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Post by Rhema Seeker (Guy) on Jan 24, 2009 21:00:45 GMT -5
I have had no fellowship for the last 4 months now. I was in fellowship with a church (assembly) about 50 miles from home. I attended this church for about a year. I fellow shipped with them for about 10 years and moved away for about 5 years and went back about a year ago.
Well, in August I ministered to the church on reaching the lost with the the Gospel of REPENTANCE. I argued the fact that no person can come to CHRIST without acknowledging their sin and repenting of it.
I felt the LORD wanted me to express a concern on the watered down preaching of the church in this country, and to use an example of one of the songs that many churches sing which is, "COME AS YOU ARE".
Well guess what was the first song that was sang during our worship time ? It was this one particular song, "COME AS YOU ARE". When they began singing this song I began to contemplate in my mind if I was going to use this in my sermon. And I really felt that THE LORD telling me it was not my sermon but HIS and that I should not back down. So I did use this in the sermon when I ministered. I can see that many were uncomfortable at this.
Well guess what, the pastor who has been a friend of mine for 18 + years. Actually we were saved at the same altar call around same time and both called in ministry at same time. He too was offended at my ministering, and kinda let me know that I would not be ministering behind his pulpit too soon.
I left the fellowship at the end of September.
My question to you guys, is did I do wrong here? I brought them through the scriptures pointing them that repentance must take place before forgiveness and salvation can take place. But now It seems I am being punished for doing so. Like I said, I have had no fellowship in 4 months now and very concerned about this. I cannot find any other Christians with same convictions around here.
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Post by Kerrigan on Jan 25, 2009 14:25:39 GMT -5
Hey brother. I don't think that you did anything wrong when you preached the truth. The fact is that when you preach the truth, many will get very offended. Often times it doesn't even matter if you preach it in a way of rebuking or if you preach it tenderly. You will get the same response both ways in my experience. The only difference will be in the intensity of the response. In other words, people who are going to reject it would have rejected it either way, but if you are rebuking them they may get visibly mad where if you are tenderly telling them the truth they may just get mad quietly.
A similar situation to yours happen to in March 2007. I was the Associate Pastor of a Nazarene Church in Raleigh, NC. The Pastor was going away for a week or so and asked me to fill-in and preach. I broke my leg about a week before I was scheduled to preach. I wasn't able to be at the Church meeting place the week before, so I had no idea what the order of service would be, etc. I really sought the Lord in prayer the week before as I was laid up in bed. I wrote down that the Lord wanted me to talk about raising money to do mission trips overseas and not reaching out to people in our own community. Well, right before I got up to preach that morning, they did a skit about golfing as a fundraiser for a mission trip to Africa. I didn't hold back as I believe that the Lord gave me the Word.
It turns out that many people got very angry about my message. There were a few that walked out during it and most had their arms crossed and a deer in headlights look on their faces. There were some who liked it and even one youth who got soundly saved. BUT, I got a lot of flack for the sermon as a whole. Shortly after, I was let go as Associate Pastor. I really think that sermon had something to do with it. People were saying that if they heard that I was going to be preaching that they wouldn't show up or would walk out during the sermon. He got lots of emails, voicemails, etc.
As far as the fellowship is concerned, just keep praying and seeking for it. Maybe look for a local home fellowship. At the least, I would go from local Church to local Church trying to minister to the people at those local Churches as well as the Pastors. With John and family leaving for Kentucky, I will probably be doing the same. Jesse's family and my family will still fellowship at times, but I will just continue teaching my family the Word of God, praying, etc. Hope that helps brother. God Bless...
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Post by Jesse Morrell on Jan 25, 2009 14:31:14 GMT -5
The concept, "God accepts you as you are" definitely needs to be confronted and corrected. But this no doubt will put you at odds with many who believe and teach this false teaching.
Many people believe that you repent of your sins AFTER you get saved. But the Bible says you must repent of your sins BEFORE God will forgive you.
"Sinners cannot do anything to be saved" equally needs to be confronted and corrected. Sinners can do something to be saved, they can repent of their sins and believe the Gospel.
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Post by gordonmike on Feb 8, 2009 9:04:32 GMT -5
Quit lying to these people, Jesse. Hypocrite. Your argument is idiotic, but then what do you expect when it comes form an idiot.
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Post by messengermicah on Feb 11, 2009 10:19:30 GMT -5
rhemaseeker,
Sorry it took so long to respond. I could not get on this site for several weeks in the area where I was at.
I think you absolutely did the right thing and nothing wrong. It sounds like you were wanting to please the Lord and not preach out of spite, etc.
