There is a very strong trend among believers these days of not needing to belong to a local fellowship of believers. They do not need a Pastor. They prefer to live independently and free of the commitments and responsibilities associated with a local church.
At the same time, sadly, many churches are not meeting the needs of the people; feeding them good spiritual food from the word of God, encouraging, equipping, challenging them and giving them opportunities for ministry.
The answer is not abandoning the Church, it is to revitalize the church. One of the greatest reasons our society is in such chaos is the Church is not leading with a clear message and actions that affirm the Love and power of almighty God in Jesus Christ
I here the word "Gospel" referenced very often in religious conversations by different church leaders. But is it the Gospel of Jesus they are speaking of?
Paul wrote
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
This term salvation is referring to a life changing experience. One that causes people think differently, act differently, live differently. The very core of their being is changed to have Godly desires and attitudes of Love, peace, joy hope patience and kindness regardless of what the circumstance. It brings a common bond a family.
Yes, it can and many time does change their physical condition also. But the heart change is the message and power of the Gospel. It is an experience that opens one to truly realize eternity with Jesus beginning now today.
1Co 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1Co 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
The world will try to suppress this and stop this and crush those that carry this Gospel message but we must stay strong and united working together to continually present this message of power with power to our communities
Which brings me to Hebrews 10
Heb 10:21-24 and since we have a great priest over the house, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
The writer of Hebrews is encouraging us to keep close to our High priest, stay strong in faith, give no place to condemnation or act that would cause condemnation.
Hold strongly and do not let go of our Hope in Jesus and speaking about it. Do not waver.
Wavering is feeling strong one moment weak the next. We are to be consistently strong.
He goes on to say we need to watch over one another and encourage each other to stay in the right heart attitude of Love and the activities and action that continually promote this Message of Love, the Gospel.
How do we do this?
Heb 10:25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
This is an essential part of a local fellowship of believers. Generally referred to as the local church.
Can a believer live independent of a local fellowship without a Pastor, yes I suppose but will they fully experience and fulfill all God has for them I doubt it. Will the Church do as well in reaching our community I doubt it.
the Church needs to stay on message and do what we have been commissioned to do with every believer finding and fulfilling their part so as Paul said
Eph 4:15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
Eph 4:16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
At the same time, sadly, many churches are not meeting the needs of the people; feeding them good spiritual food from the word of God, encouraging, equipping, challenging them and giving them opportunities for ministry.
The answer is not abandoning the Church, it is to revitalize the church. One of the greatest reasons our society is in such chaos is the Church is not leading with a clear message and actions that affirm the Love and power of almighty God in Jesus Christ
I here the word "Gospel" referenced very often in religious conversations by different church leaders. But is it the Gospel of Jesus they are speaking of?
Paul wrote
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
This term salvation is referring to a life changing experience. One that causes people think differently, act differently, live differently. The very core of their being is changed to have Godly desires and attitudes of Love, peace, joy hope patience and kindness regardless of what the circumstance. It brings a common bond a family.
Yes, it can and many time does change their physical condition also. But the heart change is the message and power of the Gospel. It is an experience that opens one to truly realize eternity with Jesus beginning now today.
1Co 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1Co 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
The world will try to suppress this and stop this and crush those that carry this Gospel message but we must stay strong and united working together to continually present this message of power with power to our communities
Which brings me to Hebrews 10
Heb 10:21-24 and since we have a great priest over the house, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
The writer of Hebrews is encouraging us to keep close to our High priest, stay strong in faith, give no place to condemnation or act that would cause condemnation.
Hold strongly and do not let go of our Hope in Jesus and speaking about it. Do not waver.
Wavering is feeling strong one moment weak the next. We are to be consistently strong.
He goes on to say we need to watch over one another and encourage each other to stay in the right heart attitude of Love and the activities and action that continually promote this Message of Love, the Gospel.
How do we do this?
Heb 10:25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
This is an essential part of a local fellowship of believers. Generally referred to as the local church.
Can a believer live independent of a local fellowship without a Pastor, yes I suppose but will they fully experience and fulfill all God has for them I doubt it. Will the Church do as well in reaching our community I doubt it.
the Church needs to stay on message and do what we have been commissioned to do with every believer finding and fulfilling their part so as Paul said
Eph 4:15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,
Eph 4:16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
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