Rumblings of Things To Come. Personal Thoughts

[Bob Estey]

Perhaps, but is it because there is more power in the voice of many than in the heart of one?
I have been in worship services where it was so dead in the spirit that people were falling asleep while standing up singing hymns...I have been in worship services where the anointing of the Holy Spirit was so strong that the preacher never got to preach his sermon...I have been in worship services where the worship service was so ritual I had to look around and make sure I wasnt at a military base and everyone was marching in step in and in perfect sync with each other, service began promptly at 10-, announcements, worship service, sermon, alter call, dismiss promptly at noon.
I never figured out why everyone was in such a hurry to leave...oh yeah....their dinner was in the oven and they had to hurry home...JK

I think the Lord said something about how if we aren't willing to acknowledge him publicly, he won't acknowledge us either.

 

[Bob Estey]

Which is why I say that Covid itself is probably not what instigates the meeting of true Christians in small groups. Something else has to happen.

I would define a "true Christian" as someone who obeys the Lord, not as someone who meets in small groups, but I wouldn't discourage anyone from meeting in small groups.

 

[Heart2Soul]

I think the Lord said something about how if we aren't willing to acknowledge him publicly, he won't acknowledge us either.

But I didn't say anything about acknowledging Him in public...in fact I said the opposite...as Jesus and Peter preached openly out in public then we should follow that example.

 

[MatthewG]

@MatthewG I do believe that Acts 2.42 activities, which began after the church's birthday at Pentecost, will indeed continue until the Lord's return for His church.

Hello Sir,

I only know of two birthdays. Herods birthday party, and Jesus birth day. As far as the church, and Jesus returning I will state to you I believe that already happened. If you do not that is fine.

Take care to all of you,
GOD BLESS.

(interesting tidbit about Moses and Aaron for anyone reading this, 80 years of age were they when they went to Pharaoh to proclaim the message of Yahweh to let the children of Israel go.)

 

[farouk]

Hello Sir,

I only know of two birthdays. Herods birthday party, and Jesus birth day. As far as the church, and Jesus returning I will state to you I believe that already happened. If you do not that is fine.

Take care to all of you,
GOD BLESS.

(interesting tidbit about Moses and Aaron for anyone reading this, 80 years of age were they when they went to Pharaoh to proclaim the message of Yahweh to let the children of Israel go.)

@MatthewG By birthday I mean when the church began; when the Spirit of the risen Christ came to indwell, which is Pentecost, Acts 2.

 

[Ferris Bueller]

I would define a "true Christian" as someone who obeys the Lord, not as someone who meets in small groups, but I wouldn't discourage anyone from meeting in small groups.

The point is casual Sunday Christians who only go to church to check the "I went to church because I'm supposed to" box on their imaginary score card probably won't like the informal open praise and worship and Bible discussion in one of these small groups. Which, getting back to Rita's point, means evangelism will only occur when members of the group witness outside the group and invite people to attend who've they've been talking to. The group won't exist for the purpose of the leader giving a one-sided evangelistic message to reach unsaved people attending, like it is in so many churches today. That won't be why we're meeting. Evangelism will be the responsibility of the people in the group reaching out to people in their neighborhoods and work places as their gift and calling lead them to do that. The whole group will encourage everybody in whatever gift it is that they have.

 

[MatthewG]

@MatthewG By birthday I mean when the church began; when the Spirit of the risen Christ came to indwell, which is Pentecost, Acts 2.

It’s just the day it happened. I understand. You take care now, hope the best for you and your family.

and all people here.

God bless.

 

[Hidden In Him]

I think the Lord said something about how if we aren't willing to acknowledge him publicly, he won't acknowledge us either.

You are likely referring to 2 Timothy 2:11-12, which reads, "It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us."

This passage wasn't talking about during church services, however. It was talking about when they were dragged before magistrates and sanhedrins and interrogated.

 

[GTW27]

I feel that Churches in our country are going to morph into doing church, in a way that is unfamiliar to us as a nation.

I am speaking part prophetic, and part visionary. I see small groups of around 10 people or less, gathered together in someone's home, watching their denomination's, live stream church service, due to Covid restrictions and other future restrictions.

