I started going to church for the first time about 6 months ago and I have noticed that all my church talks about is isis, muslims, persecution etc. I am not sure if this is good or bad but when a guest speaker comes in I notice that the sermons actually convict me and uplift me rather than just talking about isis and all that. its a little depressing. I know its in the media all the time but i wish my church would talk about something else. I was wondering if this is normal? I'm not sure because I've only been going to church for 6 months! and I'm only 15!
church and ISIS
- Thread starter kaitlyn76
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Our pastor doesn't focus on Isis, but is concerned about encouraging us to live the Christian life. However we should feel for those who are persecuted, for Paul says if one part of the hurts, the whole body hurts. We should also pray that their sufferings, including their death, should be in vain and that the Holy Spirit be active in stirring up the hearts of our enemies. And if our enemies heart are continually hardened then pray for God's justice, for we serve a God of mercy and justice.
Rest assured that you are not strange, or anything. "Yes", it is not a good thing to be concentrating on things like ISIS. What did Jesus tell us to concentrate on, Him, or Satan? He clearly said to flee from bad influences. And dwelling on ISIS is a bad influence.
Look at what your friends at church are talking about. Are they sspeaking of praying for the members of ISIS as individuals needing Jesus, or are they talking about all the preemptive violence that should be brought down on them to kill them all in their tracks? I suspect it is the latter.
Look at what your friends at church are talking about. Are they sspeaking of praying for the members of ISIS as individuals needing Jesus, or are they talking about all the preemptive violence that should be brought down on them to kill them all in their tracks? I suspect it is the latter.
G
We know the apostle Paul suffered for Christ, but at the same time Paul had little to say about his persecution. He wrote Philippians while he was in bonds. See chapter 1. It's a positive letter. He didn't complain to the Philippians about his persecution. He wrote them a most encouraging letter.
Also the apostles in Acts 5:41 were persecuted, And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Jesus came to seek and to save. He was reviled, beaten, crucified. Who or what was His mind, His will set on? It was set on doing the will of the Father. He did NOT go all about the cities and the towns informing folks how bad and terrible He was going to be treated. He does speak of it and use it to warn and teach His disciples.
Your church leaders and the members are angry. They hate what they've seen from ISIS, the beheadings, the burning, the slaughter. It is as if the members are venting their anger against ISIS.
We watch the news in our homes. Sometimes we feel Am I the only one who's angry at this? When we find ourselves with others who are just as angry, we express ourselves. And it's easy to do so. We can spew out all sorts of ideas, thoughts, feelings. We're going to have an audience when we do.
If ISIS and persecution dominate the subject matter from the pulpit, it might be your preacher is feeding off all the emotion. It's easy for him to preach about such things. And people agree. That's a possibility.
If your parents attend, ask them to assist you in making request for other topics. Write a note and drop it in the suggestion box - if there is one.
If you can think of questions that might lean toward a different topic, try to present them.
In the mean time, be patient. Focus on Jesus. Continue to read and study your Bible. Meditate on it. And pray.
Also the apostles in Acts 5:41 were persecuted, And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
Jesus came to seek and to save. He was reviled, beaten, crucified. Who or what was His mind, His will set on? It was set on doing the will of the Father. He did NOT go all about the cities and the towns informing folks how bad and terrible He was going to be treated. He does speak of it and use it to warn and teach His disciples.
Your church leaders and the members are angry. They hate what they've seen from ISIS, the beheadings, the burning, the slaughter. It is as if the members are venting their anger against ISIS.
We watch the news in our homes. Sometimes we feel Am I the only one who's angry at this? When we find ourselves with others who are just as angry, we express ourselves. And it's easy to do so. We can spew out all sorts of ideas, thoughts, feelings. We're going to have an audience when we do.
If ISIS and persecution dominate the subject matter from the pulpit, it might be your preacher is feeding off all the emotion. It's easy for him to preach about such things. And people agree. That's a possibility.
If your parents attend, ask them to assist you in making request for other topics. Write a note and drop it in the suggestion box - if there is one.
If you can think of questions that might lean toward a different topic, try to present them.
