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Church or Jesus?


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#1 JimmyS

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Posted 13 February 2012 - 10:40 PM

I remember when I first came to Jesus when I was 16. I loved Him so much, and I tried to do everything I could for Him, and I didn't worry about who was watching or what someone was going to say about it. I shared Jesus with everyone, and I prayed and sang to him everyday. The bible was brand new to me, and I couldn't get enough of it.

Times changed though, and I got wrapped up in church. I got wrapped up in what ministry I would be a part of, and who I would be friends with. I got wrapped up in which songs we would sing, and what message I would hear. I see it, we all here in America have become like this. WE are obsessed with how other people are living their lives, and which teaching we will believe. Who will be at church today? What kind of programs for my kids? What is the latest christian book you are reading? Have we become nothing more than a social club. I am not trying to say I am okay, God knows I see this and I am just as stuck.

What about Jesus? What about brotherly love? I think we are burned out and need a refreshing from the Lord. There are a few things I see though. So many people think that this is all there is, and that our calling is to meet on Sundays, and warm a pew. Jesus wants to fill us with His spirit. He doesn't need volunteers, He needs people who love Him and want to see Him move. WE have become comfortable with the ways we do things and forgotten that his ways are not our ways. I am not trying to guilt anyone, I am just realizing that we are in a famine spiritually, and that we need the presence of God!
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#2 Joan Phillips

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Posted 14 February 2012 - 01:04 PM

Jimmy,
I like your thoughts, and I have had the same thoughts, as well. Last week at church, I was thinking, what if we didn't have an overhead projector (or laptop), no sound system, no instruments. Would we make a joyful noise unto the Lord? Or would we be so reserved and "self"-conscious that we would sit by quietly?

I read a story this morning that will post by Friday on our Web site about a people group that recently had Scripture translated into their "heart" language. There was such a celebration - about 5,000 people singing and dancing for joy as they held up their new Bibles! Oh that American believers would have such uninhibited joy!

#3 JimmyS

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Posted 14 February 2012 - 04:35 PM

Jimmy,
I like your thoughts, and I have had the same thoughts, as well. Last week at church, I was thinking, what if we didn't have an overhead projector (or laptop), no sound system, no instruments. Would we make a joyful noise unto the Lord? Or would we be so reserved and "self"-conscious that we would sit by quietly?

I read a story this morning that will post by Friday on our Web site about a people group that recently had Scripture translated into their "heart" language. There was such a celebration - about 5,000 people singing and dancing for joy as they held up their new Bibles! Oh that American believers would have such uninhibited joy!

Awesome I look forward to seeing that!

#4 Brian Elmer

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Posted 26 March 2012 - 04:51 PM

As Peter says in 1&2 Peter, we must keep the focus of the grace and knowledge of Christ. Not just "learning church or about Jesus", but knowing Jesus. As AB Simpson modeled for us: Jesus Only. In 2 Peter 1:1-11 Peter reminds us of who we are as believers. We have EVERYTHING we need in Him to be a vibrant, fruitful follower. Most of us have gotten caught up in the western church model - consumer-driven; keeping the customer. It's empty and man-driven. Sad thing most churches can "do" church these days. The missing link? The truth of the Word, prayer, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Take time to refresh yourself with Simpson's writings, or maybe a modern day equivalent, Jim Cymbala. Reflect on his writings and fruit. You can't deny the work of God at the Brooklyn Tab.
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#5 elizabethcog

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Posted 20 May 2012 - 03:39 AM

I remember when I first came to Jesus when I was 16. I loved Him so much, and I tried to do everything I could for Him, and I didn't worry about who was watching or what someone was going to say about it. I shared Jesus with everyone, and I prayed and sang to him everyday. The bible was brand new to me, and I couldn't get enough of it.

Times changed though, and I got wrapped up in church. I got wrapped up in what ministry I would be a part of, and who I would be friends with. I got wrapped up in which songs we would sing, and what message I would hear. I see it, we all here in America have become like this. WE are obsessed with how other people are living their lives, and which teaching we will believe. Who will be at church today? What kind of programs for my kids? What is the latest christian book you are reading? Have we become nothing more than a social club. I am not trying to say I am okay, God knows I see this and I am just as stuck.

What about Jesus? What about brotherly love? I think we are burned out and need a refreshing from the Lord. There are a few things I see though. So many people think that this is all there is, and that our calling is to meet on Sundays, and warm a pew. Jesus wants to fill us with His spirit. He doesn't need volunteers, He needs people who love Him and want to see Him move. WE have become comfortable with the ways we do things and forgotten that his ways are not our ways. I am not trying to guilt anyone, I am just realizing that we are in a famine spiritually, and that we need the presence of God!

