Dennis, I believe many evangelicals (and Catholics) have cleaved Jesus' instructions into two parts, and discarded the one which is harder to follow. Dozens of times, our Lord spoke to sinners, saying "You are forgiven" (part one). "Now go and sin no more" (part two, the hard part). Certain pastors have discovered they can increase the s…
Dennis, I believe many evangelicals (and Catholics) have cleaved Jesus' instructions into two parts, and discarded the one which is harder to follow. Dozens of times, our Lord spoke to sinners, saying "You are forgiven" (part one). "Now go and sin no more" (part two, the hard part). Certain pastors have discovered they can increase the size of their congregations by omitting part two. And we all know that head count defines pastoral success, don't we ....
For most pastors the answer is to your question is yes. I'm called to make disciples. I am very blessed to lead a church not focused on membership but focused on serving the Lord. I remind people that the Bible doesn't say anything about being a member of a church. It's an Ekklēsia .
Our pastors and our church's growth both prove the truth of your statement. When the word is truthfully, clearly, boldly preached, the Lord provides the (congregational) increase. Sola scriptura.
Jesus alone had/has the power to save those who He knew before the beginning. We have no such power but to point them to Him. Sin kills, eternally. God hates those who despise His Word His way.
There are stories across the internet of churches, many of which are ELCA or PC (USA) or Anglican or evangelical nondenominational, affirming "gay but not acted on" sexuality. Some have gone so far as to employ pastors who hew to that line. "Being homosexual is fine just so long as you do not act on your impulses". This fits into the broader definition of "carnal Christianity", wherein sinners take cover under Jesus' overarching forgiveness, but ignore His commands to repent and sin no more. From what four PCA pastors tell me, this is a growing trend - mainly in American and UK churches. But it does not end there.
I’ve seen it claimed that the Bible statements in regards to perverted sex are now disproven by SCIENCE. Like the inspired writers (and the inspiration from God) were ignorant and now we know better.
@47Yinzer “Dennis, I believe many evangelicals (and Catholics) have cleaved Jesus' instructions into two parts, and discarded the one which is harder to follow.” I would posit it’s a problem that *all* believers can fall prey to, not just evangelicals and Catholics. Is there a reason why you think those two categories are more prone to that?
All *can* fall prey, but not *all* do so readily. Many congregations in the named denominations have made public statements supporting "carnal Christianity". Many ELCA and Anglican churches in the USA are bleeding membership. There are many comments posted by those members who fled to congregations that proclaim open belief in sola scriptura. I could introduce you to a few of these good folks up here in the Appalachian mountains of Georgia.
Listen to preaching online from pastors in various denominations. You decide who is cherry-picking the gospel.
Either it is all true as the divinely breathed word of God, or none of it is true. Fallen men do not have the luxury of abiding just by the easy commands and covenants.
Dennis, I believe many evangelicals (and Catholics) have cleaved Jesus' instructions into two parts, and discarded the one which is harder to follow. Dozens of times, our Lord spoke to sinners, saying "You are forgiven" (part one). "Now go and sin no more" (part two, the hard part). Certain pastors have discovered they can increase the size of their congregations by omitting part two. And we all know that head count defines pastoral success, don't we ....
Exactly. A lefty person I know tried to use part 1 on me, and when I followed up with part 2 she didn't have anything else to say.
The Word is PERFECT and sharper than any "two edged sword"!! SO SAITH "THE WORD".
For most pastors the answer is to your question is yes. I'm called to make disciples. I am very blessed to lead a church not focused on membership but focused on serving the Lord. I remind people that the Bible doesn't say anything about being a member of a church. It's an Ekklēsia .
Our pastors and our church's growth both prove the truth of your statement. When the word is truthfully, clearly, boldly preached, the Lord provides the (congregational) increase. Sola scriptura.
Yes, and Jesus didn’t come to give us a religion.
a calling out
Jesus alone had/has the power to save those who He knew before the beginning. We have no such power but to point them to Him. Sin kills, eternally. God hates those who despise His Word His way.
Are many just starting to say that deviant sexual practice is not sin? So just ignore it? Really asking your opinion because I don’t know.
There are stories across the internet of churches, many of which are ELCA or PC (USA) or Anglican or evangelical nondenominational, affirming "gay but not acted on" sexuality. Some have gone so far as to employ pastors who hew to that line. "Being homosexual is fine just so long as you do not act on your impulses". This fits into the broader definition of "carnal Christianity", wherein sinners take cover under Jesus' overarching forgiveness, but ignore His commands to repent and sin no more. From what four PCA pastors tell me, this is a growing trend - mainly in American and UK churches. But it does not end there.
The blessing of openly homosexual unions are openly dividing the Anglicans: https://religionnews.com/2023/02/16/we-cannot-walk-with-you-unless-you-repent-african-archbishops-tell-church-of-england/
That church has been infiltrated.
Sadly, the Catholic Church may have started that. They say you may not be able to not have same sex attraction, but it is a sin to act on it.
Look forward to responses here.
I’ve seen it claimed that the Bible statements in regards to perverted sex are now disproven by SCIENCE. Like the inspired writers (and the inspiration from God) were ignorant and now we know better.
@47Yinzer “Dennis, I believe many evangelicals (and Catholics) have cleaved Jesus' instructions into two parts, and discarded the one which is harder to follow.” I would posit it’s a problem that *all* believers can fall prey to, not just evangelicals and Catholics. Is there a reason why you think those two categories are more prone to that?
All *can* fall prey, but not *all* do so readily. Many congregations in the named denominations have made public statements supporting "carnal Christianity". Many ELCA and Anglican churches in the USA are bleeding membership. There are many comments posted by those members who fled to congregations that proclaim open belief in sola scriptura. I could introduce you to a few of these good folks up here in the Appalachian mountains of Georgia.
Listen to preaching online from pastors in various denominations. You decide who is cherry-picking the gospel.
Either it is all true as the divinely breathed word of God, or none of it is true. Fallen men do not have the luxury of abiding just by the easy commands and covenants.
Huh--the narrow path is too tight to get into
They probably got vaxxed too.