Can't Take Much More!

Brothers and Sisters,

I am feeling discouraged about the Church I attend. The pastors and congregation are heavily influenced by Toronto Airport and Purpose Driven stuff. There are also a number of attendees who are into the Prosperity Gospel. I just have a hard time with the way the worship is conducted and the messages are not convicting.

On the Christmas Eve service, my pastor showed a clip of Mr. Bean playing with the nativity scene and a clip of Judy Garland singing a song. There were Christmas carols in between this stuff. I actually wasn't in attendance that evening, and I am glad I wasn't.

I feel like nobody knows what I am talking about there, when I talk about holiness and being seperate from the world. They nod and smile, but I can tell they don't truly understand.

I love my pastor dearly and many of the people there, but I wonder if I should move on or stick around. There aren't any other churches around my area that are any better. I am struggling!

Murray

As the old cliché goes, “No church is perfect …” No matter how good or healthy a church is, there will always be imperfections, because the humans who lead it and attend it are imperfect.

The church is split. Almost every opinion, no matter how right or wrong, is guaranteed to cause division. All the weighty, spiritual qualities like faith, patience, meekness, common courtesy and brotherly-love are somehow set aside when a difference of opinion arises. Instead, arguments rage, suspicion and slander take over and separations inevitably follow. Oh yes, the church is split into hundreds - yea thousands - of groups.

I am looking for a Church home now I am looking for a small neighborhood or even home church tired of the big ones, just looking for a more hands on Church the big Churches can't hardly offer this, but I know even if I find one I Love, there will be things I don't agree with so what do you do, I tell you go there for the message and forget all the other stuff I guess.

This quote from Tozer may help...
"When confused sheep start over a cliff the individual sheep can save himself only by separating from the flock. Perfect unity at such a time can only mean total destruction for all. The wise sheep to save his own hide disaffiliates. Power lies in the union of things similar and the division of things dissimilar. Maybe what we need in religious circles today is not more union but some wise and courageous division. Everyone desires peace but it could be that revival will follow the sword." -A.W. Tozer
Perhaps it's time to pray about opening your home up to meetings, or finding like minded folks. Also there is nothing wrong with being alone for a bit(notice I said a bit), but I believe it will get harder and harder to find true fellowship as the days grow darker, as it is written.
I understand exactly where you're coming from though brother, and it is important that we do not equate our fellowship with Christ with or without attendance to a building! The church is people not a structure, so maybe you and your wife could be your meeting, and you would have church!!! Novel idea I know, but if two or more are gathered in His name, He is in the midst of them.
Be encouraged, and press into God as never before.

Dear Murray,

I would venture to say that you are surely not alone in your plight. After 30 years of being born again I too have felt the same. I have come to understand that nothing is wasted in the Lord. Duncan Campbell says this is just a dressing room for eternity, that's all it is. The difficult circumstances in our lives are purposefully designed to make us more like Him.

It causes us to cry out more and to come to a greater understanding of what we really want. Will we stay the course or compromise to have fellowship? Can we still love the people that don't have a clue? Do we understand that He who began a good work, in even them, will complete the work in His time? Are we willing to judge nothing before the time?

Truly God gives grace to the humble and these situations, at least in my life, show me what is in my heart. We are all in the process of being change from glory to glory into His image, but we are all in different degrees of shaping. God doesn't want us discouraged. We must encourage ourselves in the Lord.

If we focus on the condition of the body, or church we will be discouraged. I feel the same as you. I hate the prosperity doctrine and all the other stuff that takes the focus off the main event. But if we focus on Him we will be able to walk this life unscathed. God will provide us with fellowship, maybe my means such as this forum. Even Elijah got discouraged, but God showed him there were 7000 that had not bowed the knee to Baal.

I am convinced that behind the scenes away from the natural eye God is preparing a Bride for Himself without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. We must believe that it will manifest His glory in His perfect time. Until that time we must learn to be content.

Also go the way of peace. As you seek Him He will most certainly tell you where He wants you to be. You will hear a voice behind you saying this is the way walk ye in it. The steps on a righteous man are ordered of the Lord.

Again focus on Jesus, seek His face, study His word, worship with all your heart and the world around you will be more bareable. His grace is sufficient.

God bless

Amen to all of that, Thank You.

Murray

Get out of there brother.

Why did Lot find himself continuously vexed?

He went for what he thought were greener pastures.

Psalm 1:1 say's it all "blessed...those that do not walk...stand...sit...?"

