Are Pastors Teaching a Watered-Down Gospel?

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Nancy

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We tried a "now" church one time - the pastor had long hair and used all the current lingo. The clincher was when a young girl got up on stage and sang, writhing very worldly. Then when we went to leave I have never seen such rude behavior: everyone was pushing and cutting in front of others - we never went back. There are warnings about compromise and those who want to grow a church sometimes lose sight of the fact that the goal is holiness.

Oh yeah, Satan is, and has been in the Church since day one, IMO. I miss the lack of reverential praise and worship at my old Church...this stuff with, lights moving all over the place, fake smoke! It's pretty difficult to focus on WHO it is we are actually supposed to be focusing on!!! Yikes.
 

Soverign Grace

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Oh yeah, Satan is, and has been in the Church since day one, IMO. I miss the lack of reverential praise and worship at my old Church...this stuff with, lights moving all over the place, fake smoke! It's pretty difficult to focus on WHO it is we are actually supposed to be focusing on!!! Yikes.

I read that there are demons assigned to every church. I don't think a lot of pastors realize this - I've never heard pastors teach it.
 

Nancy

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I read that there are demons assigned to every church. I don't think a lot of pastors realize this - I've never heard pastors teach it.

Neither have I heard this preached on, and this is so important. I've heard Christians say "oh, you see a demon under every rock!" Well, yeah, I pretty much do as, they ARE all assigned to us by Satan, and in my minds eye, I picture them hanging off the eves, the tree branches and sitting all around the Church. I think way too many pastors out there today are a bunch of wimps who are lacking in faith. They fear empty pews because people, are afraid to hear this stuff. What a shame.
I visited a Church with a friend once and, they did not pass a collection plate there. They had a lock box on the wall at both entrances to the building and, if anybody felt inclined to give, they would put it in the box, either before or after services. I really liked that idea, The Church was thriving and still is...God blesses ♥
 

Pearl

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I visited a Church with a friend once and, they did not pass a collection plate there. They had a lock box on the wall at both entrances to the building and, if anybody felt inclined to give, they would put it in the box, either before or after services. I really liked that idea, The Church was thriving and still is...God blesses ♥
Our church does that.
 
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Nancy

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Our church does that.
I LOVE that idea. No coercing or belittling or making the less fortunate feel less a Christian if they cannot afford to put money in a plate each week. Lot's of po' foke out there!! ♥
 
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Episkopos

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Oh yeah, Satan is, and has been in the Church since day one, IMO. I miss the lack of reverential praise and worship at my old Church...this stuff with, lights moving all over the place, fake smoke! It's pretty difficult to focus on WHO it is we are actually supposed to be focusing on!!! Yikes.

I know the church is supposed to move in concert with God...but somehow I think we are now just seeing concerts?!
 

quietthinker

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I read that there are demons assigned to every church. I don't think a lot of pastors realize this - I've never heard pastors teach it.
Jesus had clarity yet getting that clarity into his disciples was a struggle. The desirable vision is granted to those who know their cup has room for more. The self satisfied become play things for the conveniently satisfying religious devils. Self examination and self honesty with the daily cry, please guide my path is the heart felt yearning of God's people
 
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brakelite

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SG....some years ago I was blocked from entering the church I frequented for about six months. Guards were placed at the door to ensure that very thing. I would turn up week after week after week. One week I waited out of sight till the service had started. When the guards had relaxed and sat down I quickly slipped by them and sat in a pew. The sermon was on love. It was not over five minutes when the elders including the pastor came up to me demanding I get out immediately. I didn't move but asked what it was that offended them. The reply, 'just get out'. Refusing to move they called the Police. This happened twice by a Church who claimed a special ministry for the broken.

When the Gospel of Jesus becomes a threat to Church culture, when this is voiced you can be assured there will be reaction in one form or another.