In the mean time, be patient. Focus on Jesus. Continue to read and study your Bible. Meditate on it. And pray.
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V
Sounds like your church is unwilling to confront the issues facing its membership, and instead chooses to focus on something that is entirely in God's hands. We need to be concerned about ISIS, Israel, persecution, etc., but we need to be more concerned about our relationship with Christ, and how we can improve it. The church's job is to equip the membership for ministry, not to hand-wring about terrorists over whom God, not us, has control.
Eph 4:11-13
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
KJV
Anything a pastor or church leader does, that is not directed at preparing believers to serve Jesus more effectively, is outside the Job description God gave him!
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
KJV
Anything a pastor or church leader does, that is not directed at preparing believers to serve Jesus more effectively, is outside the Job description God gave him!
It's probably rare for a preacher in a church to preach or teach about terrorism in a regular church service. I'm on a mailing list of our county church pastoral association listing planned activities, and I've not seen one mention of that topic in many years. It isn't a typical congregation message, though they could find a few Bible stories about terrorism.
Persecution is a fitting topic, but ought not become a series of messages about that in nation not under control of a government that allows religious discrimination. The Bible is clear that anyone who has identified with Jesus' name, and even any name of God in the Bible, is subject to persecution because of Him, not who we are.
In my life I've heard only one sermon that spoke of being persecuted for who I am or what I do or don't do. Often those causes of persecution are self-deserved, and there is no glory for God in that.
Persecution is a fitting topic, but ought not become a series of messages about that in nation not under control of a government that allows religious discrimination. The Bible is clear that anyone who has identified with Jesus' name, and even any name of God in the Bible, is subject to persecution because of Him, not who we are.
In my life I've heard only one sermon that spoke of being persecuted for who I am or what I do or don't do. Often those causes of persecution are self-deserved, and there is no glory for God in that.
To serve Jesus or to carry on his work? 
I am just picking a friendly bone Marc and not at all meant to be disrespectful!
I am just picking a friendly bone Marc and not at all meant to be disrespectful!
To serve Jesus or to carry on his work?
Yes, I don't make a distinction between them; but you may if you like.
We are here to discuss scripture and that involves disagreement on occasion. Disagreement is not in itself disrespectful.
Hope you're not saying correction is persecution.
Anyway I believe we need to know what's going on around us. 'Be not like those who sleep but be sober and watch.'
Christianity is being maligned in this country. Islam is being given a pass. Colin Powell said the biggest problem here is fundamentalist Christians. He embraces Muslims. Same with Bush the younger. And liberals??..well you know where they stand. Islam in, christianity out. Did some reading yesterday.....scary stuff. Yes we have the victory and we don't want to dwell on all the evil that is closing in on the church, but we need to be aware and also voice our concerns.
Our government is doing its best to get more Muslims to migrate here.......I wonder why!
Anyway I believe we need to know what's going on around us. 'Be not like those who sleep but be sober and watch.'
Christianity is being maligned in this country. Islam is being given a pass. Colin Powell said the biggest problem here is fundamentalist Christians. He embraces Muslims. Same with Bush the younger. And liberals??..well you know where they stand. Islam in, christianity out. Did some reading yesterday.....scary stuff. Yes we have the victory and we don't want to dwell on all the evil that is closing in on the church, but we need to be aware and also voice our concerns.
Our government is doing its best to get more Muslims to migrate here.......I wonder why!
I see the WOF superiority condemnation complex is still alive and well.
The very sad part to this complex is the untold many we have to deprogram when the blanket condemnations prove to much and nothing material happens like they were taught and a real trial hits their life and they fold.
Let me guess the next thing out of your mouth we will be those that go through self-deserved persecutions go through them because they are not under the blood and need to grow their faith?!
At the very least you should add some commentary to this statement or apologize for it
The very sad part to this complex is the untold many we have to deprogram when the blanket condemnations prove to much and nothing material happens like they were taught and a real trial hits their life and they fold.
Let me guess the next thing out of your mouth we will be those that go through self-deserved persecutions go through them because they are not under the blood and need to grow their faith?!
At the very least you should add some commentary to this statement or apologize for it