In the future I see church buildings become less of a gathering place and small collective groups, grow with a leader for each. These are representing various churches. I believe home churches will come to the forefront in my country and the church will eventually have to go underground due to continuous legislation.....

And I saw an increased anointing upon(in) you, for your faithfulness. Was just waiting for it to come to pass. Not all things are announced. Blessings!

 

[Angelina]

And I saw an increased anointing upon(in) you, for your faithfulness. Was just waiting for it to come to pass. Not all things are announced. Blessings!

Amen ~! and here comes the good news dear brother! He hears the petitions of the saints and grants their requests according to his will. Yes and Amen!

 

[Bob Estey]

The point is casual Sunday Christians who only go to church to check the "I went to church because I'm supposed to" box on their imaginary score card probably won't like the informal open praise and worship and Bible discussion in one of these small groups. Which, getting back to Rita's point, means evangelism will only occur when members of the group witness outside the group and invite people to attend who've they've been talking to. The group won't exist for the purpose of the leader giving a one-sided evangelistic message to reach unsaved people attending, like it is in so many churches today. That won't be why we're meeting. Evangelism will be the responsibility of the people in the group reaching out to people in their neighborhoods and work places as their gift and calling lead them to do that. The whole group will encourage everybody in whatever gift it is that they have.

There are people who spend a lot of time at their churches doing volunteer work.

 

[Ferris Bueller]

There are people who spend a lot of time at their churches doing volunteer work.

Won't need much of that in a small group.

 

[Bob Estey]

You are likely referring to 2 Timothy 2:11-12, which reads, "It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us."

This passage wasn't talking about during church services, however. It was talking about when they were dragged before magistrates and sanhedrins and interrogated.

[32] So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven;
[33] but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:32 RSV

 

[Bob Estey]

Won't need much of that in a small group.

You don't feed the hungry, and things like that?

 

[Ferris Bueller]

You don't feed the hungry, and things like that?

Not in a small group.
You do that on your own in your own life.

 

[Hidden In Him]

[32] So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven;
[33] but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:32 RSV

Yes. The same thing is being referred to there: Persecution. As He states a few verses earlier:

21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! 26 Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known

 

[Angelina]

A friend of mine gave me a book about 2 days ago. When he handed it to me, I experienced a flash of revelation... libraries will also be a thing of the past. The way that we display and store collections of fiction and non-fiction material will change to reflect our changing environment.

 

[Ferris Bueller]

libraries will also be a thing of the past. The way that we display and store collections of fiction and non-fiction material will change to reflect our changing environment.

You mean the way that we display and store collections of fiction and non-fiction material will change to reflect our changing government.

 

[Brakelite]

A friend of mine gave me a book about 2 days ago. When he handed it to me, I experienced a flash of revelation... libraries will also be a thing of the past. The way that we display and store collections of fiction and non-fiction material will change to reflect our changing environment.

I was thinking about something similar the other day. Whether its better to have a hard copy of the Bible, or rely on online Bibles. I prefer of course hard copy for reading, but for study, online resources are brilliant. But we all know the time is coming when any resource or Bible translation that disagrees with the apostate church/secular union of the future will be outlawed. Such online resources will be shut down, and our homes searched for "dissident propaganda" and destroyed. Book burning will be making a comeback I think. The only recourse we will have in such circumstances is our memory. The old fashioned memory verse techniques and learning of scripture by heart I believe is now essential in securing a foundation for sharing the gospel in times when doing so may cost your life.

 

[Ferris Bueller]

The only recourse we will have in such circumstances is our memory. The old fashioned memory verse techniques and learning of scripture by heart I believe is now essential in securing a foundation for sharing the gospel in times when doing so may cost your life.

...and the gift of the Spirit to bring things back to memory. God will be communicating his word to us supernaturally. This will be a big part of small meeting. Along with lots of prayer for needs that can't easily be met the way they used to be when things were good. And there will be answers!

And may I point out, it's funny how some, if not most Christians think in terms of sharing the gospel. Since my gifts do not lean on the evangelism side of things I'm always thinking about already saved people and their well-being. Small groups are going to be about sustaining each other in the salvation we already possess. We'll be 'having church', you know, singing songs, praying, encouraging each other, discussing scripture, but without all the distracting liturgy, and it will be participatory - "When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church." 1 Corinthians 14:26.