Several reasons I think Willie, although I was never told directly.
I was holding bible studies at home without the permission/sanction of the leadership; they were invited but never came. That was one reason. Secondly, the ministry they claimed for broken or street people didn't find that many in the Church although there were three or four. I noticed these folk were on the outer and befriended them with conversation after the main service. The minister approached me one day as I was doing renovations on their Church, he said, I notice you are talking to such and such after the services, I said yes, he said, I would prefer if you left that to me. I asked him if he was curtailing my right to speak to whoever. He never answered but did say my approach was too Christological. The story continues with parishioners being threatened with discipline if they had anything to do with me and so on.
I coined this poem at that time:

SOUTH MELBOURNE

The pressure's on, don't come back here
cold shoulders flying spittle
you unrepentant devils child
my heart it's oh so brittle

Pickets placed, Police are called
just get him out of here
and anyone that interacts
the discipline they fear

That precious pearl that once was held
aloft for all to see
down it was cast and painted glass
was treasured more than he

Forgive them Lord, those final words
before he fell asleep
while in the crowd a watching man
would lead the future sheep

Clear, insightful, focus sharp
with passion now he meets us
there's only one consuming urge
to introduce his Jesus

Let's listen well, unplug our ears
it's worth a second look
this understated gift we're given
revealed within the book.

July 2002

:(
 
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Soverign Grace

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Jesus had clarity yet getting that clarity into his disciples was a struggle. The desirable vision is granted to those who know their cup has room for more. The self satisfied become play things for the conveniently satisfying religious devils. Self examination and self honesty with the daily cry, please guide my path is the heart felt yearning of God's people

I read that there are even "religious" demons. That's pretty telling. How many operate in churches across every continent and go unrecognized?
 
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Soverign Grace

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They would move on if Gospel truth and Bible truth was taught and preached as it should be, and if the Holy Spirit was in full control. They are like cockroaches who run from the light.

The ones that alarm me the most I think are the "religious" demons and the "critical" ones. They could operate in a church until kingdom come. I found this that was actually on this site - we've all likely seen the workings in one or more churches we've been in. I know that we have been in a few bad churches:

7 Major Demonic Spirits Inflicting the Church
 
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brakelite

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"In Search of the Church" by John Bradshaw

Yet in full consideration of the above, there are individual weaknesses and shortcomings within and among God's people. And individual churches within denominations may not always reflect the better practices of the denomination itself let alone Christ. But there are good churches out there who truly focus on community and growing in Christ within the framework of genuine relationship with God and the biblical mandate for sharing the gospel with the whole world.
 

Soverign Grace

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"In Search of the Church" by John Bradshaw

Yet in full consideration of the above, there are individual weaknesses and shortcomings within and among God's people. And individual churches within denominations may not always reflect the better practices of the denomination itself let alone Christ. But there are good churches out there who truly focus on community and growing in Christ within the framework of genuine relationship with God and the biblical mandate for sharing the gospel with the whole world.

It could be as simple as people just being people and different types of churches appeal to different people. I don't like a lot of music, but some people do and they like attending churches that have lengthy praise times. I would rather spend time listening to the sermon and get antsy after the second song. Some people like the open ways of the Pentecostal churches where people speak out and prophecy but they don't reflect my relationship with God, which is quieter. One way isn't wrong or right - it's just the preferences of different people.
 
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Episkopos

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They would move on if Gospel truth and Bible truth was taught and preached as it should be, and if the Holy Spirit was in full control. They are like cockroaches who run from the light.


Agreed. It's all about how we practice what the Lord has taught us. Some people think or have been taught the rock in the parable of the house built on the rock or the sand...is Christ. But it is the practice of what we hear from the Lord that establishes our walk as faithfulness in His presence.

The rock is "doing" the will of God. Practicing the truth. The best defense of the truth is the practice of the truth.
 

marksman

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We've seen our country and others take a nosedive in morality and I wondered if it was caused mostly by Pastors and Churches turning from the steadfast truth of Scripture to compromising with the world. The church has seemed to lose its restraining power against evil.

We're warned that there is a departing from the faith in the end times but even with this Scripture many pastors - and Christians - don't seem to grasp that we're part of the problem and acknowledge clear Scripture verses. Are they - and we - such conformists that we no longer want to bear the shame of the cross or to be different from others?

