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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2006 20:40:30 GMT -5
Rob - for me personally, to have a "service" at say, Starbucks, whilst, say, also reading the Sydney Morning Herald and talking about the drought, demeans the seriousness of worship and service.
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Post by Rob O on Jul 26, 2006 20:41:52 GMT -5
Who said anything about reading the SMH and talking about the drought? Don't put words in my mouth.
And worship is a lifestyle, not something you do twice a week. Edit: Paraphrasing Paul - whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord and present your bodies to the Lord as a spiritual sacrifice which is your reasonable service.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2006 20:47:28 GMT -5
Rob: quote "Don't put words in my mouth" ... just giving an example of what we do when we go to a coffee shop. The scripture isn't specific about how many times a week you meet, but the example given was at least once.
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Post by Rob O on Jul 26, 2006 20:55:17 GMT -5
Bert,
Let's cut to the chase, to what's really important.
Paul said, "I'm not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of salvation to all who believe."
In your view, what is the gospel?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2006 20:55:40 GMT -5
There have been times under Communism and Catholicism when people who wanted to meet for service were forced to meet in more informal ways. But a time "set apart" and a place "separated from" "in one place at one time" helps to establish what we call a "church."
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2006 20:57:50 GMT -5
Rob - as I understand it, the "gospel" is our translation of the term "good news." That good news is that Jesus came to be our redeemer and through him we can have salvation.
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Post by Rob O on Jul 26, 2006 21:00:46 GMT -5
Yes, but how? You say:
"That good news is that Jesus came to be our redeemer and through him we can have salvation. "
But what assumptions are you packing into that statement. I can agree with its bare words but I doubt very much that we understand the gospel in the same way.
What do you mean by "redeemer"? To what extent does He redeem? What does it mean when you say "through Him"? And what does "salvation" cover? How extensive is salvation, or how "redeemed" are the redeemed?
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Post by grandma on Jul 27, 2006 10:24:43 GMT -5
Scared,
I'm glad that you want to find another group to meet and worship with. I had been in turmoil for a long time and knew that I wanted to leave the meetings but wasn't sure it there was something wrong with me or if the meetings were wrong. I thought that I'd check out some churches; if I felt Jesus there, I'd know that I should stop going to the meetings. If the churches really seemed to be all that I'd heard the workers say they were, I'd stay in the meetings and pray for a "right spirit." I prayed and prayed for God's help in this. Then I looked in the phone book and found that there was an Evangelical Free Church of America that met in a school; of course, that seemed like the place to start!(: First, though, I went online and read all about it, especially its Statement of Faith, which sounded so Biblical. Then, with pounding heart and knocking knees, I went to visit! With a heart pounding with excitement and relief, I left after the service. (Not that there weren't some things that took getting used to!) Now I really began to read the Bible, read about the EFCA's beliefs, and talk with the pastor. I visited other similiar churches, as well, and could have stayed with them. However, the Evangelical Free Church was and still is small, which I like. The pastor is on fire and the people are sincere, faithful in atttending, and wanting to learn more and grow closer to God and each other. I sincerely believe that God listened to my prayers of distress and led me to this little church, where I have remained for five years. We need to be with other believers. So, pray! Do your homework, learning about Bible believing churches, and visit as many churches as you can. Leaving the meetings was the hardest thing I ever did, but I have peace now. You will, too.
Love, Grandma
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Post by selah on Jul 27, 2006 17:48:45 GMT -5
Hi Grandma,
Our son pastors an Evangelical Free Church. My husband and I attend a Pentecostal Church. We visit Ben's church occasionally, and do enjoy it as well. I enjoyed reading your thoughts about EFC. Thanks.
Blessings, Linda
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Post by Scared on Jul 28, 2006 10:10:29 GMT -5
Thank you for sharing which churches you attend. I appreciate what you've told me Selah and Grandma. I remain afraid and uncertain of what to do. I do know I need to continue to pray and remain under God's care.
Love,
Scared
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Post by selah on Jul 28, 2006 11:57:27 GMT -5
Father, I want to pray that you would fill Scared with your Spirit and make him/her so aware of your presence that fear will vanish. Your perfect love casts out all fear, so I pray that you will bring clarity and direction to this dear one who seeks to please you. Thank you Father, in Jesus name...Amen.
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Post by just me on Jul 28, 2006 23:14:16 GMT -5
Thank you to those who have actually answered my question. I was asking what other churches some of you attend. I wasn't asking for opinion on whether or not I should be going to a church or not. I do welcome any other posters who can appropriately respond to my original post. Thanks. I gave a perfectly legitimate answer to your question which was the way I FOUND the church I have been attending for the last 8 years, dont blow off an idea just cuz it sounds flip. I attend a Baptist affiliated church, but honestly, the name on the front door is probably the LEAST important of the things to consider, the message from the pulpit/stage/whatevertheycallitatyourchurch is 1000% MORE important than the name on the front. Find any good Bible believing Bible teaching church, plop down in the seats for a spell ( a few weeks or months ) and see if GOD "speaks" to you, if not, move on to the next one.
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chris
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Post by chris on Jul 29, 2006 15:03:35 GMT -5
Dear Scared, It has taken me 4+ years to get back to church. At this point I don't think I'll ever join another church but I do so enjoy the fellowship of other Christians. A young teller at our bank invited me to her Sunday School class as I had explained to her earlier of my status with my last church. She is a very friendly and wonderful person. Pray and just make an effort. That's what impresses God the most. Good days to you scared, be brave!