Dont walk toward them,

or

you'll be standing with them (where you are)

next, before destruction, you be sitting with them, Lot sat in the gate (was in leadership) So flee from whatever carrot is keeping you there. Before you are an elder, and accountable, not only those that do such things but those who approve of them that do them.

Dear brother,
I believe that those living in the last days are witnessing a great falling away in the "church". This is a time where the Holy Spirit is grieved and the sheep not familiar with much Scripture, and other reasons of course, will be confused.
Dear brother, I do not know what the Lord is leading you to do at this time, so i will not say, "do this, or that." I do, however, have a few suggestions I think may help and bless you...
First, spend much time in prayer...more than before brother. Make a diligent effort to spend more time with God seeking "His" will for your life concerning this matter you have posted. During this time of praying and seeking remain faithful to Him. Believe that God will see you through this time and answer your prayer in a way that is pleasing to Him. Lean on Him more, trust in Him more.
Next, whatever movements your "church" is involving themselves in...Purpose-driven, Laughing revival, etc, learn as much as you can about these movements with the help of ministries who have done much research concerning them. There are many Discernment ministries out there like intotruth.org, vcyamerica.org, sliceoflaodicea.com, crosstalkamerica.com and of course erwm.com. They have spent thousands of hours exposing new-age church heresies so you and I can benefit and not be led astray into doctrines of devils. Know your enemy.
Finally, I would suggest reading God's Word more than ever before. Get familiar with the King James Bible, and begin memorizing more Scripture using 3x5 cue-cards etc. The Scripture is your sword and you must practice using it as the Spirit leads you. Learn much about your armour of Light, for without it you are defense-less.
This very brief recommendation is written only to you for three reasons:
a) To draw you closer to God in these last days, and that you pray in faith to become filled with the Holy Ghost
b) To suggest that you use the that part of the Body Of Christ that will help you become more familiar with false teaching in the churches you will attend so that you will only be influenced by God and His Body, not destructive heresies...and
c) That you will familiarize yourself more with the Word of God and His precious promises that will help you as you war against the powers of darkness and their "religious" doctrines of devils.
Be filled with the Spirit brother, for we cannot have victory over spiritual battles if we fight in the flesh. God as given us everything we need, but we must learn how to use what He has given us. To Him be the glory :-D
"How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after there own ungodly lusts. These be they who seperate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling , and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen." - Jude 18-25 (kjv)
Let us press on to what lies ahead...Let us press on in Christ Jesus.
An undeserving brother,
richie

your concerns are valid...seek the Lord!

but, with that said, let me caution you (and us all) not to let the spirit of pride take hold of our hearts.

do you ever get that wierd feeling that when you are in a crowd of christians you are the only one who realy loves God and that no-one is desiring Holiness and truth but you.....if so you'r heart is not perfect before the Lord.

the church is full of problems (and some problems are worth leaving over) but if we don't gaurd our hearts we can become part of the problem instead of the solution.

it's very subtle but none-the-less destructive when we look at everyone elses sins and let that knowledge empower our pride and we feel we are more spiritual then them.

when you see a brother caught up in a fault test your spirituality by asking ..."is my response to restore in love or compare, judge and gossip...and cut and run without first seeking God in an attempt to restore?"
God bless
Happy New Year!

Searchin,

This is not a cut and run situation, I have been going to this Church for five years.

I can see how my initial post could be taken as prideful. I get it, they don't, kinda of a thing. I wouldn't get it either if I hadn't heard Leonard Ravenhill, Keith Daniel or Paul Washer. I was right there with them, reading Purpose Driven Life, TACF magazines and watching Kenneth Copeland. Thank God for his voice and his word, that I got some discernment.

The problem with the false gospel is that it sounds like the truth. They use scripture to back up their points(not in context usually). They profess to love Jesus with all their hearts. Their gospel scratches itching ears because it doesn't require much(no repentance) and promises to give you much(worldly wealth, perfect health).

I am telling you this with a heavy heart. It scares me that this stuff has so many people deceived. This deceived people aren't faceless people, they are people I love.

Murray

bro Murray
there is a thread here in which sis Tina (Tinluke) shared some things about her experience at church. that thread is called today at church and is in the lounge if our Lord leads you to check it out.

it seems you see already the ills, perhaps our Lord means for you to make an impact and turn things around by His grace. how will our brethren know the truth unless someone tells them? i pray God's grace on you in this time that He may use you to affect change at your church. AMEN. i would ask the same of you all.

