tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17400640.post7053075855411187124..comments2021-06-20T23:05:14.463-04:00Comments on Derek's Blog: How to Keep the Church from Closing it's DoorsDerekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18186585220798634272noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17400640.post-71598726350473679462008-12-13T22:03:00.000-05:002008-12-13T22:03:00.000-05:00I am meandering archives.I do not review with 20-2...I am meandering archives.<BR/>I do not review with 20-20 hindsight, but a willingness to understand how "What Is" developed from "What Was".<BR/><BR/>These two sentences in your post stood out:<BR/><BR/>"Jesus promised that he would build his church and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. <BR/><BR/>However, individual local churches are not automatically protected from extinction - as we can see by all the churches across America that are closing their doors every day." <BR/><BR/>The first sentence is true, undeniable, Biblical, and a promise.<BR/>It is universal and eternal.<BR/><BR/>The second sentence denies the first. This is impossible if the first is declared as I outlined.<BR/><BR/>Individual churches ARE automatically protected from extinction; it is Biblical. The gates of hell will not prevail.<BR/><BR/>The focus of the church Jesus builds (not the one man builds) is on Jesus, and Jesus alone.<BR/>He wants to be the Gate to allow all sheep to enter the Kingdom and be with the Father.<BR/><BR/>He said "I will spit the lukewarm from my mouth", tho He is silent about the cold as opposed to lukewarm. Their plight is likely worse.<BR/><BR/>You are for Jesus, or against. (That then, makes you an ally of satan).<BR/><BR/>Sexual immorality at the top, pedophilia, embracing satanic doctrine over truth, deception, darkness, evil, distorted lies, new age, failure to preach and teach the Gospels, and a host of anti-christ activities that keep Godly folks from doing Christly activities lead to extinction.....<BR/>not a bending of His promise.<BR/><BR/>Those same domestic churches in decline here, are growing in other parts of the globe, so Christ has not stopped building His church on them.<BR/><BR/>He has stopped building in American, those churches with weak foundation, for the house can not stand when not built on rock.<BR/><BR/>The leadership of those churches boarded up, will one day face judgment for that boarding. They stray from an emphasis on Christ.<BR/><BR/>They teach the properity promise, despite God promising that "the poor you will always have among you". (One of them is lying---a hallmark of satan).<BR/><BR/>They deceive entrusted sheep in their flock.<BR/><BR/>They focus on accumulation of money (Christ never paved a parking lot). He paved Godly intent.<BR/><BR/>They harm children (Millstone time for them!).<BR/><BR/>They preach churchianity and religiosity instead of Jesus Christ, King of Kings.<BR/><BR/>Ritual and the thoughts of man take precedence over leading folks to Christ.<BR/>There is no other purpose to church.<BR/><BR/>But in America, volleyball courts and complementary breakfast for the rich, take precedence over visiting prisoners and acts of mercy.<BR/><BR/>A wife once sat in the car with her husband. He was driving and listening to her saying:<BR/>"When we first fell in love, we cuddled as we drove around. You stroked my hair and whispered 'I love you'. You put your arms around me and squeezed me often. You don't do that anymore"<BR/><BR/>The driver and the husband uttered a two word response: "Who moved?"<BR/><BR/>He sits where he sits for he is in control. She slid to her side of the seat and lost the warmth and embrace. The relationship from her view....chilled. All she had to do was scoot back over and sit tight.<BR/><BR/>Same with our churches going extinct and boarding up.<BR/><BR/>God is in control and asks:<BR/>"Who moved?"<BR/>"You used to huddle and cuddle close to me and now you sit on the far end by satan"<BR/><BR/>He never withdrew protection.<BR/><BR/>They walked away.<BR/><BR/>They held socials and fundraisers instead of Bible explanations and making it come alive daily in sheep lives.<BR/><BR/>They kept everyone so busy at church that there was no time to build a family.<BR/><BR/>They marketed to sell, and the product was a church, not a Christ. <BR/><BR/>Success at marketing meant failure with Christ.<BR/><BR/>They spent time proclaiming profits, not prophets....and yielded neither.<BR/><BR/>As with the Pharisees, they will pound on the door of heaven proclaiming <BR/>"Lord Lord Let us in.<BR/>Don't you recognize us?"<BR/><BR/>He is quick to let them in on truth:<BR/>"GET AWAY from me!<BR/>I never knew you", and slams the door shut on them.<BR/><BR/>He is speaking to people who believe THEY are BELIEVERS (for they call him Lord). He never knew them.<BR/><BR/>Those are the churches being boarded as we speak. Not the denominations. The people who deceive themselves.<BR/><BR/>It could happen to Grace if you end the cozy seat next to Christ, and slide to the far end of the seat and find it chilly.<BR/><BR/>The sounding of that heavenly door closing forever is a Biblical promise. And it closes on folks who think they are a shoo-in to heaven.<BR/><BR/>Woe unto those who believe that. Micah 6:8 is a good start for the driver of the local church. Let the flock cuddle up from there.<BR/><BR/>You, Derek, are protected also with prayer. <BR/>Count on it.Danny Lucashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01731548467946648156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17400640.post-56148365368058713702008-07-08T21:28:00.000-04:002008-07-08T21:28:00.000-04:001) A loss of discontent2) A loss of learning3) A l...1) A loss of discontent<BR/>2) A loss of learning<BR/>3) A loss of ruthless accountability<BR/>4) Measuring the wrong outcomes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17400640.post-54224812412784111772008-07-08T16:11:00.000-04:002008-07-08T16:11:00.000-04:00My first thought is when they focus inward and not...My first thought is when they focus inward and not outward.<BR/><BR/>I've seen it happen too many times.<BR/><BR/>Great post and this is a great goal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17400640.post-52045985466247795712008-07-08T15:26:00.000-04:002008-07-08T15:26:00.000-04:00That I/we fall into the trap of following Jesus of...That I/we fall into the trap of following Jesus of America, rather than Yeshua of Nazareth. That I/we believe that a democrat or republican can represent the Kingdom of God. That I/we believe a social program can replace Jesus' call to His Church to see God in the poor and oppressed. That the leader's of the denominational churches would forget that they are to be speaking truth to THE Church (the beloved of Christ). That I/we would continue to believe that truth and beauty and the face of God only lies within the "christian" church.sojournhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10243493691300854869noreply@blogger.com