If you identify yourself as a Christian, then I assume it really matters to you whether or not Jesus wants you to attend church. After all, He is your King….not just your advisor….or your buddy….but your Lord….and your God. Right?
We live in a day where many professing believers are being tempted to ditch the whole "church thing." In some cases, it's because they had a bad experience in a church. That is understandable….because it happens. Just as divorce takes place in marriages, pain is also experienced in certain church situations. So what's the solution? Should you dump church…or instead, get connected to one where you will grow?
Well….let's think about why Jesus instituted His church in the first place. He knew better than anyone how weak His followers can become….and how much we need the strength and wisdom of the Scriptures, and the friendships and encouragement of other believers. Hence,...
SC wrote: Not possible when one has a business with staff and local clients!
Ah yes, and me having having just joined the biggest online art gallery in the UK based in Gloucestershire, and have my own pitch in an arts and crafts centre in Machynlleth.
Michael Hranek wrote: SC UK O how I wish you lived in my area. I would be so honored to have you sit with my family and I on Sunday morning in the church (imperfect but a blessing) we attend, to worship the Lord together and hear His word preached and maybe afterwards to fellowship and pray for each other. I found this song on YouTube I hope you like it: Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul btw if John from Wales was with you he would be welcome too.
Dear Bro
If I lived near you, the honour would be mine to fellowship with you. If the other believers in your fellowship are nearly as warm hearted and zealous as you, then it would be a home I would desire.
Thank you too for the link. I shall look at that later.
John UK is only a few hundred miles from me. I hope to meet him one day.
John UK wrote: The only way for isolated believers to have fellowship today is either to move or to pray believing. Seeing as the latter is dependent upon sovereign grace, a move is probably the better option. New York here we come!
Not possible when one has a business with staff and local clients!
SC wrote: Good morning Bro. Trust you are well and that your part of Wales is still spiritually awake. My post was not meant to be controversial, but at a guess yours was a response to my "regenerate church membership"?
Good morning dear brother.
Yes, I am very privileged to be still going to an gathering of saints, with a good Bible teacher. It is where the Lord would have me at present.
No I was not responding to anything in particular. Besides, if the regenerate were all palefaces, it would be easy to have a regenerate church membership, wouldn't it? Ha!
Anyway, be cheered! When we take flight, away from this world, all trivial matters down below will be gone and forgotten, not even put in the recycle bin.
The only way for isolated believers to have fellowship today is either to move or to pray believing. Seeing as the latter is dependent upon sovereign grace, a move is probably the better option.
SC UK O how I wish you lived in my area. I would be so honored to have you sit with my family and I on Sunday morning in the church (imperfect but a blessing) we attend, to worship the Lord together and hear His word preached and maybe afterwards to fellowship and pray for each other.
If the Lord were to suddenly turn the faces of the unregenerate a scarlet colour, and the faces of the regenerate a pale white colour, I would hope that the palefaces - who after all, have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, having been chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, predestinated and in time called and justified - would be able to put aside any denominational differences, indeed, put aside their denominations as unbiblical, and cease following mere men and, as Bro Michael points out, that such would regard the preeminence of Christ, loving him supremely above all things, and serving him joyfully and faithfully, together with other palefaces, remembering that God is no respecter of persons, loves all eternally, and is patient with our doctrinal fumbling because, after all, it is the Spirit which leads us into all truth, and if we neglect the great ministry of God the Holy Spirit, especially through his word, then the palefaces are being swayed by other men's conclusions, rather than being taught by the Spirit as equal individuals. Doctrine has to be apostolic.
I really don't think Christ's bride should separate or become schismatic, except it be on account of sin.
Michael Hranek wrote: 'We do not realize how precious to God a true expression of the church is.'
Dear brethren
I have been following this discussion with interest, not only because of its importance, but also because the reality for so many nowadays is to choose between a church which is a church in name only or to stay at home.
I am not even speaking here about finding a perfect church, whatever that may be, but a church where the gospel is preached, where sound doctrine is espoused and where the Lords people want to grow in the knowledge and love of Christ, and desire to serve him acceptably in this evil generation.
It seems to me that most churches have capitulated to worldliness, oftentimes the worst forms, and church is now pure entertainment value.
Regenerate church membership is out, discipline is out etc.
So we can all explain the ideal from the Bible, but please have a heart for many who have tried and from frustration have to stay at home. The desire is there to be part of a church, but realistically the prospects are bleak. Does the Lord not accept the intent for obedience where practically it is not possible?
With love in the Lord to all who care for his glory.
Frank wrote: Thanks for the link Michael. I checked it out and it was informative.
Frank John UK Lurker Unimaginably Profitable Servant Beloved Brethern and Sisters
Some time ago I came across a famous quote. I think it was by Leonard Ravenhill (if anyone can confirm or correct me who said this please do)
'We do not realize how precious to God a true expression of the church is.'
I don't know about the rest of you but I know I've got a lot of learning and growing to do in this matter AND a whole lot of prayer and intercession (praise to God as well) for the people I attend church with.
And am convicted attending church, which ought to be people who can be seen as part of the precious holy undefiled by the world Bride whose first foremost and preeminent love is Jesus Christ that is about our Savior's business, eagarly awaiting the day He comes again for us, is not a casual flippant thing as 5 of the 7 churches in Revelation Jesus rebukes with a repent or else I will ______ and for one of them it was that He would vomit them out of His mouth.
Shame on the leadership that have perverted our assemblies into little (or mega) religous businesses for their own agendas and entertainments.
Frank wrote: Pilgrim. Now, I tend to doubt that, so I will have to read between the lines which as you know I am not very good at. But, since I'm not good at that sort of thing, then I will just be understanding. That is always the best way to be anyway.
Thank you Frank.
I still can't remember, but it was something along the lines of ....
God will lead and guide, and you will have perfect peace inwardly, despite the attempts of legalists to remove it. The Lord knows what he does. His ways are past finding out. When he speaks, just be ready to do as he says. But I know you knew that already. Shall I then post it? Why not?
John UK wrote: Fellow Pilgrim Now I've forgotten what I was going to say. Thank you for being so understanding.
Pilgrim. Now, I tend to doubt that, so I will have to read between the lines which as you know I am not very good at. But, since I'm not good at that sort of thing, then I will just be understanding. That is always the best way to be anyway.
Jim, I never said that I didn't know what to look for in a church? Nor, did I even suggest that I needed help in finding one. Michael's link was what to do if you are looking, so his was appropriate.
Do you really think that I don't understand "what to look for in a church"?
Michael Hranek wrote: UnimaginablyProfitable Servant Frank I appreciate your discussion in this matter. In my humble observation there is a lot of propaganda and pressure put on people to blindly attend church, coming out of modern day so evangelical ecumenical "Christianity". IMHO Satan love for people to get on a religious merry-go-round where he abuses Biblical issues, like this one, to distranct and lead the gullible around by the nose to keep them blind to the reality of what is going on, in this case the wretched apostasy in modern day ecumenical evangelism that provokes the All Holy God to wrath. And to help us avoid these religious merry-go-rounds I wanted to repost the link to: 5 Options For Those Looking For a Biblical Church as it has been a blessing to my wife and I.
Thanks for the link Michael. I checked it out and it was informative.
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'We do not realize how precious to God a true expression of the church is.'
