The modern gospel with it's ability to innoculate individuals against the true gospel. And with what appears to be a proliferation of the same. How does this bode for us in the future?
Are we on a slippery slope here?
Does it appear that true heartfelt believers, sounding the alarm, are out-numbered by the easy-believism, cheap grace (as Bonhoeffer coined it) proponents?
...Or has it alway's been this way?
QUOTE:
The modern gospel with it's ability to innoculate individuals against the true gospel. And with what appears to be a proliferation of the same. How does this bode for us in the future?
I am guessing this social club will become part and parcel of a New World Order that will work to persecute true Believers...in other words, the anti-christ will use it to his ends.
QUOTE:
"Are we on a slippery slope here?"
Depends on who you include in the "we". The true believers, NO. The Believers will be subjected to persecution and killings.
QUOTE:
"Does it appear that true heartfelt believers, sounding the alarm, are out-numbered by the easy-believism, cheap grace (as Bonhoeffer coined it) proponents?"
Yes.
QUOTE:
"...Or has it alway's been this way?"
No. I remember well when evangelists preached about sin, warned people of the wrath to come. It has since been replaced with messages of love that costs nothing, demands nothing but 'love' - one that accommodates everybody that wins people by philosophical manipulation into the kingdom with no need of repentance. Easy - just change your belief system.
Am I sarcastic? Likely. Do I feel pessimistic? Yes. No hope in the future of this world...am looking forward to see the current mess we are in to end...but am like the song writer who penned these words: "wait a little bit longer, please Jesus, there are so many still wandering out in sin.."
Sorry I can not encourage you to believe that things will get better apart from Jesus' return.
Be encouraged brother, the Lord has a remnant that will never bow to the gospel of Babylon. Glad to see that we have brothers (and sisters Ms. ginny) that will stand with us!
Much grace to you!
...Or has it alway's been this way?
Today there is an unprecedented harvest of souls. China is a good example. It wasn’t that long ago when there was very little open evidence of the gospel there – but today churches are sprouting in astounding numbers. God’s mighty power is at work – doing all kinds of signs and wonders.
Communism’s atheism has left a vacuum – and that is making hearts hungry for God. Russian schools are asking for the Bible to be taught.
While it is grievous to see the slippage in western Christianity, good can still come out of it. Our cultural trends are leaving people desperately empty and thirsty. Our shallow religion won’t fill it- whether worldly or conservative. That has to go. Let us see how God works through the times and seasons to bring about his glory. There is no reason to believe God has abandoned us forever. Quite the contrary!
For several years I have had a sense that our offspring will be the ones who witness the “showers” from heaven. For us, it is a season of trust and hope – just as it was for the OT prophets. I fully believe God will answer our prayers for our children:
For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
and my blessing on your descendants. Is. 44:3
Diane
There is a great danger in the Modern American church with this "psuedo-gospel" as I call it. We have been institutionalized into believing that if at one time you have said yes a couple of times to some very trivial questions and repeated a prayer then you are in fact saved and if you do not stick around and get involved in the church like a good christian should and you go back in to all the sin that you were delivered from, then the blame falls in one of two places: 1)the church leadership for not keeping tabs on them and having sufficient retention packages to keep them in there or "plug them in" to some kind of service, or 2)it falls on the person because they were just not serious or sincere enough about it and need to go out and really hit rock bottom before they "need" Jesus.
The fact of the matter is that many times this decision has been almost pulled out of the person due to bits and pieces of psychological manipulation and "tricks of the trade" because that is what we have to rely on now due to the lack of effect of preaching the Gospel. Or so they say anyways.
There is a great danger in this modern methodology. It has been said about John Wesley that when he would bring young men with him to preach and they did not anger people with the Gospel we would call into question if they were truly called to preach. Because Wesley knew that the there were only two reactions to the true Gospel: Absolute submission or absolute rejection. The hearers would, under conviction of the Holy Spirit, fall on their face and cry out to God to save them or reject it with the fierceness of an animal. What we have done in this day is go and ask the carnal, God-hating, sensual world what offends them about the Gospel and then remove it so that we can get them in the door and then maybe down the road we can sneak it in on them after they have gotten comfortable the church.