Amen,I too have some of the same issues and recently God has put on my heart just to stop all this trying and really let him, he really will work it all out and his way is far better than anything my little self could come up with.I don't know where he'll lead me but I know he will lead me.....good enough!God bless and thanks for being real=)
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Jesus and Jesus alone saves=D

#6 Joel Stoddert

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Posted 23 May 2012 - 03:57 PM

I agree with much of what's been said on this thread about the state of the Church in America and the need for spiritual renweal in our churches. But I'm also concerned with some of the thinking which seems to be behind much of what's said in threads like this one--& I've seen several in recent months. The basic thought seems to be, "Why can't it be just Jesus and me?" It may take less commitment, & frankly less patience with others--to be a Lone Ranger Christian, but true Christianity is more messy than that. The Bible says we, all believers, are part of the Body of Christ, his Church. Yes, some members of the Body can be jerks sometimes. Some don't live as they should much of the time. Yes, there is all too often an apathetic response to opportunities for Bible study and prayer together. Yes, giving often amounts more to tipping than tithing. Add in nominalism and legalism and other problems, some rampant, & it's all too obvious that the Church here in America (or anywhere else) has problems--but it's still our Family. As a young Christian, the first time I had those "what's wrong with the Church?" feelings myself, my wise pastor agreed with me concerning the problems I saw, but said, "But don't leave and go search for a perfect church." He quipped, "If you find it & join, you'll ruin it!" Dick was right. And in the 35 years since, I've seen more churches harmed by people leaving--or staying, in some cases, who simply could not accept a body which didn't meet their idealized version of what the Body of Christ is supposed to look like in this sin-marred world. Keep those spiritual fires burning brightly. Stay close to--or return to--your First Love. Pray and work for revival, beginning within. But do it as a part of the earthly Body of Christ, "warts and all."
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#7 chipped china

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Posted 24 May 2012 - 01:36 AM

I agree, guilty as charged! I don't really know what to do about it except trust God that He has me where He wants me right now. Whether in revelation or discipline the Lord is dealing with me. I pray as the days go on there is less of me and more of Him. Thanks for the encouragement.
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#8 tammyshalom

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Posted 30 May 2012 - 05:56 PM

i think this topic is a good one... we can all get caught up in our worldly things worshiping the created instead of the creator... it all boils down to how deep is our relationship with Christ?? our love for Him for who He is and not for only what He does!! these of coarse are things we will work on until we go to heaven. but we all could do a much better job!! the more we focus on Jesus - the more we see things Gods way... and we won't pay attention to some of the things we do now... let's all start today let's all start reading His word more and praying more and making more friends with people who are a good influence on our lives -- let's move closer to our savior- for it's never Him that moves far away - it is us!! God Bless everyone -- tammy
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#9 Pastor Robert Young

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Posted 13 April 2013 - 08:01 AM

Church or Jesus... wow.. what a choice...or can we really make that choice.. the church.. ekklesia..called out ones... the Body of Christ. All those who are truly saved and indwelt by the Holy Spirit are the church in its complete sense. But then there is and are the local bodies which represent the whole. The phrase "Grow where you are planted" is a truism which needs to be applied to each of us. If I am faithful in my following Jesus and obedient to His word "...forget not the assembling of yourselves together.." Then wherever I am living I find a place I can worship and serve with my fellow brothers and sisters. This is the forum in which the gifts are imparted and used, this is the forum in which service to one another and edifying one another and loving one another is observed by unbelievers so they can see what they are missing. It is also the place in which we are protected from Satan's power to attack and make us ineffective. there are times and situations where we are forced to go it without the body with us, but those are not the norm and we need to do our best to make a difference in this world and that is done through the church. The power of the holy Spirit is seen through the church, the power of healing is seen through the church, and the church was God's idea not ours. so just because it has lost its luster let us not abandon her..she is the bride of Christ. Lets make Her worthy of the Bridegroom who is coming soon.
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#10 Kenny

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Posted 13 April 2013 - 04:35 PM

I remember when I first came to Jesus when I was 16. I loved Him so much, and I tried to do everything I could for Him, and I didn't worry about who was watching or what someone was going to say about it. I shared Jesus with everyone, and I prayed and sang to him everyday. The bible was brand new to me, and I couldn't get enough of it.
WE are obsessed with how other people are living their lives, and which teaching we will believe. Who will be at church today? What kind of programs for my kids? What is the latest christian book you are reading? Have we become nothing more than a social club. I am not trying to say I am okay, God knows I see this and I am just as stuck.

What about Jesus? What about brotherly love? I think we are burned out and need a refreshing from the Lord.


I have felt like that in the past. In this fast paced world with all it's activity and business, we don't find the time to be still and hear the still small voice of God. I have developed a habit to combat the feeling that God seems far away. I get up about an hour earlier than necessary each morning and start my day with God. I go into my prayer closet and pray that God will speak to me and then I open my Bible in the silence of the morning before all the business starts. There are no sounds, no honking horns, no sound of cars, or kids. Just me and God. It's during this time that God speaks to me through prayer and meditating upon His word. God fills me with His presence and joy during this time. The joy of God's presence I receive during this time spent alone with God is more precious than any time I ever spend in Church. Even Jesus went to be alone with His Father and spend time with Him. I am not saying Church isn't important. I'm only saying that my joy comes from God alone, and is not dependent upon people at Church. I do however love Church and worshipping God through songs of praise, as well as having fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ. They are a very important part of my life. But for me, nothing can compare to the time I spend alone with God in the quiet early morning hours when I have one on one communion with Him.
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