Matthew 4:17

From that time Jesus began to preach and say,
" Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."


In the NIV, NKJ and NASB versions of the Bile, the word "repent" appears approximately 70-75 times.

In the "Message" version of the Bilbe, that same word appears only 2 times in the New Testament, and included only two more times as part of repentance. Only 34 times is repent or repentance even mentioned at all.

No wonder repentance is not part of the sermon included in most "mega-churches' today.

What is offered in exchange by these churches is "connecting" with other "seekers" in exchange for "repenting and turning away from your sinful life"!

When Jesus comes back for His bride, will He find a spotless virgin, or a painted up 'hussie'?

__________________
..."I Pray You, show me Your glory!"
---Exodus 33:18 (NASB)

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Ich verbiete dem Feind, in unserer Umgebung (Annointed.net) einzudringen oder hier zu wirken, im Namen des Herrn Jesus. Amen

Part of the problem with churches today is that they are run by a Pastor/CEO.

Nowhere in the scriptures does it say that a church is to be run only by one Pastor.

In fact, the very last thing Jesus did before He left the earth was to establish church government. These are called the "ascension gifts".

Ephesians 4:11 (The five-fold Ministry)

"And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers."

__________________
..."I Pray You, show me Your glory!"
---Exodus 33:18 (NASB)

The word 'Pastor' eliminates committee.

God always deals with the single individual and places them in authority.

Authority of the individual, ONE ear to hear from God, is the basis of most of the mega churches.

If there is anything 'wrong' with churches, it is that too many of them are still run by committee, and no one is in obedience or submission.

God chooses one leader and to defy them is to defy God.

I know. I know. I STILL have a hard time with it.

But I really believe it is true.

Rachel R

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One thing that I have noticed in the "megachurches" is that the prosperity message is rampant... or am I imagining this? I UNDERSTAND that we must be prosperous to spread the message- it takes funding to spread the work.

But without my repentance, I would never have sought to spread ANY message. I would have split the gates of Hell wide open.
I believe that there is too little focus on the basic message and the good news. No one wants to admit that they were ever in NEED of God's grace and forgiveness these days. There are still times that I have to keep my tongue from getting the rest of me in a world of trouble.

I just realized that you are saying that mega churches are a BAD thing.

How is that possible?

God doing an enormous work that the church has cried out for for years?

How can that be a bad thing?

And when leadership is following God, they are telling the people what God's message is.

God tells them what the focus is to be.

Are they to say, 'this seems unbalanced to me, I will correct it'?

I think God has a pretty good idea what the message of the moment is.

Rachel R

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Rachel,
In my humble opinion-
It seems to me that the megachurches are similar to the "Wal Mart" or "McDonald's" concepts of religiosity- a form of religion- not necessarily the love of God, but a business model presentation of Christianity for profit. I think that Jesus showed what He thought of religiosity in the temple when he overturned the tables.
That is the problem that I see with the conglomerates (megachurches)- they function somewhat as a large business that has lost sight of its original purpose for existence.

Alright now hehe, look, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Mega Churches. God saw a need and leaders and people to fulfill a need. If a smaller Church grew into a Mega one, its because of the presence and movement of God by the Holy Spirit in that Church felt and experioenced, then word spread of it.

Whether its a big or small Church, none are perfect. They all have thier faults, so please lets keep this discussion in context of how God would have it be discussed, in a Christ-like manner.

Secondly- Christ Himself established the Church type system, by the fact He was the leader and disciples the followers- (members). After Christ left, these members, elected as Church Deacons, as it were, went out as commanded, and spread the Gospel and message of God's life for people, to the distance they could reach, in the mean time, continuing to establish the "Church" foundational system wherever enough converts were found to gather them together first in homes, then later in regular buildings either taken over or built for them to praise, worship God and hear leaders preach God's Word.

Third- Do not speak against the Church system not being of God, knowing God had the Jews construct a portable Temple as commanded them by God, thru their leader Moses.

I remember a poster here on annointed about 6-8 months back had asked who had built the first Church, as they were discussing it with another who argued the Catholics did. So I told them of the Scriptures showing the measurements and design inside and out of the Temple God commanded Moses to have the First Chosen build way back in Old Test. times.

If Churches are not to have Pastors as the leader, what then of the Scripture where God, thru Paul declares there are some called as Apostles, Pastors, Bishops, Deacons etc by God?

Then I read retorical remarks about the "Prosperity message" conflict. I suggest we all be more careful how we speak about doctrine taught. Why?

