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UPDATED 06/30/2010
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We are so steeped in worldliness, it is virtually impossible to think of how drastically the world will be without sin.
Are they things of the past or just inconvenient as the church pursues other goals?
Or is it simply caught in the warp of time when it, along with other aspects of Christianity are being also thrown aside in favor of human wisdom and aspirations?
Do we have trouble today confronting the real Jesus because He doesn't fit into our schedules?
Perhaps introductions are in order. Hold onto your hats, He isn't who the church says he is. No, that would interfere with the purposes that drive them.
Which are we looking for, Jesus, the Son of the Living God, our savior, OR the Jewish Messiah?
Do we really have to justify, prove, the the legitimacy of Jesus by His lineage and Jewish expectations of a king who restore Israel by defeating all its mortal enemies?
It is not up to us to defend Jesus. People will believe in Him or not. All we have to do is "show the colors of the Gospel," as it were in word and deed.
What would happen if we would extinguish the Holy Spirit in our churches? The answer is obvious. Just look around at the condition the "church" is in today.
What else can what churches be called when they dress the Gospel up ludicrous "garments" designed to appeal to our lowest of human desires?
By its very nature, the Gospel is not and never has been "politically correct." This has driven many who want it to be "all things to all people," to render it little if anything.
The short answer to that question is never; not in this lifetime.
We are to believe there is no longer a need for the Gifts of the Spirit. In their place we have substituted the teachings, doctrines and commandments of men.
The use of such terms as "detachment," "transformation," "emptiness," enlightenment," "awakening" by advocates of "contemplative spirituality" is indeed a Ragamuffin Gospel - a a ragged, disreputable gospel; that is a poorly clothed, dirty child-like image of the Truth.
If one looks closely, and pays careful attention to the actions and philosophies of "seeker churches," it becomes apparent that what they are seeking is the approval of others - non-Christians; the society and culture in general. They're suffering from "separation anxiety" and will gladly sacrifice the Gospel in order to gain the acceptance of such.
We keep confusing ourselves and others with well-meaning attempts to prove this or that article of our faith not realizing that proof and faith are contradictory. The more something is proven, the less faith it takes.
To an incredible degree, the journey of becoming a disciple of Jesus is one of removing ourselves from the vain interests of the world.
"Flying under the radar" is a sure way to crash into "the Lake of Fire," just ask any group of "brass monkeys."
We must constantly remind ourselves of the horrific history of disobedience to God. The archetype of such is called Satan who is well traveled going to and fro in the earth and walking up and down in it. (Job 1:7) He is a practiced ravenous wolf; a dragon; a serpent, rather than a lamb, dumb before his shearer. (Acts 8:32) He is prideful, a deceiver, an accuser, and a tempter. He is not to be reckoned with.
The white washed tombs we now call "church," are the remnants of the true church; a grotesque shadow of the once vibrant, spirit-filled and spirit-led Christian church we find in Scripture.
Rags to riches sermons may draw in the throngs, but they aren't Scriptural.
In their exaggerated zeal for "Social Missionology" churches are overlooking their unique calling and the world's most desperate needs.
Lessons from the Mommy of the Sons of Zebedee
And, a "Blue Law" Sunday to you too!
We may want to have both. We may have both; but we shouldn't brag about it because we aren't gonna get both in this life.
We clamor against worldliness and, by our actions, do everything to engage it.
In its mad rush to be likable and popular, the church is violating a fundamental Christian principle. We are rapidly submerging into a "worldized" church.
We talk about it. We hear sermons about it. But, what does it mean to be "active in the church?"
Shouldn't Christians be the most thankful people on the face of the earth? Then, isn't it about time we learned to say "thanks" instead of "gimmie?"
Teaching/preaching is a mechanical, perfunctory, impersonal, sterile and ineffective process. Its only saving grace is that we can sleep through most lessons - some of the best snooze time we get all week.
A modern-day fallacy.
It’s difficult to say if the pendulum has described its full arch. Regardless, it’s time for it to reverse course
The real concern is welcomed to what for what.
We pay more attention to whether on not our milk comes from satisfied California cows than to the Holy Spirit
What credentials should a "man of the cloth" really have before we give any credence to what he tells us is the Gospel Truth?
A new "reformation" must rethink the "church."
God is not one-dimensional as our limitations on understanding have made Him out to be.
Often we forget about the forest because our attention is focused on one or two trees.
We must ask, "How successful is the "Church" when people hear the word they think of money instead of Jesus the Christ?"
How often do we "mispronounce" the Gospel?"
The "church" is so far off course, it bears no resemblance to Biblical accounts and, consequently, does not deserve the title.
"Church" fads have gone from bad to worse - from "seeker friendly" to emerging.
Maybe we need a "Scopes Monkey Trial" to respond to the anti-Christianity sneaking its way into our congregations.
How much should the Gospel Message be modified to be "politically correct?'
Is Jesus watching and listening to contemporary preaching and shaking His head in consternation over how little things have changed since He castigated the Pharisees?
There's a lot to the Gospel Message. Care should be taken not to slight some of it to fit our personal preconceptions.
From our limited perspective (about that of a mayfly or a little less) we think the battles that are lost means the war is lost. Not so.
With the glad-handed rush to please everyone and offend no one, we must take care that we don't destroy the essentials of Christianity.
So Israel rejected God resulting in the utter destruction of it's nation. If we do the same, what is to make us think the results won't be the same?
There's a time and place for "missional" work, it just isn't in "church."
Can we logically dismiss the 120 + miracles recorded in Scripture. If we could, what would we have gained?
There's always the temptation on the part of so-called "intellectuals" to read and interpret the Bible to suit their agendas.
He has every right to be.
The Tribulation of the Church
The "church" has been the target of Lucifer from the beginning. Now, he has new allies and new ammunition to shoot at us.
It isn't so much that we have to "check our brains" at the church door as it is our image of God we need to check.
Like some beer, it is so close to being tasteless so it won't offend the taste of any but the most discriminating imbibers.
The two realities of the Christian faith are under a withering attack by an avant-garde intelligentsia.
From enticing non-believers to renovating the world, so-called "mournful saviors" will go to any extreme to accomplish their perceived mission.
This article deals with how the misbehavior of the "gathered church" as well as individual Christians can influence those around us.
Is an examination of the influence of pop culture on established Christian principles
Baptism for the dead is widespread and found in all Roman Catholic and Protestant denominations. Just look around.
What ever happened to a loving, caring group of friends that got together to offer up praises and to worship the Lord? That was the early church. Where did it go?
How can we distinguish the Truth from deceitfulness?
Since we've been preaching at the world for nearly 2,000 years, why is most of it still not convinced that He is the way?
What should the goals of any church be - to grow, to solve problems or what?
What will it be that drives our lives?
Did what Paul wrote to the saints in Corinth only apply to them?
With all the new "isms" cropping up, maybe it's time for Christianity to get refocused - "reborn."
The last thing we want to hear in the Christian community is criticism of the likes of Benny Hinn and Paula White - right?
The "church" has been so busy minding everyone else's business, it has forgotten what it's is.
Why are we strangers to those who are out brothers and sisters in Christ?
What kind of an example do church leaders set when their actions emulate those of the world?
A prayer, a purpose, a resolution
If we grab the elements on the way out of church, are we showing sufficient respect?
How much commercialism is too much commercialism - especially this time of year?