The problem with that is what most offends men most about the Gospel is the saving power of it. What offends men is that God is holy, sovereign, just, and righteous; which is the first part of the Gospel. with that removed, all is motivated by love love love love love, which is important, but not the foundation. Now, the Gospel sounds more like a romantic love story about star crossed lovers like Romeo and Juliet than it does about the divine justice of God being appeased and His righteousness revealed through Jesus Christ.
How do we correct this?
2 Timothy 1:13-14 (KJV)
13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
Sorry for the essay format, I am just very passionate about the Gospel being preached regardless of results.
Ever wondered why the Apostles were murdered? Why would anyone desire to murder righteous people who healed the sick and performed many miracles? Not only were the Apostles murdered, their followers were also hunted down and murdered by the thousands. Ever wondered why?
The Apostles carried a message! A message that was detrimental to Lucifer's reign and kingdom. It had to be destroyed. For two thousand years, that message has been replaced with the confusion we have today. We have been wondering strangers to our Creator, we've lost our way.
The Prophet Isayah said that in the Last Days Yahweh would establish His House, in the chief of the nations. And will be raised above all congregations; and all nations will eventually flow to it. Isayah 2:2-4—
Verse 3&4-
And many people will go and
say; Come, and let us go up to Abel;
to the mountain; to promote/praise
Yahweh, to the House of the Father
of Yaaqob, and He will teach us of
His Ways, and we will walk in His
paths. For the Law and the Word of
Yahweh will be restored to Abel by
those who keep all His Laws and
who are taught by the Priest who
teaches peace.
Praise Yahweh
"The Apostles carried a message!"
What message did the apostles carry...
Galatians 2:4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in--who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery-- to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
Galatians 3:10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them." Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith."
Galatians 3:23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,
Galatians 5:4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.
Galatians 5:12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
Phillipians 3:2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh--
Titus 1:10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.
The "future" is here.
I could make a "list"...
just read 2Timothy chapter 3.
hi, i do not post here to be jumped on or to instruct so i am posting this to tell you how i feel after 50 yeaqrs of serving the Lord Jesus.i agree that the manipulative sad stories and fear of burning in hell by evangelist at their invitations are wrong; i see the truth is to invite a sinner to come and die at the altar of sacrifice is the way.our problem is that ,as len would say ,how do we plow the ground ,plant a seed , have that seed die and bring forth fruit in 5 minutes.john the baptizer came and said repent.Jesus said repent, peter said repent.so let us look at what is meant by repent. most will tell you that this is when you decide to turn from your sin and accept Jesus... repentance is turning your life over to Jesus as your Lord and Master and presenting yourself as a living dead person(sacrifice) to Him. it is all about love for God is love and grace is an exspression of His love.Jesus already dealt with the sin question but unless you are in Christ you will forever fight a losing battle here... adam had no sin nature and was pure and innocent and only had one law that would seem to be easy to keep and he failed. how much more did we need help with over 600 laws and 10 commandments.the bible says that narrow is the gate for there is only one way and that is through Jesus who is the gate, the only gate... He is also the Way and our Pathfinder. and His yoke IS easy. He saw the failure and how pitifully week adam was and made a covenant for us and He came and cut the covenant for us at the cross for He was fully God and fully man and innocent of any sin.He also is the covenant keeping advocate for us ,forever making intercession for us. once you are truly in Him and born from above it is very easy for He has provided everything you need for zoe(eternal)life.jimp
Here is a very powerful video message on this subject just preached by brother Paul Washer:
寻访古道 - Finding the old path by Paul washer
https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/myvideo/photo.php?lid=2841
theEphah, I agree with what you say, except I think Isaiah is speaking prophetically about about Jerusalem above and not below. But, that is just me and I won't argue about it.
Pilgrim
My advice is to follow Jesus and You will not go wrong.
The Lord said my sheep know my voice.
There is a lot of clutter and many follow the wrong voice in this hour. The reason for this is that people are lazy. They don't study or pray and fasting... well lets just say these three are almost a lost art.
These people are lulled to sleep believing "every day is a Friday". Not much more I can say there.