Back when God's Word was flourishing in the early centuries, along came the "dark ages" and God's Word or any type of religious doctrine was quelled almost completely. But, God brought about a reformation of Christianity. Thru the process of Its growth, we find times or "eras", where God appears to have specific messages taught thru chosen people, such as John Wesley, Calvin, plus many more.

Each of these people, chosen by God, had brought to light, particular aspects of God's Word that were apparently not paid enough attention to at those chosen times.

The only place man failed with suh things, is when certain groups started arguing over which one was right or which doctrine more important. They all are equally important and should be collectively taught as God, thru Christ had taught it.

One of the major faults any Church can have, is when the Pastor or leadership under the Pastor, moves more towards worldly and or selfish thinking and operating in thier service to God on a Church Board, to a point they sit and are unable to come to good sound God guided decisions for the operatring of the Church Blessed to them by God.

And you can see that in the first Churches the Apostles started as well. From one problem allowed in, it can lead to more. It is a natural part of man's dealing with his "carnal nature" and satan's ability to manipulate it thru influence.

Remembr this as well, even as God can call specific people as Apostles, Bishops, Pastors, Deacons etc, so also can God call specific people to concentrate on specific parts of His Word where something important God wants the "Body" to hear and learn about needs to be presented and shared.

Ok, maybe they don't share as much about the rest of the Word of God, so what? Think about it people, Benny Hnn is one of the most prominant Pastors God Heals thru, Billy Grahman was a very well known all around Evangelist, Tim LaHaye, Hal Linsey and some others are prominant in Prophecy and Prophetic teaching.

But, do you hear those ministers speaking of all of God's Word continually in ministry, no, they share it to an extent, but that is not thier main calling, so don't come down on them if appear to lack in some area, when we don't recognize thier main "Calling" of God to ministry.

Look at me as well, called by God at age 25 as an evangelistic minister of which I di that till age 45. Now, God provided me with the basic foundation for preaching and teaching in most all areas of His Word, yet, God has only given me more extensive knowledge in some of them. In essence, I can apply what God has taught me to an extent in most areas, but to a great one in a few of them.

This don't mean I'm bad, out of line with God or wrong to the extent of what God has taught me and leave further teaching and Preaching to those God has specifically called in those areas.

I pray this helps!!

God Bless!!

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Warrior of God

Dear Brian:

THANK YOU
for such a wise word.

We should not complain about the Gospel being preached.
God has made a church for everyone.

If you like big
God has made it.

If you like small
God has made it.

If you like music
God has made it.

If you like prayer
God has made it.

If you like repentance
God has made it.

If you like Holy Spirit
God has made it.

If you like noisy
God has made it.

If you like quit
God has made it.


Do not complain for the churches you do not like
Find the ones you do

If you can not find one
Then let God make it through you.

Be part of the answer not the problem.

__________________
Ich verbiete dem Feind, in unserer Umgebung (Annointed.net) einzudringen oder hier zu wirken, im Namen des Herrn Jesus. Amen

Have we become a society of church-goers that are like the story of The Emperor's New Clothes? Everyone is afraid to say what is wrong, because of what people might think? What is the standard by which we measure what is right and wrong? Hopefully it should be the word of God, and not the traditions of man.

Here's the story of the Emperor.

The Emperor's New Clothes

Many years ago there lived an emperor who loved beautiful new clothes so much that he spent all his money on being finely dressed. His only interest was in going to the theater or in riding about in his carriage where he could show off his new clothes. He had a different costume for every hour of the day. Indeed, where it was said of other kings that they were at court, it could only be said of him that he was in his dressing room!

One day two swindlers came to the emperor's city. They said that they were weavers, claiming that they knew how to make the finest cloth imaginable. Not only were the colors and the patterns extraordinarily beautiful, but in addition, this material had the amazing property that it was to be invisible to anyone who was incompetent or stupid.

"It would be wonderful to have clothes made from that cloth," thought the emperor. "Then I would know which of my men are unfit for their positions, and I'd also be able to tell clever people from stupid ones." So he immediately gave the two swindlers a great sum of money to weave their cloth for him.

They set up their looms and pretended to go to work, although there was nothing at all on the looms. They asked for the finest silk and the purest gold, all of which they hid away, continuing to work on the empty looms, often late into the night.

"I would really like to know how they are coming with the cloth!" thought the emperor, but he was a bit uneasy when he recalled that anyone who was unfit for his position or stupid would not be able to see the material. Of course, he himself had nothing to fear, but still he decided to send someone else to see how the work was progressing.

"I'll send my honest old minister to the weavers," thought the emperor. He's the best one to see how the material is coming. He is very sensible, and no one is more worthy of his position than he.

So the good old minister went into the hall where the two swindlers sat working at their empty looms. "Goodness!" thought the old minister, opening his eyes wide. "I cannot see a thing!" But he did not say so.

