Followers of Christ are to be soldiers, not distracted by a false spirituality that makes Christians ineffective in a world that greatly needs the church to be triumphant.
Great post. Pastors who refuse to address the threats of the world that their congregants must cope with in their lives outside the church are not good shepherds, no matter how well they may teach the text of the Bible from the pulpit.
I have news for them. Their congregations live in the world, whether or not they are "of" it, and the world is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. Jesus didn't say we were to be "salt and light" idly, or only inside our churches. And as I read and re-read the entire Bible front to back at least once every year, I see the comprehensive claims and interests of the Creator of all that is.
We are not at liberty to ignore the evils of the world around us. We are called to change them, most importantly by evangelism, but certainly not only that.
After the New Testament of our lord and Savior came into effect which you and I and the Jews that Peter addressed we are all under, hear what Peter told them (us today also) to do. Read the 2nd chapter of Acts. It says it all. And while your reading, see what order our commander gave each one of us in Matthew 28; 18-20.
Enjoy everyday of your life with the blessings you have received, praising God and sharing the story of our savior, with everyone willing and wanting to hear how to be saved. Confess, believe, be buried in the death of Jesus, and raised out of the waters of baptism, born again to start to change and walk as he is in the light. (1 Peter 3:21-22) God will help you. Find a Bible teaching church, the churches of Christ will help you in that endeavor.
Other examples:
Acts 22:14-16
Mark16:16
Romans 6:4
Col 2:12
Romans10: 17
Acts chapter 8
Acts chapter 9, 22, 26
“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
There is a ditch on each side of the road. Isolationism on one side, social activism on the other. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the preeminent message but if faith does not inspire good works it is dead. Life is a constant struggle for balance. A faithful shepherd will seek that, rebalancing as he goes.
Yes. The more time one spends in Scripture the more we see it. And to be fair, we never get the balance quite right, at least not in this life. But we're commanded to try and to improve.
This sign appeared at one of the problem churches in Red Deer Alberta. "Home Church Pastors Repent". Are you singing Hillsong, Elevation, Bethel and their friends music? You have problems then, several. Repent.
My grandfather used to quote Captain Fletcher from “The Outlaw Josie Wales” on guys like this: “Don’t piss down my back and tell me it’s raining”.
Crude enough, yes, but it gets the point across that these types of pastors are self-righteous hypocrites who only care to get their “brands” out there. We should not be fooled by them when they tell us their versions of holiness are true righteousness.
Platt, Warren, Stanley, and the like. And they hold us Biblically-orthodox Christians in derision for being “close minded”. Woe to the falsely pious teachers with their “Radical” phylacteries and their LGBT stoles that drag the ground, attracting attention to their “brand” of righteousness.
They are often opposed or at least silent on anything you might do to advance the teaching of the Bible in the world ("too worldly!" no matter how many times God directly addresses it), but then go to a BLM rally and kneel, or something else stupid. They want the world's praise. That doesn't mean they're terrible people or anything (some may be, most absolutely aren't). Their focus is just misplaced, and we should pray for our erring brothers and call them to repent.
Great post. Pastors who refuse to address the threats of the world that their congregants must cope with in their lives outside the church are not good shepherds, no matter how well they may teach the text of the Bible from the pulpit.
I have news for them. Their congregations live in the world, whether or not they are "of" it, and the world is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. Jesus didn't say we were to be "salt and light" idly, or only inside our churches. And as I read and re-read the entire Bible front to back at least once every year, I see the comprehensive claims and interests of the Creator of all that is.
We are not at liberty to ignore the evils of the world around us. We are called to change them, most importantly by evangelism, but certainly not only that.
After the New Testament of our lord and Savior came into effect which you and I and the Jews that Peter addressed we are all under, hear what Peter told them (us today also) to do. Read the 2nd chapter of Acts. It says it all. And while your reading, see what order our commander gave each one of us in Matthew 28; 18-20.
Enjoy everyday of your life with the blessings you have received, praising God and sharing the story of our savior, with everyone willing and wanting to hear how to be saved. Confess, believe, be buried in the death of Jesus, and raised out of the waters of baptism, born again to start to change and walk as he is in the light. (1 Peter 3:21-22) God will help you. Find a Bible teaching church, the churches of Christ will help you in that endeavor.
Other examples:
Acts 22:14-16
Mark16:16
Romans 6:4
Col 2:12
Romans10: 17
Acts chapter 8
Acts chapter 9, 22, 26
“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
"All things whatsoever I have commanded you."
There is a ditch on each side of the road. Isolationism on one side, social activism on the other. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the preeminent message but if faith does not inspire good works it is dead. Life is a constant struggle for balance. A faithful shepherd will seek that, rebalancing as he goes.
Yes. The more time one spends in Scripture the more we see it. And to be fair, we never get the balance quite right, at least not in this life. But we're commanded to try and to improve.
This sign appeared at one of the problem churches in Red Deer Alberta. "Home Church Pastors Repent". Are you singing Hillsong, Elevation, Bethel and their friends music? You have problems then, several. Repent.
My grandfather used to quote Captain Fletcher from “The Outlaw Josie Wales” on guys like this: “Don’t piss down my back and tell me it’s raining”.
Crude enough, yes, but it gets the point across that these types of pastors are self-righteous hypocrites who only care to get their “brands” out there. We should not be fooled by them when they tell us their versions of holiness are true righteousness.
Platt, Warren, Stanley, and the like. And they hold us Biblically-orthodox Christians in derision for being “close minded”. Woe to the falsely pious teachers with their “Radical” phylacteries and their LGBT stoles that drag the ground, attracting attention to their “brand” of righteousness.
They are often opposed or at least silent on anything you might do to advance the teaching of the Bible in the world ("too worldly!" no matter how many times God directly addresses it), but then go to a BLM rally and kneel, or something else stupid. They want the world's praise. That doesn't mean they're terrible people or anything (some may be, most absolutely aren't). Their focus is just misplaced, and we should pray for our erring brothers and call them to repent.