I like to think every day is a new day by the Grace and mercy of God. I will make myself busy doing the masters work, witnessing with the word of my testimony and the blood of the lamb.
We have the Bible and the Holy Spirit who will guide and teach us of all things.
God Bless,
Sonsigns
jim i herd ravenhill say we need more hell fire preachers
hi. len was a loving ,kind,wise,articulate man that did preach hell hot and wonderful,awsome God. He did not blast other people to us but blasted us instead.He preached that God is able to keep you away from sin... i remember him saying that the bible says IF you sin you have an advocate not when you sin.len preached Jesus and a thrice holy God and a man in need of everything he can get from God.he thought that technics were an abomination and that the sad story is that you are going to spend an eternity in hell with out hope if you do not come to Jesus.he preached all this with a tear in his eye for he loved men and women more than he love mammon.jimp
He has provided everything you need for zoe(______ )life
Please keep in mind that I am preaching to myself. I would likely get the prize here for negativity. It comes naturally to me. I can sink very fast. That’s why I’ve been thinking about this for a long time.
Here’s a new thought that came to me: Perhaps a dark outlook is an indication that we are not looking towards our Lord, but merely looking into the mirror. We are seeing a reflection of our own weak faith; or we are seeing ourselves in our present setting. Or maybe we are seeing ourselves through the lens of the media – which most of us watch every day. Maybe we are seeing ourselves through the lens of our agnostic society. Maybe we see ourselves and fellow humanity looming larger than our God – and that’s why we get so overwhelmed by sins of the world. They terrify us and reduce us to passive despondency. And with a small view of God, we cling to our sin-reduction strategies that depend more on human effort than God’s transformative power.
What is God doing among his people today – even in our own English speaking western world? Oh! May God open our eyes to see it better and to benefit from it. Surely it would not please God if we only look at the bad stuff and neglect to honor him by receiving blessing from the good he is doing among so many faithful and hardworking believers today.
May God do for us what he did for Hagar in opening her eyes to see the bountiful spring of water nearby.
Diane
repentance is turning your life over to Jesus as your Lord and Master and presenting yourself as a living dead person(sacrifice) to Him.
People here talk about Presenting as dead even having any clue what it means. Let me explain what Dead is fist-
A dead man will never get angry when any one rebukes him no matter how bad you rebuke at him. Jesus lived like that and that is why he said any word spoken against me will be forgiven. A dead man will never have pride no matter how much you appreciate him. There was no trace of Pride in Jesus. A dead man will never turn and lust against a women no matter how immodestly she dressed. In short a man dead to this world will absolutely have no dealing with the world, like how a dead member in a family has no part to play in a family. I can keep adding to the qualities of a dead man. All these are true and you can test any of these qualities by going to a funeral!
Jesus said if anyone is desiring to follow me you should deny yourself and take up YOUR cross.
Matthew 16-24:-
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it"
So taking up the cross is to deny our life in this world and to consider dead to our will and do the will of God. Jesus did not say just take up the cross one day. No he said daily you need to carry your cross. Which means everyday I have to die to my will and do the will of God. So anyone who says it is a one time death is a false teacher. There is no one time death, it is to die every day.
All the promises of Eternal security are valid only when we are dead. When you get angry at a fellow brother just because he posted a scripture that proves you wrong then how can you say you are dead? When you lust and commit sin then how can you say you are dead? When you divorce your wife when God says I hate divorce then how are you dead?
Repent from these and live as a dead man like how Jesus did. Then claim the promises they are all true.
In my own walk with Jesus I find many of my actions are not like a dead man. But as soon as I know them I repent and confess to father in Jesus name and he forgives me (this is Repentance). But I have this hope that I will continue walking and God will give me grace to be dead to this world.
When you get angry at a fellow brother just because he posted a scripture that proves you wrong then how can you say you are dead? When you lust and commit sin then how can you say you are dead? When you divorce your wife when God says I hate divorce then how are you dead?
Repent from these and live as a dead man like how Jesus did
Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, because your commandments are always with me. Psalm 119:98
Your testimony is sure, making the simple wise. Psalm 19:7
great post!!
This discussion is locked.
