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Could it be that church becomes so "localized" in its focus that it misses God's heart and design for Christ's body on earth today? |
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Cheryl |
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July 15, 2008 at 5:17pm |
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| Amen!!! |
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Indifference.
Like it or not we are in a depression. People are too caught up with their own problems to worry about their neighbor. Like their neighbor, they may have lost their job and or their house. They may be worried about do they buy gas or food. Churches are feeling the crunch too. Giving is down because the cost of living is out of sight.
It is down to - let someone else do it. Trouble is - we are those someones. |
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| The threat I see is ppl in the churches being complacent and totally lukewarm. I see that in MOST churches regardless of denominations. If we were all onfire, then we could turn the world upsidedown for Christ! |
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| Gretchen, I agree with you. I have been fighting this myself. Looking at my own problems and not reaching out. Am praying that God helps me to turn my eyes off myself and look around at the work He has for me. |
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Kelly |
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July 19, 2008 at 6:07pm |
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Great comments! So much wisdom. What I have been seeing lately is that with the down turn of the economy we need each other more than we have in many years. Perhaps this can cause us to humble ourselves. That verse has been hitting me too Shirley. What hits me is MY people....He wasn't writing to people who weren't his, but to those of us who do claim to be His. It is when we, HIS people humble ourselves, pray and seek His face and WE turn from our wicked ways... we aren't waiting on "the world" but our own hearts. Lukewarm, indifference, complaceny....what will it take to move us out of that? I understand what you are all saying. It isn't a good place to be. Do you think presecution is coming? |
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All of the above comments are great.
Church has changed their methods in the name of reaching people but I wonder what they are really winning them to. In other words, if we are winning them with entertainment, and frills and chills is that really teaching them to take up their cross and follow Him?
Oh yes persecution is coming. Judgment starts at the house of God. Everything thing that can be shaken will be shaken. |
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| The greatest threat? COMPROMISE with the world around us! Yep, judgment starts w/us! |
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Kelly |
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July 21, 2008 at 4:09pm |
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| The hard thing for me to be honest is that we hear most people saying exactly this. Don't compromise with the world, we aren't here to entertain people, etc. and yet....why do we continue on this path? It seems very confusing to me. |
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| Well, it is hard to throw the baby out with the bath water. The church was in such a need of a overhaul as the greatest generation held on to power for ever. The old has passed away and putting new wine in old wineskins won't work. The problem is the church has been influenced by our culture. We are materialistic, consumer driven, self centered, fast paced etc...there is a popular consensus that people will not come to church if you do church like they did it 20-30 years ago. Though there is some truth to that, I think there has been a over compensation for it, and it is in need of some reform. The hard thing is, to bring about the change once the momentum has begun. What we need more than anything is a revival to reprioritize our lives. |
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| Persection in our countries tends to be within the church from other "believers" and not from without like other countries. Like the Word says if we are going to live righteous in Christ Jesus, we WILL suffer persecution. |
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Kelly |
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July 23, 2008 at 4:43am |
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Amen Brother Todd! That is a good analogy about new wine in old wine skins. I do bless those that have went on before us. I can see their frustration with the new direction that is happening because they see a lot of young people leaving the church. No matter what the reason, I am thankful that they care! So that is a positive.
Lara...that is one thing that is really giving the enemy a shooting target too isn't it? When we shoot each other we really don't need an enemy to wound us do we? I think you have hit upon a really important difference. The missionaries I have spoken with from Africa, South American countries, and China talk about the persecution they are under. But persecution from the outside tends to draw the believers together. Whereas when we shoot at each other it tends to separate us.
So what is the opinion of the House Church movement that is going on? |
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well to be in a recession, the country has to have two straight quarters of negative economic growth and its not een in a recession yet, Thats way jumping the gun of a depression. My parents lived through the 17 year depression.
The Church?
Well before Christ returns isnt there a great falling away predicted? We can make a difference within our circles and friends. However, 2nd Chronichles 7:14 has zero to do with America or any other country. It was written for them.At that time and for its own reason.
Ignorance is the Church's biggest issue. Doctrine after doctrine is created to make money. Jesus becomes secondary. The complete work that he does is not considered enough. |
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| I got saved in a house church after having been in regular churches and never getting saved. Enough said. ;) |
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Kelly |
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July 28, 2008 at 7:09pm |
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A little off topic, but they were discussing the recession thing in my daughter's college economic class. Apparently Michigan qualifies for the recession bid, but the country is showing a 3% growth which makes it not qualify for that title. I don't know about the rest of the states. Not sure where the comment about Christ's return, Chronicles and America came in as I didn't see that mentioned here but maybe I missed it? So you think the doctrines were created to make money? Interesting. How do doctrines make money for anyone? Yeah for you Lara! I would guess that is a positive testimony. |
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