I had the same problem when I lived in Miami. When I began open air preaching combined with believing in living a life free of all sin we had a hard time finding much fellowship.
At that time I had no desire to start a church or be a pastor but we had a good solid group of families who regularly preached together and believed similiarly. Since there was no church I would want to recommend sinners to go to, I prayed and sought the Lord about beginning a new work in the area.
Our group met together to pray and study the Bible on a weekly basis for some time but some in the group were not ready to try to step out and try starting a new work.
Shortly after that I sold my house and went on the road.
If you absolutely cannot find any churches where you can fellowship I would seek the Lord about starting a fellowship in your area that emphasizes what you believe.
A young man who was converted under our preaching searched and searched for a long time for churches where he could fellowship but found none.
He has started a Bible study and now has I think 10-12 people going on a regular basis.
Even if you are not called to pastor you could pioneer the Bible study and once the group is settled pray and seek the Lord about who the Lord would have from the group be the pastor.
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Post by fs on Feb 11, 2009 11:04:12 GMT -5
This is good advice for once. It never fails that when I am furious with you, some thing else comes to negate it.
Since my call is to witness I believe to the gay and lesbian or bi community that I was once a member of and I feel I can reach this audience where frankly, you all cannot due to delivery (Tes, yes, let us NOT get into that for a moment). Why not start such a Bible study and use it to confront, but not as conversationally as you, these lost people?) I think Spoons Ice Cream, where I am allowed to put out tracts, might well house such a bible study at one of their tables, where I could set this up and take whoever the Lord directs my way.
Though not directed to me, this idea carries over. It is a work of genius you have inspired here, Micah.
Praise God for you.
I am going to work on this now.
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Post by John McGlone on Feb 11, 2009 14:57:10 GMT -5
You did great brother Rhema! Keep up the great work in the Lord. Many have been forsaken by friends and family at the fire of God's Words.
My pastor for 10 years could not explain 2 Cor 7:10 to me, can any in these lukewarm churches?
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oaora
Full Member
Posts: 159
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Post by oaora on Feb 11, 2009 16:27:25 GMT -5
I have had no fellowship for the last 4 months now. I was in fellowship with a church (assembly) about 50 miles from home. I attended this church for about a year. I fellow shipped with them for about 10 years and moved away for about 5 years and went back about a year ago. Well, in August I ministered to the church on reaching the lost with the the Gospel of REPENTANCE. I argued the fact that no person can come to CHRIST without acknowledging their sin and repenting of it. I felt the LORD wanted me to express a concern on the watered down preaching of the church in this country, and to use an example of one of the songs that many churches sing which is, "COME AS YOU ARE". Well guess what was the first song that was sang during our worship time ? It was this one particular song, "COME AS YOU ARE". When they began singing this song I began to contemplate in my mind if I was going to use this in my sermon. And I really felt that THE LORD telling me it was not my sermon but HIS and that I should not back down. So I did use this in the sermon when I ministered. I can see that many were uncomfortable at this. Well guess what, the pastor who has been a friend of mine for 18 + years. Actually we were saved at the same altar call around same time and both called in ministry at same time. He too was offended at my ministering, and kinda let me know that I would not be ministering behind his pulpit too soon. I left the fellowship at the end of September. My question to you guys, is did I do wrong here? I brought them through the scriptures pointing them that repentance must take place before forgiveness and salvation can take place. But now It seems I am being punished for doing so. Like I said, I have had no fellowship in 4 months now and very concerned about this. I cannot find any other Christians with same convictions around here. I disagree with you guys here. Jesus does accept you as you are. We don't have to go and clean up first. But I do agree that we must repent in order to be saved. Repenting meaning a change of mind that causes an action. This may surprise you but I have the same issues. I've been through 3 Baptist Churches now and the one I currently attend preaches a watered down version....where they say just believe. We all know that you must have a broken sorrowful heart to be saved. My advice and please take it with the intention that I meant while giving it. Is to concentrate on the truth of God's Word.....don't over do it. But don't under do it either. Do you follow me? I think you should go to Church for the fellowship. Find your own ministry outside of the Church. Just don't quit....keep on moving. I know I'm not one of these guys you mentioned....but what the heck??
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Post by judgment on Feb 11, 2009 16:45:22 GMT -5
Some of you street preachers will face judgment alright.
