The Great Apostasy vs Weirdness in the Modern Church

It has become obvious that the Church is in the midst of a great apostasy. Many “ologies” and “isms” have arose and have come to prominence, some old, some new, but all are extra biblical and full of heresy.
I’m not going to address these groups today, instead I want to address some changes in the orthodoxy, the Christ focused, Bible believing churches.

In my visiting some local bodies of late I can’t help but to notice that the Gospel message seems to no longer be sufficient. The use of worldly marketing ideas, using course language as part of a message or alluding to harsh language through double entendre and shock value to get folks in the door have become the new trend.
I attended a Baptist Church for a while where the Pastor used the term “scumbag” during a sermon on multiple occasions. Why? To serve what purpose? Another church I attended had a sermon series called “F-Bomb” a series on forgiveness. They could have named it “Forgiveness: The Christian F-Bomb” for example but I guess it wouldn’t carry the requisite shock value. The lack of maturity and or discernment is sometimes more shocking than the devices being used.

Can we get back to the Gospel, the simple, perfect message of the Gospel and stop the nonsense? I can understand doing certain things to entice the “goats” to come to church to give them the Gospel. What I don’t like is the prospect of having a church full of goats to bloat the attendance figures. Jesus asked Peter to "feed my sheep" and that should be the primary focus. Anybody searching for GOD will be looking for the WORD, not a bunch of gimmicks.

Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, In Jesus name I pray.

Sensing the Presence of The LORD

One of the benefits of having a close personal relationship with GOD through Christ is the sense of his presence when we are in prayer, reading the Word, or in worship with fellow believers. “Christ in you the hope of glory”(Col 1:27) becomes more real when you sense his presence. It is real and palpable, unmistakable.

Every believer at some point in their walk has experienced this, some daily, some occasionally. One way I know that I am outside His will or have some unconfessed sin is that his presence is not felt as strongly, or not at all.

The best way to grow in faith is to read the Word. It is also the best way to feel his presence and grow closer since GOD Talks to us through his Word. When we talk to Him through prayer the communication is both ways and complete.
While the Temple and the Tabernacle of the Lords’ presence in the Holy Of Holies no longer physically exist, the tabernacle of his presence resides in each and every born again believer. Feed on the Word to reap the maximum benefit of this relationship.

Until the next time, May the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.