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The Word-less “Church”
Feb 27, 2015 | W. Robert Godfrey

Posted on 02/27/2015 8:50:26 AM PST by Gamecock

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To: dragonblustar

“These are trying times. Ten years ago, this wasn’t a problem, ( gay marriage ) because people just accepted that it was ridiculous, but now it’s as if people have lost their minds.”

You nailed it.


21 posted on 02/27/2015 10:29:46 AM PST by avenir (I'm pessimistic about man, but I'm optimistic about GOD!)
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To: Gamecock

In reality, they’re Christianless churches.


22 posted on 02/27/2015 10:41:47 AM PST by afsnco
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To: Trapped Behind Enemy Lines

“I cringe when I hear the term “social justice”. Code words for socialism IMHO”

no, its code for racism against whites.

Our church had a couples study where we got together once a week. It was my turn to head up the study topic. I loaded the DVD we were to watch soon to get an idea on the subject matter. Also did some pre-internet searching on the author. Amazon reviews were almost all positive on the author as a very intelligent, wise Christian Pastor.

Anyway as I was watching the DVD, the message wasn’t sitting right with me and then the magic phrase spilled from this man’s “wise” lips - social justice and its importance in a church.

Now this was years ago before that term was more commonplace (yet still I bet 75% of adults are unfamiliar with it - stupid and tragic).

I knew what that phrase really meant. I mentioned it to our group that night. These were all nice, conservative rural hard working folks but their eyes glossed over and I’m sure they thought I was a loon. I’ve been telling people here on FR that there are still far too many men who are like the aforementioned group, who are still naïve of the evil going around this Country. And simply have no idea and whose families are ripe to be raped and pillaged. And no, that is not hyperbole.

Anyway, I stopped being part of the weekly studies. Sad to say as a Christian, the only people I’m willing to study the Bible with, and to seek the truth and not twist it to fit my beliefs, are those that realize that war is coming real soon and that Prayer AND Fighting with arms is our only hope.

If we are to be ONLY loving our neighbor all the time, and ONLY submitting to Govt Authority, and that is what the Bible states unless I’m missing something, then I sadly say I cannot follow God’s commands. There is a time NOT to love your neighbor and not to follow your Govt Leaders but to crush them.


23 posted on 02/27/2015 10:59:36 AM PST by roofgoat
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To: afsnco

There is a book out there call “Christless Christianity.” Hits the nail on the head.


24 posted on 02/27/2015 10:59:36 AM PST by Gamecock (Joel Osteen is a minister of the Gospel like Colonel Sanders is an Infantry officer.)
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To: dragonblustar
The approach of our church is to get people to have a personal relationship with Christ. I like that approach but I’ve seen people leave when they sense this relationship won’t allow gay marriage.

That's why preaching must preach the Bible and call it an abomination.

Would you go to a church where there were a lot of thieves and thief influences, and the preaching simply refrained from ever preaching that theft is a sin, and thus everyone including the elders and the congregation would just turn a blind eye to theft and never mention it ?

Of course, such a congregation would attract the biggest thieves and gangster types, who could pose as Christians and "pillars of the community" and continue their criminality.

Once a pastor gives in on one doctrine and shuts up about a certain sin, he loses all ability to resist those who want him to shut up about other sins.

Such a church then becomes a social club that mocks the Bible and God; it becomes "anything goes", and the preaching is nothing but fluff and their worship becomes a mere show for people.
25 posted on 02/27/2015 1:40:22 PM PST by PieterCasparzen (Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.)
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To: dragonblustar

Pastors are called to preach the full counsel of God. Not to water down certain doctrines that may be out of step with the culture.


26 posted on 02/27/2015 1:44:38 PM PST by Gamecock (Joel Osteen is a minister of the Gospel like Colonel Sanders is an Infantry officer.)
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To: Gamecock; PieterCasparzen

My pastors do take a stand for the unborn and for traditional marriage, the Christians in Iraq and Syria but they really try to remain neutral when it comes to politics. I’m really of two minds about this. Am I being overly critical of my pastors because they don’t? Or am I losing focus on Christ and the will of the Father, not putting my faith in Him?- Thinking man is in control.. etc.

One thing I didn’t like was when I needed counsel about how my child was being taught Islam in (public)school and encourage to recite the Shahadha in class. The youth pastor really didn’t give any advice or help on the matter. I think in matters like that, the church could have been more bold.

But saying all that, I’m not a pastor and I don’t know what they are thinking and praying. Am I putting to much on them? Am I not leaning on God? I have a ton of questions and it’s hard not having someone to really talk to about this.


27 posted on 02/27/2015 2:07:24 PM PST by dragonblustar (Philippians 2:10)
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To: dragonblustar

***I don’t know what they are thinking and praying.***

I think you should have a pretty good idea based on what they say, and don’t say in the pulpit.

A lot of seeker sensitive churches shy away from Gods word because they know that that sermons will quickly become drive “seekers” away.

Keep reminding yourself, church is not the place for evangelism, but rather the goal.


