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Great sin of the American Pastor....I love that line.
- Thread starter Nikud
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I'm glad he included the line about the ""unconverted" being a part of these churches. I'm really starting to become convinced that evangelism is something we should do outside the assembly, not within it. Closed door churches are going to be much purer and effectual.
Absolutely.
Preaching to the masses, converting the heathen, was something that was supposed to be done "out there".
It's go and preach, not come and listen.
The Church was where believers were to congregate; to discuss and expound; to teach and learn.
I am already saved; I don't need to be told I need to be saved. I'm not going to Hell; I don't need to be told I'm going to Hell. I've already been baptized; I don't need to be told I need to be baptized.
The vast majority of "church" has become a colossal waste of time for the serious Christian.
Yep. We are discussing what a true church is supposed to be like, look like structurally and functionally in a Bible study we’re attending. This very thing came up this week. Evangelism outside, study and exhortation inside.
Very well stated.
When I was in college I had to dutifully and diligently take notes and then study and review IF I planned on passing the test, make the grade, pass the course, eventually get my diploma.
I'm soooo weary of having to take notes to keep myself mentally alert during the sermon! It's not that I'm not trying to hear the message, or that it's too deep for me that I can't understand it, or that I didn't get enough sleep the night before. Sometimes my notebook is open, and I leave the meeting not having taken even one note because there wasn't anything noteworthy. Other times there's barely even one Scripture given or read along with the expose or outline that's been so dutifully prepared so it could be presented as a masterpiece of alliteration. Other times it's more about what the man in the pulpit thinks about the topic at hand than it is about what the Word of God has to say on the same topic. There have been times when I've grown weary of hearing how the man has done this and that and something else and by the end of the sermon I'm wondering why I haven't heard anything from the Word.
When you've been told all your life that to be a good Christian, among other things, you MUST not forsake the assembling of yourselves together--meaning you "better be in church every time the doors are open" or you're a sinner, or backslidden, or out of fellowship with the Lord--the religious routine of sitting in front of the grand stage--the platform where all performance happens in a church becomes a form of entertainment. When pablum is mostly what's being handed out in the baby bottles for months and years on end, is it any wonder that the body is weak, emaciated, broken, enticed, deceived, and searching for some solid food of substance.
Putting in a DVD and pushing play doesn't get it either. That's just another stage and platform. Usually the facilitator follows the DVD message with some of their choice thoughts and take aways from what was just said, somebody prays, and everyone is dismissed because Wed. night prayer meeting or Sunday night small group is over--"and wasn't it a wonderful time, great message, etc." It's like listening to the political debates, and then the news commentators take over and decide we need them to tell us what the people in the debate just said
.Most of the time, if that small group of believers who really want truth and are seeking it manage to get a bona fide Bible study going and ask the pastor to facilitate or join, once questions and real discussion commences, the pastor isn't well enough versed in Scripture to break Bread. And WOE to the believer(s) who begins ransacking the Scriptures for themselves, finds truth, can prove it with multiple Scriptures, but it doesn't line up with what the pastor says goes in his brick and mortar!
Scripture does say there will be a famine in the last days--it will be a famine of the Word, the body will be hungering, and there will be few that know truth and have studied it diligently so that a spread can be laid and others can partake.
Thanks, Kevin for the video! Thanks vv76 for being one of those who humbly and willingly breaks Bread with those who are thirsty and hungry.
I think it goes a long way to stop thinking of oneself as a consumer and to start thinking of oneself as a provider. The reason we should not stop forsaking the assembly is because it is our duty to be encouraging to one another. It is more difficult to encourage others sitting at home by yourself.
Then, sit at home with a bunch of others..... just finished fellowship here with several other families. About three lively hours of discussion in the Word followed by breaking bread and another two hours of lively discussion before people started drifting out the door....'