There is no doubt that the church has compromised big time. The number of them getting into bed with the homosexual agenda is appalling (pun intended).

And the megachurch phenomenon has turned things into entertainment.

The New Testament church met in homes which meant probably no more than 30 people at a time bearing in mind they sat and ate meals together (breaking bread), so I am not at all excited about the megachurch phenomenon.

If the truth were known, probably the majority of people attend mega because it means they don't have to get involved if they don't want to. They can hide amongst the mega crowds.

An Anglican diocese was bemoaning that they didn't have church buildings where the new growth areas were so I wrote to them and said why not send out church planters and start out in their homes. Response...up yours.

Ed Silvoso said that the best way to evangelise was to start a church in every street (in a home). That probably doesn't happen because it will create work for the minister, having to disciple church leaders. Did I mention that word disciple? Oh my, that is too much like hard work and if I do that one of them might prove better than me at the job.

Better to keep them submissive and relying on me. If I don't I might find myself out of a job.

I have found with fifty years of involvement in politics, that it is the case of the lesser of two evils. Whatever Trump says what is important is what he does. As they say, actions speak louder than words.

If Hilary had become President, you would be in deep trouble now as the country would be run by socialist/Marxist elite and they would be dragging children into all manner of evils and abominations even worse than what is happening now.

Big State would have taken over and your children would be owned by them and if you complained you would have been thrown in jail.

Here in Australia, we have just been saved from such a situation. The socialist/Marxist/Greens coalition was forecasted to win the election but prayer prevailed and the Liberal Coalition was returned. The leader is a Pentecostal Christian and the deputy, an evangelical Christian.

If the other lot had been elected the country would have been under the thumb of the homosexuals and all legislation would have to reflect their demands. The right to religious freedom would have been wiped out and replaced by the rights of homosexuals.

We were fortunate that we didn't get the lesser of two evils. We got the real deal. So maybe it is time to count our blessings as the time will come when it will be difficult to do so if you get my drift.
 
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brakelite

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There is no doubt that the church has compromised big time. The number of them getting into bed with the homosexual agenda is appalling (pun intended).

And the megachurch phenomenon has turned things into entertainment.

The New Testament church met in homes which meant probably no more than 30 people at a time bearing in mind they sat and ate meals together (breaking bread), so I am not at all excited about the megachurch phenomenon.

If the truth were known, probably the majority of people attend mega because it means they don't have to get involved if they don't want to. They can hide amongst the mega crowds.

An Anglican diocese was bemoaning that they didn't have church buildings where the new growth areas were so I wrote to them and said why not send out church planters and start out in their homes. Response...up yours.

Ed Silvoso said that the best way to evangelise was to start a church in every street (in a home). That probably doesn't happen because it will create work for the minister, having to disciple church leaders. Did I mention that word disciple? Oh my, that is too much like hard work and if I do that one of them might prove better than me at the job.

Better to keep them submissive and relying on me. If I don't I might find myself out of a job.

I have found with fifty years of involvement in politics, that it is the case of the lesser of two evils. Whatever Trump says what is important is what he does. As they say, actions speak louder than words.

If Hilary had become President, you would be in deep trouble now as the country would be run by socialist/Marxist elite and they would be dragging children into all manner of evils and abominations even worse than what is happening now.

Big State would have taken over and your children would be owned by them and if you complained you would have been thrown in jail.

Here in Australia, we have just been saved from such a situation. The socialist/Marxist/Greens coalition was forecasted to win the election but prayer prevailed and the Liberal Coalition was returned. The leader is a Pentecostal Christian and the deputy, an evangelical Christian.

If the other lot had been elected the country would have been under the thumb of the homosexuals and all legislation would have to reflect their demands. The right to religious freedom would have been wiped out and replaced by the rights of homosexuals.

We were fortunate that we didn't get the lesser of two evils. We got the real deal. So maybe it is time to count our blessings as the time will come when it will be difficult to do so if you get my drift.
Check out what is happening in NZ Video a game-changer in child protection
 

Soverign Grace

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There is no doubt that the church has compromised big time. The number of them getting into bed with the homosexual agenda is appalling (pun intended).

