometimes physically and sometimes just in my heart).
But there have been times that I didn't go because of people who judge me. I am only a step up from being dirt poor, and my clothes are so worn that they have holes in them. For a whole year I couldn't even wash them unless I went to someone's house because I didn't have money, a car, and my washer and dryer were broke. A man at church said I should be ashamed coming in rags, as if I chose not to have nice clothes. He was so harsh and hurt my feelings so bad that there were days I didn't go just to avoid being judged by him.
I know he's not my Judge, and that was wrong of me. People also judge how little I'm able to give in the collection plate- yes they find out. People judge me for so many things- I don't have a husband, I'm over weight, they are like mosquitoes sucking the life out of you. I've moved many times, but they are in every congregation. They make me feel like I'm as tiny as a ladybug curled up in a corner peeking through a hole and watching them enjoy fellowship with the Father but give me a dirty look when they look my way. I feel the judging eyes upon me, and I have lost so many tears over it. People think I'm so strong, but inside I'm just a fragile little child who is easily heartbroken. They make me feel so worthless I start to wonder why God even brought me into existence.
Recently my family got so sick, and kept getting sick over and over again for like a month and a half. We've had pinkeye, stomach flu, sinus infections. Throwing up violently, having uncontrolled coughs, and many other symptoms I won't mention (you're welcome). Never in my entire life have I been so sick for so long. During the less severe times I did go to the store, but because at least one of the five of us was always majorly sick, I didn't want to take that germ to church. Every time I thought we were finally over it, someone starts throwing up again.
Today I saw maintenance gutting out the apartment right across from me. They threw out the window- cupboards, bathroom and bedroom doors, closet doors and shelves, carpet, etc. I wonder if there was some kind of germ next door.
But anyways, you should make it to church if you can.
As a child we only went every once in a while, sometimes even years of missed attendance- not my fault. When I was held captive in a dark basement for years I couldn't go- not my fault. There have been times when I was sick or had medical issues and didn't go, but I read the bible or watched a sermon, sang hymns, and took the Lords Supper (sometimes physically and sometimes just in my heart).
But there have been times that I didn't go because of people who judge me. I am only a step up from being dirt poor, and my clothes are so worn that they have holes in them. For a whole year I couldn't even wash them unless I went to someone's house because I didn't have money, a car, and my washer and dryer were broke. A man at church said I should be ashamed coming in rags, as if I chose not to have nice clothes. He was so harsh and hurt my feelings so bad that there were days I didn't go just to avoid being judged by him.
I know he's not my Judge, and that was wrong of me. People also judge how little I'm able to give in the collection plate- yes they find out. People judge me for so many things- I don't have a husband, I'm over weight, they are like mosquitoes sucking the life out of you. I've moved many times, but they are in every congregation. They make me feel like I'm as tiny as a ladybug curled up in a corner peeking through a hole and watching them enjoy fellowship with the Father but give me a dirty look when they look my way. I feel the judging eyes upon me, and I have lost so many tears over it. People think I'm so strong, but inside I'm just a fragile little child who is easily heartbroken. They make me feel so worthless I start to wonder why God even brought me into existence.
Recently my family got so sick, and kept getting sick over and over again for like a month and a half. We've had pinkeye, stomach flu, sinus infections. Throwing up violently, having uncontrolled coughs, and many other symptoms I won't mention (you're welcome). Never in my entire life have I been so sick for so long. During the less severe times I did go to the store, but because at least one of the five of us was always majorly sick, I didn't want to take that germ to church. Every time I thought we were finally over it, someone starts throwing up again.
Today I saw maintenance gutting out the apartment right across from me. They threw out the window- cupboards, bathroom and bedroom doors, closet doors and shelves, carpet, etc. I wonder if there was some kind of germ next door.
But anyways, you should make it to church if you can.
G
Agreed. But we did a search for a year or so in our area and it was either Arminian bent,calvinism bent or catholic bent.
We still do independent bible studies and they lean towards calvinists ideas, but it is open to Christian thought and grace teaching.
but Our teaching and bible doctrine come from a place 2000 miles away......over the computer. If we had a church that was grace based and doctrinal in our area.........we would be there in second.