The two swindlers invited him to step closer, asking him if it wasn't a beautiful design and if the colors weren't magnificent. They pointed to the empty loom, and the poor old minister opened his eyes wider and wider. He still could see nothing, for nothing was there. "Gracious" he thought. "Is it possible that I am stupid? I have never thought so. Am I unfit for my position? No one must know this. No, it will never do for me to say that I was unable to see the material."

"You aren't saying anything!" said one of the weavers.

"Oh, it is magnificent! The very best!" said the old minister, peering through his glasses. "This pattern and these colors! Yes, I'll tell the emperor that I am very satisfied with it!"

"That makes us happy!" said the two weavers, and they called the colors and the unusual pattern by name. The old minister listened closely so that he would be able say the same things when he reported back to the emperor, and that is exactly what he did.

The swindlers now asked for more money, more silk, and more gold, all of which they hid away. Then they continued to weave away as before on the empty looms.

The emperor sent other officials as well to observe the weavers' progress. They too were startled when they saw nothing, and they too reported back to him how wonderful the material was, advising him to have it made into clothes that he could wear in a grand procession. The entire city was alive in praise of the cloth. "Magnifique! Nysseligt! Excellent!" they said, in all languages. The emperor awarded the swindlers with medals of honor, bestowing on each of them the title Lord Weaver.

The swindlers stayed up the entire night before the procession was to take place, burning more than sixteen candles. Everyone could see that they were in a great rush to finish the emperor's new clothes. They pretended to take the material from the looms. They cut in the air with large scissors. They sewed with needles but without any thread. Finally they announced, "Behold! The clothes are finished!"

The emperor came to them with his most distinguished cavaliers. The two swindlers raised their arms as though they were holding something and said, "Just look at these trousers! Here is the jacket! This is the cloak!" and so forth. "They are as light as spider webs! You might think that you didn't have a thing on, but that is the good thing about them."

"Yes," said the cavaliers, but they couldn't see a thing, for nothing was there.

"Would his imperial majesty, if it please his grace, kindly remove his clothes." said the swindlers. "Then we will fit you with the new ones, here in front of the large mirror."

The emperor took off all his clothes, and the swindlers pretended to dress him, piece by piece, with the new ones that were to be fitted. They took hold of his waist and pretended to tie something about him. It was the train. Then the emperor turned and looked into the mirror.

"Goodness, they suit you well! What a wonderful fit!" they all said. "What a pattern! What colors! Such luxurious clothes!"

"The canopy to be carried above your majesty awaits outside," said the grandmaster of ceremonies.

"Yes, I am ready!" said the emperor. "Don't they fit well?" He turned once again toward the mirror, because it had to appear as though he were admiring himself in all his glory.

The chamberlains who were to carry the train held their hands just above the floor as if they were picking up the train. As they walked they pretended to hold the train high, for they could not let anyone notice that they could see nothing.

The emperor walked beneath the beautiful canopy in the procession, and all the people in the street and in their windows said, "Goodness, the emperor's new clothes are incomparable! What a beautiful train on his jacket. What a perfect fit!" No one wanted it to be noticed that he could see nothing, for then it would be said that he was unfit for his position or that he was stupid. None of the emperor's clothes had ever before received such praise.

"But he doesn't have anything on!" said a small child.

"Good Lord, let us hear the voice of an innocent child!" said the father, and whispered to another what the child had said.

"A small child said that he doesn't have anything on!"

Finally everyone was saying, "He doesn't have anything on!"

The emperor shuddered, for he knew that they were right, but he thought, "The procession must go on!" He carried himself even more proudly, and the chamberlains walked along behind carrying the train that wasn't there.

__________________
..."I Pray You, show me Your glory!"
---Exodus 33:18 (NASB)

Dear Bruce

I do not think a fairy tale is the proper place to go to for your foundation text.

No one is afraid to show sin
No one is afraid to point out the pain in society today.
But why do we find it necessary to pick on the body of Christ.

As I said above our most Precious Savior had given us this buffet so we do have a place to go.

When you go to the buffet pick the food you like but don't complain about the food you do not like,

If you do not like spinach or broccoli that does not mean the buffet should ban them because you do not like them

The Lord has provided places for every one of us to be a part of.

Let us pray for them
Let us support the ones we like
Let us love the rest

And let the world see the Love we have for one another.

Sometimes I am afraid for those of you,
who always find something wrong in body of Christ.

Where are the people who see what is right and good and wonderful?

Are we upset because we feel rejected
Are we upset because we don't fit in

Lets look for the places we do fit into
and help build them into a great house of God.