And the megachurch phenomenon has turned things into entertainment.

The New Testament church met in homes which meant probably no more than 30 people at a time bearing in mind they sat and ate meals together (breaking bread), so I am not at all excited about the megachurch phenomenon.

If the truth were known, probably the majority of people attend mega because it means they don't have to get involved if they don't want to. They can hide amongst the mega crowds.

An Anglican diocese was bemoaning that they didn't have church buildings where the new growth areas were so I wrote to them and said why not send out church planters and start out in their homes. Response...up yours.

Ed Silvoso said that the best way to evangelise was to start a church in every street (in a home). That probably doesn't happen because it will create work for the minister, having to disciple church leaders. Did I mention that word disciple? Oh my, that is too much like hard work and if I do that one of them might prove better than me at the job.

Better to keep them submissive and relying on me. If I don't I might find myself out of a job.

I have found with fifty years of involvement in politics, that it is the case of the lesser of two evils. Whatever Trump says what is important is what he does. As they say, actions speak louder than words.

If Hilary had become President, you would be in deep trouble now as the country would be run by socialist/Marxist elite and they would be dragging children into all manner of evils and abominations even worse than what is happening now.

Big State would have taken over and your children would be owned by them and if you complained you would have been thrown in jail.

Here in Australia, we have just been saved from such a situation. The socialist/Marxist/Greens coalition was forecasted to win the election but prayer prevailed and the Liberal Coalition was returned. The leader is a Pentecostal Christian and the deputy, an evangelical Christian.

If the other lot had been elected the country would have been under the thumb of the homosexuals and all legislation would have to reflect their demands. The right to religious freedom would have been wiped out and replaced by the rights of homosexuals.

We were fortunate that we didn't get the lesser of two evils. We got the real deal. So maybe it is time to count our blessings as the time will come when it will be difficult to do so if you get my drift.

I too am shocked at what some churches are doing. I saw a photo-shoot of nine pastors standing outside of an abortion clinic "blessing" it. It was blasphemous - it's like they're unfamiliar with the bible. I recall that Billy Graham said years ago that there are pastors firmly planted in churches across the country who are not even spiritually reborn. I just wonder how they got through seminary.

Children are being dragged into evils now - I am very concerned about what is going on. I just read yesterday that they're slipping in things into cartoons that children should never be exposed to.

I pray all the time because the young are so impressionable and we've left them a terrible world. I just don't know what to do. I believe that Christians should do something but I don't know what. I print articles and leave them around to wake up the slumbering masses but I don't feel I'm doing a lot. If you read Attorney John Whitehead's newsletter you'll read things that make you think America is gone and we're now in a totalitarian regime.
 

marksman

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I too am shocked at what some churches are doing. I saw a photo-shoot of nine pastors standing outside of an abortion clinic "blessing" it. It was blasphemous - it's like they're unfamiliar with the bible. I recall that Billy Graham said years ago that there are pastors firmly planted in churches across the country who are not even spiritually reborn. I just wonder how they got through seminary.

Children are being dragged into evils now - I am very concerned about what is going on. I just read yesterday that they're slipping in things into cartoons that children should never be exposed to.

I pray all the time because the young are so impressionable and we've left them a terrible world. I just don't know what to do. I believe that Christians should do something but I don't know what. I print articles and leave them around to wake up the slumbering masses but I don't feel I'm doing a lot. If you read Attorney John Whitehead's newsletter you'll read things that make you think America is gone and we're now in a totalitarian regime.
The main battle whatever the subject is a battle for the truth. Jesus said you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. The whole homosexual movement is built on lies. The whole abortion movement is built on lies. The whole sex education movement is built on lies. The whole transgender movement is built on lies. The whole atheistic movement is built on lies. The whole FFRF movement is built on lies. The whole evolution movement is built on lies.

So what do we do? We disseminate the truth. We discover first what the truth is and when a subject comes up based on lies we disseminate the truth.

"Funny you should say that because the truth of the matter is...I was reading the other day that..."

I usually finish up with that people who believe lies cannot handle the truth. is it a problem for you?
 
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