What do you think about this statement: The bigger the church, the better the church? Where is this concept found in Scripture? Yes, churches are to be a place that welcomes all people because we’re all sinners. Yes, Jesus hung out with sinners. But he did not approve of or sugarcoat their sin; his primary message was “Repent.”
We’ve heard statements like these made by a growing number of professing Christians and church leaders lately – so does that alone make them correct statements? Are they dangerous platitudes that might sound good, but usher in a watered-down gospel and doctrine?
What about money and ministry? Is more money and bigger buildings always biblical?
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This morning we take a look at a couple of news stories and the varying perspectives of well-known pastors and what they believe about the condition of the Church: Andy Stanley and Michael Brown. In our first segment, we check in with Pastor Saiko Woods for his thoughts on these and other issues.
Pastor Andy Stanley Says Those Who Don’t Attend a Large Church are ‘Selfish’
Note: Stanley has edited his original message
Rebuttal Letter to Andy Stanley
Rick Warren and Emerging Mega Churches
Peter Drucker: Leadership Network and the Emergence of the Modern Mega Church Empire
Cotton Candy Christianity: Joel Osteen’s Gospel of Neutrality & Omission
Gullibility, the Great Sin of the Charismatic Church – Michael Brown
Yes Summer you would say that, sadly YOUR definition of love is not biblical, yours is worldly, licentious and in utter error. You go from thread to thread expounding homosexual marriage, calling followers of Jesus Christ bigots and narrow minded, I'm not fooled by you including yourself in that group as if it is ok to accept what you're doing as biblically sound, we all know that it's not. You twist scripture, you take passages out of context, your theology is false and corrupt and you are playing with fire my friend.
God is Love. Jesus Christ is Love. Jesus Christ commands us to LOVE God & to LOVE others. Not quite sure how the Love of Jesus Christ is "not biblical" sweety (?) I apologize if you felt that I was personally attacking you when I was commenting on this article titled "How Does The World See The 'Church.'" If the Holy Spirit convicted your heart about something, that has nothing to do with me hun. I did not have "Manny1962" on my mind when responding to this. Bless your heart {{{HUG}}} It's a bummer we cannot just have a cup of joe & share each of journey's we've been on with Jesus. Cast your cares & anxieties about this issue to HIM. Jesus is The Prince of Peace & He will comfort your heart & mind sweety =)
From what I see & hear from friends, family, television, social media & random strangers; the world currently views Christians as hateful, arrogant, apathetic, holier-than-thou, bigots & hypocrites. In 1 John 3:13 we are reminded “Do not be surprised if the world hates you.” But if Christians are being just as hateful as those in the world…..where is the Love of Jesus being displayed?? If anyone says “I love God”, yet hates his brother, he is a liar. (1 John 4:20) Why the heck would a sinner want to come to Christ if what they see in you & me is hateful, rude, bigoted & mean? Christians have forgotten that Salvation in Jesus Christ is FREE FOR ALL, without obligation or something we earn by any effort of our own. When anyone believes In Jesus Christ & receives forgiveness of sins thru His Name, we become a new creation. (Acts 10:43 & 2 Cor. 5:17) As disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is vitally important & urgent that we LOVE others without any if’s-and’s-or but’s. It is expected & required of all followers of Jesus Christ to LOVE others. This means everyone. Paul sternly says in Galatians 3:3 “Are you so foolish? After beginning with The Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?” Jesus Christ has shown us ONLY unconditional love, mercy & grace & we are to show the same unconditional love, mercy & grace towards others. Period. If Christians would remember this & apply it to our daily lives, then the lost will see Jesus in us & come to Him. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 1 Corinthians 13 is a good reminder that whatever we say, whatever we do; if we do not LOVE it all means nothing. AMEN!!
"If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. " John 15:19
The world hates God's true sheep, because we speak His truth in love. It is because we do love the lost that we proclaim truths found in His word, the command to repent, to forsake your sins and believe on the Lord. We tell sinners God forbids homosexuality and homosexual marriage. When Stephen spoke out against the sins of the people in Acts 7 how did they react? Did they embrace him and hug him? "Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth…. But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord;
and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul."
Sinners will either hate, falsely accuse, seek to attack and attempt to kill God's true sheep or they will fall on their knees and cry out "what must I do to be saved?!"
Your 'god' is pathetic, weak and a carbon copy of you Summer. You think you can continue on in your perversion and enter God's kingdom, but His word says otherwise – do read 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. You are a mockery to His word, and you will perish and face severe eternal wrath unless you cry out as the tax collector did, 'O God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'
How does the world see "the church." The world can only tolerate false and compromised Christianity, the Warrens, Osteens, Bells, Bickles of this day are the picture the world sees…..the "good" Christians, tolerant, permissive, non-theological, non-bible believing. The remnant, those that still hear and follow their Shepherd, well……we are intolerant, worship the God of the bible exclusively, proclaim His Son as the ONLY way to salvation, believe in the inerrancy of His words. Yes, we are hated, marginalized, prosecuted and persecuted. Even those that proclaim "Jesus" turn on us. The world does not see us! It blindingly hates us, like it did Jesus Christ. Paul said it best, we are persecuted for His name's sake everyday.
This sums everything up perfectly
I cannot see a difference between the world and the churches I have attended where I live. You are a divider if you believe the Gospel, the whole Gospel will draw sinners. I know the falling away is prophesied but it is sadder than sad we cannot worship the Savior in our churches without the "God is love message"pounded into a sinners mind instead of, we are sinners who rebelled against the Living God who created us and we need to Repent and ask for forgiveness so the God of all can come in and through His Holy Spirit, lead us to All truth, Jesus!!!
And help us to live a life that brings glory not shame to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Lord please use your real servants to see the lost in our individual lives come to,repentance and salvation. Amen