MANY IN OUR COUNTRY HAVE LOST INTEREST IN CHRISTIANITY
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That sounds like Laodicea, but not like Philadelphia. I suppose Sardis also sounds like that, but not Thyatira.
It is not that hard to find a good place to worship, Laodicea is "rich", Thyatira is "powerful" and Sardis is "dead". You should be able to see the rich and powerful churches without even entering the front door and one church service should let you know who is dead. Simply look for the church that is poor, has a little strength but nothing to boast of, and has a living worship of the Lord.
The word is very clear, we need to assemble together and so much the more as we see the day approaching.
I figure when you sit and listen to a preacher, you're just getting another person's opinion on what the Bible says when you can just read it for yourself
One of the dumbest things I ever heard a preacher say is that courthouse marriages are not "blessed by God"
Or if I attend a church and the people are not friendly, I don't go back
I think a lot of people in institutional churches mean well, they're just too stuck in their ways to be of much use. Thankfully, God is raising up a generation of people who can lead they way in the days ahead.
ResidentAlien, you say, "God is raising up a generation of people who can lead they way in the days ahead." Not so, in fact the largest growing denomination for the youth generation is the 'NONES'; they have no interest in God whatsoever. They are after what the world has to offer, not what Jesus has to offer.
Look around you ResAl, the youth aren't interested, much less leading any charge for Jesus' Salvation/Gospel.
RA, my mistake, you are correct in that you didn't say anything about the youth. But, as no one can deny, our country and all the first world countries, have sunk under the weight of secularism.
So, what generation has God rose up to combat this? Are they invisible??????????
People get together in institutional churches, but do they really gather or have fellowship? In my experience, institutional churches have been some of the loneliest places I've ever been to in my life. Yeah, they might serve as a momentary diversion but as soon as left I went back to my same old habits and addictions; no real change or power to change.
There's a movement called the organic church movement. There are a lot of books and websites dedicated to it. You should check it out. It's not invisible but the current system is very resistant to change. I've mentioned the OC movement here before but unless it's something that piqued your interest you may have missed it.
It would be nearly impossible for our understanding of different things to be unaffected and informed by our experiences, both good and bad. It's unfortunate that so much of what people experience is negative because it often leads to bitterness which will inevitably negatively affect one's views on a variety of issues. And seldom does a person realize how much their attitudes and behaviors are shaped in this way.
As Christians we would do better to allow for such in others and perhaps more closely examine our own motives and what has influenced them. I'm not speaking to anyone specifically and I'm hardly excluding myself. Just a thought that's been jostling around in my head recently.
As Christians we would do better to allow for such in others and perhaps more closely examine our own motives and what has influenced them. I'm not speaking to anyone specifically and I'm hardly excluding myself. Just a thought that's been jostling around in my head recently.
The only church that the Lord tells them to leave is Laodicea, the apostate church. He doesn't tell the saints in the other churches to leave, rather he commends them for the things they are doing well and rebukes them for the things they aren't doing well.
That was very informative and in today's environment I can understand why people would be drawn to it. And I think such an organization would serve many that traditional church models leave to fall through the gaps.
I do have a question though? Rightly or wrongly applied, traditional churches do offer avenues for correction and discipline. Do you find this lacking any in the organic church?
I remember I visited a local church for their pastors appreciation day. This was before covid so the place was packed. It was 114° that day and no air conditioning in the building. I stayed about 10 minutes and left. Imagine taking everyone's ties money every Sunday but won't fix the air conditioning.
Or I saw another preacher get behind the pulpit and brag about how much is church pays him
Or I saw another preacher get behind the pulpit and brag about how much is church pays him
Not if it's done right. Organic church is an idea and doesn't have a statement of faith. It's a general philosophy so different groups do things differently. Creating an environment where Christ, the head, and the Holy Spirit are allowed to lead is the most important thing.
Christ gave shepherds to the church to serve, not to lord it over others. If discipline is necessary it's scriptural for them exercise their authority, but in love and the best interest of the whole body, not to punish anyone. Sadly, correction and discipline are hard to come by in most institutional churches. A lot of them pay lip service to it but rarely, if ever, put it into practice.
I appreciate you taking the time to respond. I like the idea of a local independent body of believers led by the Spirit. It will be interesting to watch if it grows and prospers.
I think it might have something to do with the fact 60% of people ages 35 and under claim to suffer from some form of mental illness.
Ironically, not a single medically diagnosed and confirmed person with Psychological Disorders thinks it is sane to believe in God.
That interests me when the mentally suffering think believing in GOD is a form of mental Illness.