And maybe it is my immaturity at this time, but I just can't go to a church that teaches loss of salvation and tithing or your predestined to salvation or you have to say 100 hail marys ................for the sake of my children. Maybe after all my kids are solid in doctrine and grace I can ease them into the devils world.....but I want a solid foundation first.
We still do independent bible studies and they lean towards calvinists ideas, but it is open to Christian thought and grace teaching.
but Our teaching and bible doctrine come from a place 2000 miles away......over the computer. If we had a church that was grace based and doctrinal in our area.........we would be there in second.
And maybe it is my immaturity at this time, but I just can't go to a church that teaches loss of salvation and tithing or your predestined to salvation or you have to say 100 hail marys ................for the sake of my children. Maybe after all my kids are solid in doctrine and grace I can ease them into the devils world.....but I want a solid foundation first.
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The barrier to ecclesia fellowship is that organized religion with CEO is not ecclesia fellowship that the word envisions. There is no sharing of the function that God has given you and there is no fellowship unless you are into football.
Or if you count 'hello, how you doing, see you next sunday, bye' as fellowship.
The barrier to the biblcal assembly is the appointing of one man to an exalted position to do all or most of the ministering which flies in the face of God's divine order.
That may be in the bible you have, if so, then get rid of it and get a KJV with a good concordance. This may come as a total shock but what you think is 'church' doesn't even come close to what His word demonstrates. See: 1Cor.12, Ephesians 4, and Romans 12.
The prophets were lone rangers. Many folks are lone rangers. They dont wish to be but because their walk is deep, and they hold to the word of God, they are not welcome in christian circles. See my thread 'which pastor'.
Or if you count 'hello, how you doing, see you next sunday, bye' as fellowship.
The barrier to the biblcal assembly is the appointing of one man to an exalted position to do all or most of the ministering which flies in the face of God's divine order.
That may be in the bible you have, if so, then get rid of it and get a KJV with a good concordance. This may come as a total shock but what you think is 'church' doesn't even come close to what His word demonstrates. See: 1Cor.12, Ephesians 4, and Romans 12.
The prophets were lone rangers. Many folks are lone rangers. They dont wish to be but because their walk is deep, and they hold to the word of God, they are not welcome in christian circles. See my thread 'which pastor'.
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Back in Jesus day, i believe Churches was for the road weary believers, that came to get a bite to eat, get some rest, share their road stories of miracles and seeing the Almighty working in their journey. Today most of them are money-pits.
Malachi 3:10
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Looks like the tithe was so meat could be in the house of God, not so they could drive bmws, jets, and so on, but thats the way i see it. i've went in my journeys to these socalled houses of God asking for a glass of water, and put in jail for the weekend. Then on monday morning have chief of police tell me, well you can go before judge and plead not guilty or get out of our town and don't come back, then give me a jar of peanut butter and loaf of bread, and a ride out of town. God bless that man, i'm sure he is gone now, since i was a teen then.
Malachi 3:10
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Looks like the tithe was so meat could be in the house of God, not so they could drive bmws, jets, and so on, but thats the way i see it. i've went in my journeys to these socalled houses of God asking for a glass of water, and put in jail for the weekend. Then on monday morning have chief of police tell me, well you can go before judge and plead not guilty or get out of our town and don't come back, then give me a jar of peanut butter and loaf of bread, and a ride out of town. God bless that man, i'm sure he is gone now, since i was a teen then.
Actually, in our congregation it is much more in homes and at cafés that you will hear the word than during the average of 42 minutes of our weekly sermons. Our preachers give good sermons, but we rely much more on the membership to sit down with people and deeply spend several hours at a time studying.
I think that kind of set up leads to everyone having a part to contribute...,, There are times for one person to teach and that is good but that is just one side of the coin.
1 Corinthians 14:26 (NASB)
[SUP]26 [/SUP] What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
1 Corinthians 14:26 (NASB)
[SUP]26 [/SUP] What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.