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Post by Rhema Seeker (Guy) on Feb 11, 2009 20:18:30 GMT -5
rhemaseeker, Sorry it took so long to respond. I could not get on this site for several weeks in the area where I was at. I think you absolutely did the right thing and nothing wrong. It sounds like you were wanting to please the Lord and not preach out of spite, etc. I had the same problem when I lived in Miami. When I began open air preaching combined with believing in living a life free of all sin we had a hard time finding much fellowship. At that time I had no desire to start a church or be a pastor but we had a good solid group of families who regularly preached together and believed similiarly. Since there was no church I would want to recommend sinners to go to, I prayed and sought the Lord about beginning a new work in the area. Our group met together to pray and study the Bible on a weekly basis for some time but some in the group were not ready to try to step out and try starting a new work. Shortly after that I sold my house and went on the road. If you absolutely cannot find any churches where you can fellowship I would seek the Lord about starting a fellowship in your area that emphasizes what you believe. A young man who was converted under our preaching searched and searched for a long time for churches where he could fellowship but found none. He has started a Bible study and now has I think 10-12 people going on a regular basis. Even if you are not called to pastor you could pioneer the Bible study and once the group is settled pray and seek the Lord about who the Lord would have from the group be the pastor. I came back to this city about 5 years ago believing the LORD called me back to start a work. One exactly what you suggested. That is start a BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP and pray God send a person with a pastors heart to take over later. I actually did this in the past with a small fellowship 50 mile north of here. But after the pastor had taken over, they got into this error of reaching the lost without preaching repentance.
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Post by bullhornbob on Feb 11, 2009 23:53:41 GMT -5
rhemaseeker, I will be in New Orleans for mardigras starting next thursday through ash wednesday. I would love to meet you and pray/study/preach/fellowship with you. I will be with a very large group of streetpreachers from all over the world. You are more than welcome to join us anytime. Email me so we can contact by cell phone: preacherjk@gmail.comAnd I commend you for preaching the truth. Always preach the truth. At any cost. Brother JK
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Post by fred on Feb 14, 2009 23:49:32 GMT -5
Baptists are sometimes weak on the gospel as their goal seems to get sinners to make a commitment to Christ and give little follow up. That is why I left the church for a different one,.
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Post by boldforchrist on Mar 6, 2009 18:16:31 GMT -5
well, you read my blog, so you know how I feel about this "cotton candy gospel". You will be persecuted for preaching the one true Gospel! We have enough "people pleasing preachers" already.
If you are truly willing to pick up your cross and follow Him. You will suffer. You will be hated, by strangers, friends and even family. You will be an outcast in your town. Your lifelong friends will avoid you like a leper. People will look at your life under a magnifying glass. They will hope for you to stumble. They will attack you anywhere and everywhere for no other reason but that you awakened their conscience and it was not ready to get up. Pastors from other churches will make fun of you.
But, after all this and more, tell me honestly, can you think of any other calling so great? If the whole world hates you and only the Lord alone loves you, Will it be worth it? YES!
I would like to see you start your own church, don't let anyone tell you you can't do it. You can. Get a few people who believe like you do and just do it. This is what we need more than just about anything in this country. People like you who are not afraid to step out in faith and do what The Lord is calling us to do. I doubt if He is happy with the way our churches are watering down the Gospel. I feel He is wanting new churches, churches that preach the real Gospel, churches that are effective in proclaiming the truth of Jesus Christ.
There are more people on this board who could do the same thing. What if more of us stepped out in faith and served Him with the fire He wants us to? One small church here, one there, all over the country and all preaching and teaching the truth, reaching out to those about to perish!
Don't use money as a excuse, the Lord will provide. Give it some serious thought. I am telling you, this is what we need now.
You are where you are for a reason my friend. Think about it.
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Post by Rhema Seeker (Guy) on Mar 6, 2009 19:48:09 GMT -5
I am surely seeking the FACE of GOD for this. The only problem here is finding like minded people who has not been diseased by this false message of the SUGAR COATED GOSPEL. Or Catholicism which is the primary religion here. What strikes me even more so is how the Protestant churches here has accepted the catholic church as their brothers.
I am in the process of making video disc tracts and hitting the streets here. I have done so years ago in the past, and the truth be known after being rebuked by so called christian brothers for doing so; supposedly making them look bad as a christian; I slacked in doing open air preaching.
But I really feel I must do this, although I am very fearful for doing so even after doing it in the past for many years. A spirit of fear has come upon me.
It Was one of the avenues that drew me to CHRIST was when someone walked into my place of business and gave me a couple of Gospel Tracts. It was a PASTOR FROM A CHURCH CALLED GRACE BIBLE CHURCH here in a small town in Louisiana. I still have those 2 tracts which I received about 15 to16 years ago. So I know open witnessing with tracts works, it did for me.
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