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Post by searching on Jul 31, 2006 4:47:37 GMT -5
I am in a similar situation as you are, having left the 2x2 am looking for another way to have fellowship with other Christians. I am not running from God as my professing family like to think, but seeking him. Selah sent me this link www.greatcom.org/laws/english/flash/ it has helped me understand salvation a little better and also gives suggestions for spiritual growth. Check it out, it might help you also.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2006 5:23:13 GMT -5
I believe that there is virtue in spending some time in many different congregational groupings- However, to me there is a danger in choosing a group of "holier than others" folks to spend time with -- And then regarding this time spent with these folks, to be more profitable than time spent with folks we judge to be less righteous.
Jesus seemed to find fault with how some people had spent their time in Matt 25:43-44 "I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. [44] Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?"
They evidently chosen to spend their time with people that they had regarded as more suitable than those where in reality Jesus was found!!
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Nichole M
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I John 1:5 ..... God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
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Post by Nichole M on Jul 31, 2006 10:47:24 GMT -5
I believe that there is virtue in spending some time in many different congregational groupings- However, to me there is a danger in choosing a group of "holier than others" folks to spend time with -- And then regarding this time spent with these folks, to be more profitable than time spent with folks we judge to be less righteous. Jesus seemed to find fault with how some people had spent their time in Matt 25:43-44 "I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. [44] Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?" They evidently chosen to spend their time with people that they had regarded as more suitable than those where in reality Jesus was found!! Edgar, Just wondering - Do you believ that it is ok to attend a church (I'm not meaning and exclusive one but let's say a mainstream christian church) for fellowship and learning of scriptures. But then also take the time to be with those that need help - those that may seem less suitable (your words). Nichole
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2006 13:03:19 GMT -5
Nichole, I regard any time and effort we put into interest, respect and admiration of our fellow man to be well in line with the Christian spirit .. this includes folks in different religious contexts -- it includes folks in business and work environments -- it includes folks in different social contexts including the contexts that 'religious folks' often look down on.
Regarding ourselves as 'helping folks" in different forms of need is, in my my mind not, neccesarily the goal (it can be a privelage)--but it is sharing with them, in the things that they excell in, (and everyone excells at something) where blessing is found - and also where the Christ is to be found even in the unlikely places!!
Edgar
To answer your question --- I personally don´t belong to any specific group in our town -- but I attend services and in social gatherings with a number of different groups. Of course I don´t thing it is wrong to belong -- as long as it doesn't foster the feeling that 'we are better than others groups' (and it can be a risk)
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Post by Zorro on Jul 31, 2006 14:53:39 GMT -5
Edgar,
What you have been saying reminds me of a very beautiful song by Steven Curtis Chapman called What Now:
Verse 1: I saw the face of Jesus In a little orphan girl She was standing in the corner On the other side of the world
And I heard the voice of Jesus Gently whisper to my heart Didn't you say you wanted to find Me Well, here I am, here you are
Chorus: So what now What will you do now that you've found Me? What now What will you do with this treasure you've found
I know I may not look like what you expected But if you'll remember This is right where I said I would be You found me, what now?
Verse 2: And I saw the face of Jesus Down on Sixteenth Avenue He was sleeping in an old car While his mom went looking for food
And I heard the voice of Jesus Gently whisper to my soul Didn't you say you wanted to know me Well, here I am And it's getting cold
Chorus again So what now What will you do now that you've found Me? What now What will you do with this treasure you've found
I know I may not look like what you expected But if you'll remember This is right where I said I would be You found me, what now?
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Post by hawk on Aug 1, 2006 20:13:39 GMT -5
First thing I thought of when I saw this thread (not that any of you care) was the song by ZZ Top I think - I need a new church, one that won't make me sick. One that won't make me hurl in the pew or make a preacher preach schtick. I need a new church, I need a new zone, for all I believe in is the onliest Ho-o-oly One. Etc.
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Post by mrtindrucvionging on Aug 2, 2006 18:16:01 GMT -5
First thing I thought of when I saw this thread (not that any of you care) was the song by ZZ Top I think - I need a new church, one that won't make me sick. One that won't make me hurl in the pew or make a preacher preach schtick. I need a new church, I need a new zone, for all I believe in is the onliest Ho-o-oly One. Etc. Very funny, but I thought of Huey Lewis and the News,,,....when I saw this title. .... why not hurl in the pew, babies can burp whenever they want to, can't they? So why not be able to hurl/ something wrong with hurling?
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pete
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Post by pete on Aug 2, 2006 18:46:56 GMT -5
First thing I thought of when I saw this thread (not that any of you care) was the song by ZZ Top I think - I need a new church, one that won't make me sick. One that won't make me hurl in the pew or make a preacher preach schtick. I need a new church, I need a new zone, for all I believe in is the onliest Ho-o-oly One. Etc. Very funny, but I thought of Huey Lewis and the News,,,....when I saw this title. .... why not hurl in the pew, babies can burp whenever they want to, can't they? So why not be able to hurl/ something wrong with hurling? Actually, I think this was a parody of the Huey Lewis song "I need a new drug" not a ZZ Top song. Pete
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