I think you misunderstood my comment. It doesn't say, "forsake not the assembly". It says, "forsake not the assembling of yourselves together...". I don't sit at home by myself, I do assemble with other believers in a myriad of ways on a weekly basis, and I usually am looking for ways to be a blessing to those I'm around regardless of the setting. Referring back to my earlier comment--the standard stance of modern Christianity is that if you're not assembling yourselves together in "brick and mortar" or more specifically in THEIR brick and mortar, then you're just wrong. THAT stance is wrong!
That's good community!
I attended 2 congregations..... for the moment. Throughout the week I host or attend small groups. We spend time at the salvation army in fellowship. All theses are just part of the assembly. There comes a time when part of the assembly that resides in a building and calls itself the church forces you out of fellowship because of our understanding.
The old punkrock movie called SLC Punk has a quote that I love, please forgive the language.
"And so there I was. I was gonna go to Harvard. It was obvious. I was gonna be a lawyer and play in the [omitted] system, and that was that. I was my old man. He knew, so what else could I do? I mean, there's no future in anarchy; I mean let's face it. But when I was into it, there was never a thought of the future. I mean we were certain the world was gonna end, but when it didn't, I had to do something, so [omitted] it. I could always be a litigator in New York and piss the sh×t out of the judges. I mean that was me: a trouble maker of the future. The guy that was one of those guys that my parents so arrogantly saved the world for, so we could [omitted] it up. We can do a hell of a lot more damage in the system than outside of it. That was the final irony, I think."
Until that time when I get the left foot, Im going to keep fighting. There are truths being ignored and falsehoods promoted. As long as I welcome in that building I'm going to knock holes in the wall so the fresh air comes in and the stale stench of mold leaves.
The old punkrock movie called SLC Punk has a quote that I love, please forgive the language.
"And so there I was. I was gonna go to Harvard. It was obvious. I was gonna be a lawyer and play in the [omitted] system, and that was that. I was my old man. He knew, so what else could I do? I mean, there's no future in anarchy; I mean let's face it. But when I was into it, there was never a thought of the future. I mean we were certain the world was gonna end, but when it didn't, I had to do something, so [omitted] it. I could always be a litigator in New York and piss the sh×t out of the judges. I mean that was me: a trouble maker of the future. The guy that was one of those guys that my parents so arrogantly saved the world for, so we could [omitted] it up. We can do a hell of a lot more damage in the system than outside of it. That was the final irony, I think."
Until that time when I get the left foot, Im going to keep fighting. There are truths being ignored and falsehoods promoted. As long as I welcome in that building I'm going to knock holes in the wall so the fresh air comes in and the stale stench of mold leaves.
I miss having gatherings at my house. We used to do it really regularly but I moved to Texarkana.... with my mom who is anti social so now.... I have all of you. I am only sorry I won't be able to meet any of you at this retreat. Maybe the next one. I am glad I have this forum and all the ladies. It has meant more to me than any of you know.
This group in an essence does "go out" and reach people. You do everyday when a new person comes in like I did searching for answers. You all have helped me learn and grow spiritually. Some of you I have gotten to know on a personal level. Phone calls, video chats, personal messages here and on FB messanger. Thank you all!
This group in an essence does "go out" and reach people. You do everyday when a new person comes in like I did searching for answers. You all have helped me learn and grow spiritually. Some of you I have gotten to know on a personal level. Phone calls, video chats, personal messages here and on FB messanger. Thank you all!
Keep at it Kevin, don't give up! Your go get'em attitude is awesome!
Flashback time....
Quadruple likes, brother.
The literal opposite of consumer is creater; which is a lot similar to provider.
Another way to think of yourself is as a doer. Consumerism is passive. Christ sent us, with a commission, on a mission, with things to do. None of which get done by sitting in a pew for an hour (or 4) a week.
!!! WHAT?!?---Not going? I was super looking forward to meeting you. Are you positive on this???
Well my car is not working properly and I was going to go with the Puryears. Since they aren't going neither am I. I am sure there will be other opportunities. I was really looking forward to going and meeting you as well.
I will cover you all in prayer for safe travels.
Although I attend a normal church, I am a big fun of home church. Indeed that is the kind of churches that had in Biblical times. My comment was more about you should not be alone, than where you choose to meet up with other Christians.