I like this thread.

Though I am blessed to have a pastor that minces not the word of God, or waters down truth (though, admittedly, he's no Keith Daniel or Zac Poonen), I can sympathize for the deplorable condition of the general congregation. The truth is, this condition is demonination-wide and when a believer begins to avail his/herself to the meat of God as dispensed through such vessels as Daniel or Poonen or Ravenhill, spiritual revolutions immediately begin, stirrings, yearnings, a type of frustration is birthed that will never be satiated until you reach Heaven's shore.

God begins to deeply stir you in such a way for a good purpose - to draw you unto Him alone, and His pure Word, whereby you grow (albeit through much temptation, divers trials and pains of self-denial) and learn to lean and feed and receive solace through Him alone and not through one particular man or teacher or pastor. The great teachers, expositors of wisdom and tremendous anointing in God are simply diffusing His poured-out Spirit in them by the same means you will now have to learn to yield and fight the flesh for if you wish to have the same level of intimacy they have.

So, be frustrated, yes! But also never lose sight of the [i]real[/i] reason God has brought this awakening into your life: to go after Him with all the abandonment and fervor as an asphyxiating man would go after a tank of oxygen.

Brother Paul

Murray,

I don't know if this applies to you or not but, sometimes we are at a place that isn't so much for us as it is for others. Wheither it is a church or maybe a place of employment, the Lord often has us at a place that is uncomfortable for us yet his will for our lives is being fulfilled at that place so that others know him. So, this may be your situation or maybe it is time to shake the dust off your feet and get out. In either case, seek the Lord for his direction and he will give you peace on what to do.

brethren
bro O i guess it would have helped if i'd give y'all a link huh? :-P

here it is

https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=14012&forum=35&4 still haven't figured out how to make that into a one word hyperlink :-? how do you do that anyway?

Murray,

To quote Paul Washer, "Been there, done that, and bought the T-shirt!" It is so discouraging, but I praise God for this website because here we can have true fellowship with God's invisible Church. I am thankful for the preaching we get here and the sound advise from brothers and sisters who have walked with the Lord! It may not be my perfect image of what I'd like my Christian walk to be, but it is real! I know the hearts of the men and women here. They are true Christians and we serve a mighty God!!!

Here is a link to something else the Lord has spoken into my heart about the church and the hour we are in. I hope in encourages you.

http://www.etpv.org/2006/tobabb.html

In HIM,

Tina

The problem with the false gospel is that it sounds like the truth. They use scripture to back up their points(not in context usually). They profess to love Jesus with all their hearts. Their gospel scratches itching ears because it doesn't require much(no repentance) and promises to give you much(worldly wealth, perfect health).

[b]![/b]
That's why it is so sliding for many!
Oh how we need true preaching of the Gospel!
Word given from above with authority!

It apears that much of what the modern day church preaches is summed up in the Laodicean church. The church will most likely go through difficult times in the days ahead to remove this mixture. If you read a wonderful book called "The Heavenly Man" by Brother Yun, a house church preacher in China, you will see what lengths God will go to at times to shape us into His image. He is able in one day to open the eyes of His true church. He will have a called out people, you can count on it.

Rev 3:14 ¶ And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

it sounds like you have been shown some truth from God's word...act on it.

to keep on growing it sounds like you'll have to move on.

we'll pray for ya'

God bless

still haven't figured out how to make that into a one word hyperlink how do you do that anyway?

Hi IRONMAN,

When you are in the reply box, go up to your left and click on the "URL" tab, it works in two parts.

Prior to that you will want to copy your link.
Click on the "URL" tab.
Paste the link into the box.
Click OK.

Another box will open and here is where you give it a title. You can type it out or cut and paste from where you are referencing from; i.e. the name of the article, subject, what have you. For your example here, the link you referenced would come out like: [url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=14012&forum=35&4]Today at church...[/url]

Click OK and you are done.

Probably goes without saying that you need to have multiple pages up at the same time to be able to cut and past across, but for anybody else coming across this, figured it worth mentioning.

Of course the preview box is always the best bet to see how things "look" before submitting.

Another note. When you place these URL's into paragraphs you have to watch the spacing a bit, again the preview button great for checking and adjusting.

Brother Murray,
When you get a chance listen to Carter Carters Sermon "Run for your Life."
I believe it is listed on SI.
God Bless
Nell