28 posted on 02/27/2015 2:12:56 PM PST by Gamecock (Joel Osteen is a minister of the Gospel like Colonel Sanders is an Infantry officer.)
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To: Gamecock
Keep reminding yourself, church is not the place for evangelism, but rather the goal.

That's a good point.

29 posted on 02/27/2015 2:28:24 PM PST by dragonblustar (Philippians 2:10)
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To: dragonblustar
Go where you will be fed. Not where goats are entertained.

May I refer you to the following?

Feeding Sheep or Amusing Goats?

30 posted on 02/27/2015 2:42:58 PM PST by Gamecock (Joel Osteen is a minister of the Gospel like Colonel Sanders is an Infantry officer.)
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To: dragonblustar

IMHO...

When your pastor (teaching elder) can not guide you on doctrinal questions - or neglects or refuses to - it’s time to find a new pastor.

On politics, these days it just so happens that BOTH parties have enormous anti-Christ stances on issues and corruption.

So, IMHO, a pastor should be condemning all serious anti-Christ activity he sees in society, warning and educating his flock.

Biblically we are to be “in the world but not of the world”; we are to refuse worldliness and separate ourselves from sin - and be a salt and light to the world.

Government schools are unbiblical to begin with; allowing one’s child to be indoctrinated with anything anti-Christ is a serious failing of the responsibility of a Christian head of household (the father, who has responsibility for his household).

Here’s the first in a series of sermons on Daniel, the first two speak about Daniel refusing the King’s meat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFFWEGpX0MQ


31 posted on 02/27/2015 4:58:12 PM PST by PieterCasparzen (Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.)
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To: Gamecock

Great post, thanks. I have always felt that if a preacher is indeed preaching the actual Word of God and the elders are managing the Church according to Scripture then have faith and let God take care of the rest. Prayer is key and when you think you have prayed enough pray some more.


32 posted on 02/27/2015 8:53:46 PM PST by mrobisr
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To: PieterCasparzen
Government schools are unbiblical to begin with; allowing one’s child to be indoctrinated with anything anti-Christ is a serious failing of the responsibility of a Christian head of household (the father, who has responsibility for his household).

The Christian schools in our area are just as bad if not worse then the public schools. I sent my oldest daughter to there for a year then took her out because he teacher was a just mean spirited. She would use the students to go after my daughter and single her out in class.

The next Christian school in the area is about $8,000 -$9,000 a year per student. We just can't afford that with three children. My husband just lost his job this year but luckily found another. He has to put in 80 plus hours plus has to fly out of state to do business. He works hard to keep a roof over our heads. We lost our home several years ago and have to rent. It's been a struggle to get to where we are. We rely on my husband's income until my little ones are old enough not to go into day care, which will be in about a year, then I'll able to go back to work, at least part time.

33 posted on 02/27/2015 10:01:29 PM PST by dragonblustar (Philippians 2:10)
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To: dragonblustar
The next Christian school in the area is about $8,000 -$9,000 a year per student.

More like $4,500 - $5,500 on this side of the state.

34 posted on 02/27/2015 10:07:54 PM PST by steve86 (Prophecies of Maelmhaedhoc OÂ’Morgair (Latin form: Malachy))
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To: Gamecock
Many American churches are in a mess. Theologically they are indifferent, confused, or dangerously wrong. Liturgically they are the captives of superficial fads. Morally they live lives indistinguishable from the world. ... But not much of the Bible is actually read in their services. Their sermons and studies usually do not examine the Bible to see what it thinks is important for the people of God. Increasingly they treat the Bible as tidbits of poetic inspiration, of pop psychology, and of self-help advice.

Stick with being a trad Catholic as I am and none of this is applicable.

35 posted on 02/27/2015 10:11:35 PM PST by steve86 (Prophecies of Maelmhaedhoc OÂ’Morgair (Latin form: Malachy))
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To: dragonblustar

Homeschooling is best.


36 posted on 02/27/2015 10:19:31 PM PST by PieterCasparzen (Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.)
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To: Gamecock

Holding to a form of godliness, but denying the power there of.

Harlot church, filled with body mortgage “lovers of money.”

Would haved stood to the death vs. mortgage body care, and the body mortgage traffickers of Extortion-Care. The Harlot is in on It.


37 posted on 02/27/2015 10:38:24 PM PST by Varsity Flight (Extortion-Care is is the Government Work-Camp: Arbeitsziehungslager)
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To: Varsity Flight

Revelation: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;

Re:3:15: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Re:3:16: So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Re: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:

Re:3:18: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Re:3:19: As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Re:3:20: Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Re:3:21: To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Re:3:22: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.


38 posted on 02/27/2015 10:45:39 PM PST by Varsity Flight (Extortion-Care is is the Government Work-Camp: Arbeitsziehungslager)
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To: Gamecock

Interesting how little rancor there is in the thread, compared to some others.


39 posted on 02/28/2015 9:31:07 AM PST by Lee N. Field ("And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise" Gal 3:29)
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To: steve86
More like $4,500 - $5,500 on this side of the state.

Got to live where the jobs are.

40 posted on 02/28/2015 10:56:09 AM PST by dragonblustar (Philippians 2:10)
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