Why the Church is Dying

[Soulman]

Excellent points ScottJ. It's all Burger King theology out there. Have it your way. People have been unwilling to take God on His terms for decades. They want Tiny Tim Tiptoe thru the Tulips Jesus.

I agree there needs to be a revival of repentance. Peoples hearts have become so hard that most don't even recognise they are doing wrong. I have asked people point blank if they could admit they were sinners. You would be amazed at how many don't beleive they are.

The church is not dying but as in the days of Noah. We are preaching to deaf ears.

 

[Helen]

Scott and Soulman, I agree. As well as with some of the others. Those who truly have Christ in their hearts as born-again Christians are in love with Him. We have our problems as people, granted, but it is we who are the church, not necessarily the masses who attend this or that service in this or that building of this or that denomination.

Men's churches are just that: men's churches. (Include women...grin). The sad thing is that they carry Christ's name, as Christian -- but in vain. The preachers have been so brainwashed with liberal theology that, as has been stated, repentance and holy living are almost anathema to them!

That is, perhaps, now, as always before, the reason that our individual witness with our lives is the most valuable thing we can give the world. People will and do respond to the individual caring and answers to their questions. It is up to us, as followers of Christ, to know the Bible intimately so that we can give those answers with our lips as well as our lives.

 

[bruren777]

Re. Churches Dying,
At times people leave churches for various reasons, they think the pastor is not preaching the word as the Lord would have him preach, some feel he is cool toward them, others don't like the music, some have a problem with others in the church ect.

We have to be careful here as satan is the father of lies, he wants us to believe his lies.
The evil one can destroy churches thus churches begin to die. satan is the destroyer he knows that if he can plant his seeds of evil the church will die a slow death. We need to pray to God to help us defend our churches and bind satan.

satan knows his time is short and he is ramping up his attacks to ruin everything to discourage Christions. We need to put on the full armor of God to defend against stans fiery darts.

Keep praying for protection of the church.

 

[I hate sin]

Praise be unto God he has given us His word (or many of us would go mad); 2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Th 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first...

It is not going to get better; Let's praise God for revealing unto us His truth. And pray for ourselves and each other that we may be emptied of self that the power of Christ may rest upon us in the days ahead.

 

[dh1948]

Maybe it has something to do with God's declaration, "I will not share my glory with another." It is a sad thing to see the glory of God depart a church. Look around you. How many churches do you see where the glory of God is on display?

 

[blackbird]

The church is not in decline---people are in decline!

Folks! Its gonna come down to this---

In Revelation 3:4---this is what Jesus had to say about the church at Sardis! "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments."---this is the true church--those who have not defiled themselves---but are living in purity and obedience to their precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

A year ago--I was part of a "Preaching Tour" of the UK---here is what we found---the citizen's are living two lives---of ignorance and apathy!

Who is Jesus Christ??

I don't know and I don't care!!

But we did find a few who have not defiled their garments in London, in Birmingham, in Cardiff, in Ogmore-by-Sea---there's a few---but Jesus isn't comeing back for a "crowd"---He's coming back for those who's garments are not defiled!!! He's coming back for the "few"

 

[I hate sin]

blackbird

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The church is not in decline---people are in decline!
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It is sad but true, the leaven of Satan has filled many of today's churches. And sadly, many true saints are forced to withdraw themselves from entire flocks of people in whom they dearly love (2Th 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.) because today the way of truth is evil spoken of; (2Pe 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2Pe 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.)

2Th 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
2Th 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Th 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

 

[TexasSky]

I agree that the real church is the body of believers, and that isn't really dying, but I also believe that the majority of congregations world wide that profess to be Christian have left their first love of Christ to pursue more of a "Social Club" status than to pursue Christ.

When they speak of "the church dying" I think they mean "is organized religion becoming less Godly and more worldly." Given the headlines in the world, I have to say it is.

I also have noticed that when I was growing up, people had no problem looking at the message to the churches in Revelation and saying, "This could be us if we aren't careful. Let's make sure it doesn't happen," in reference to their own congregations. Lately, I've run into a few people who look at those verses and say, "Oh, those were only meant for the churches named."

They don't want to apply the lessons to their own congregation. They don't want to hear that God doesn't like lukewarm faith.

That concerns me.

 

[blackbird]

Me, too, TexasSky! Me, too!

 

[bruren777]

Re. my post on 7/31, First I agree with TexasSky posted today.Back to my post on 7/31, I reread this morning and I don't think I was clear, I should have summed it up as apathy. People become apathetic and blame it on some of the things I wrote about yesterday. At times there are internal problems in the church, instead of leaving it might be better to stay. As the church body comes together and prayerfully asks for Gods intervention to defeat satan and save the church.

I pray for a world wide revival such as has never been seen. If we call on God and praise Him, blessings will come.

My wife has a plaque which say's "when praises go up, blessings come down.

 

[I hate sin]

There is a wonderful book called "CHURCH MEMBERS WHO MAKE GOD SICK," by JOHN R RICE that would be great to read for Christians, but for leaders especially.

We must seek the Old Paths.

Brothers and sisters in Christ. I was sad and grieved tonight because of what I saw at a Baptist school performance night. There was no hymns, and the songs that were being played could not satisfy a thirsting soul like the hymns do. And most of the entertainment that was presented was not God related. And the way that some girls had dressed; tight shirts and high skirts; Stand up women of God, we need more teachers of good things.
We have to stand up in love for those who still may be reached. We are surrounded by a generation who know not the LORD. Many Christians today have the attitude of Cain; Gen 4:9b Am I my brother's keeper?
If we know of Christians erring, we should seek to convert them by praying for them. By speaking to them in love about the error of their way, or rebuking them, or by separating ourselves from them that they may be ashamed.
Those who are leading a church and agree with what I am writing. I hope the following is an encouragement to you; My church leader does 50 hours in a week lifting 27 kilogram boxes in a factory, 24 hours a week doing an aged care nursing course, street preaching once a week when the Lord wills, he is raising a family, writing doctrines for an email sendoff, and has church on Sundays, and the church Bible study each week. He has 5 hours sleep each night to do all this, because if he does not, he will miss out on his time with God. God is still the God of miracles. God's grace works mightily if we do things His way. This same man and his wife have also lost four children from a muscle disease in the past four years (one each year) and they are not insane. I bare witness that their marriage is the best I know of. He has been offered a church bought for him to shepherd (Independent Baptist), and has rejected an offer from another church also, because he does not want to lead a fellowship of believers that have to compromise with God's word. It is worth it. If you end up with a small fellowship of Daniels where you may not be paid, it is better than a fellowship with many tares?

 

[I hate sin]

oops.

There should not be a "?" on the end of that last sentence.

 

[IveyLeaguer]

Originally posted by Scott J:

The concept of repentance is barely recognized on the margin of "Christianity". Our society/culture has largely reached the point where people are so hardened to their own sin that they see no need for repentance. The concept of how grievous sin is to God and why that should leave us trembling in fear is alien to our modern, self-sufficient, self-absorbed, self-worshipping paradigm. This is true even within the church.

Very well said.

Of course the true church cannot 'die' in any real sense. But the problem of how to get Christians to see the effect present culture, with all its complexities, has on them is one that some are currently wrestling with, including me.

Another area is reaching the lost of this sophisticated, postmodern culture with the pure message of the gospel without compromising the LORD. I suspect this may be much easier than many think, perhaps as simple as taking responsiblity to ensure that the children in God's house are nutritiously fed to maturity, and do not starve at the Father's table.