Social Issues and the Church

I listen to a lot of podcasts.   Some of the podcasts that I listen to are in no particular order:  Sheila Zilinsky, TruNews (Rick Wiles), Hagmann & Hagmann, and the Power Hour.  I especially like when Ted Broer is hosting the Power Hour.   I am mentioning this because one of the podcasts I listened to yesterday had a portion about another Barna Study.   This was the study that I had been looking for when I wrote yesterday's blog.  Some of my favorite guests on the above podcasts are Steve Quayle, Timothy Alberino, Ted Broer, Nathan Leal, Jonathan Cahn, Pastor Lankford, Augusto Perez, LA Marzulli, and Russ Dizdar.  Of course, I don't agree completely with any of them, but these are people who make me think.  That helps me research and delve into deeper studies of what the Bible says.
The study that I heard about was about why Pastors don't touch the social issues of our day.  You can read the study at:  Barna Study Regarding Controversy
I have often wondered why pastors in America don't talk about the issues of the day.   I know some do and to those I say Kudos!  I had somewhat come to the conclusion that they just weren't aware of what was going on.  I know that sounds very simplistic.   I wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt.
According to this study 90% of them state that "the Bible speaks to every one of the issues."  Less than 10% will speak to the issues.  "When researchers ask those pastors what else they are willing to do to get their people active in the political process, Barna said 'it's almost nothing.' "
Why?  Why would this be?  "
"Why the disconnect? According to Barna, the answer is simple. He suggests asking pastors how someone would know if their church is "successful" – which he did.
'There are five factors that the vast majority of pastors turn to [when asked that question]," he explained. "Attendance, giving, number of programs, number of staff, and square footage.' "
What?  Huh?  Are you kidding me?   I do not believe that you can find backing for any of this in the Bible.  Somehow, I think that God's idea of a successful church is far different.   Here are some things that the Bible says about what the church is to do:  the gates of hell will not prevail against the church, laying down our lives for another,  known by our love for one another,  knowing the Word of God (Bible), having mature Christians, going into the world and making disciples of all nations, the gospel preached to every tribe and tongue (every people group), having the fruit of the Spirit, having gifts of the Spirit, knowing what Christ did for us, not being afraid to die for the gospel.   Of course this list could go on and on, but you get the idea.

Matthew 24 - Are We in the End Times?

In Matthew 24, Jesus talks about the signs of the end times.  So lets take a look and see what will happen in the end times.
"And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
² And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
³ And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
⁴ And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you."
--From this we can see that in the end time there will be deception.   That has definitely come true.  Everywhere we turn there is deception.  People are deceived by people who are pushing their views and propaganda.
"⁵ For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."
--This has also happened.  Throughout history there have been people coming and saying that they speak for God.  Some have said that they are the "Messiah". 
"⁶ And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet."
--Throughout history there have been many wars.   However, it seems like since World War II the world has been almost continually at war.
"⁷ For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
⁸ All these are the beginning of sorrows."
--Almost every month we hear of a famine, and earthquake or some awful thing happening somewhere in the world.
"⁹ Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake."
--This is another that has been almost continual throughout history.  However, more Christians are being martyred for their faith now, than ever in history.  
"¹⁰ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another."
--This may be debatable.  However, it seems like people are very easily offended at this time.   I believe the news bear witness that there is a lot of hate as well
"¹¹ And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many."
--The list of false prophets in recent history is long.  To name a few:  Jim Jones, Rev. Moon etc
"¹² And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
¹³ But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
--Sin is definitely on the rise.  It seems at times that people do not have love that should come naturally.  An example would be a parents love for their children.
"¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
--This has not happened as the end has not come.  However, the gospel has been preached in much of the world. 
"¹⁵ When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
¹⁶ Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
¹⁷ Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
¹⁸ Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
¹⁹ And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
²⁰ But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:"
--There is debate amongst theologians as to whether or not this has taken place.  Some say this will take place in the future.  Others believe that it was when Antiochus Epiphanes interrupted temple sacrifices between 168 and 165 B.C. The abomination would be when he sacrificed a pig on the altar in the temple complex.
 ^"21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
²² And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
²³ Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
²⁴ For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
--Great troubles in the world, like there never have been before.  Trouble so bad that unless God shortened the time, no flesh would be left on earth.  People saying they are the Christ and all other false things.  These false prophets will do signs an wonders. I believe we are at the beginning of this time.
"²⁵ Behold, I have told you before.
²⁶ Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
²⁷ For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
²⁸ For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
²⁹ Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:"
--This has not happened yet in my opinion.
"³⁰ And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
³¹ And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."
--This also has not happened yet.  The Son of man has not been seen in the clouds of heaven.
"³² Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
³³ So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
³⁴ Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
³⁵ Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
³⁶ But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."
--Here I believe Jesus is saying that like one looks to nature to see what the season is, we can look for these signs to know that the end of the age is near.
"³⁷ But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
³⁸ For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
³⁹ And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
⁴⁰ Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
⁴¹ Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
⁴² Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
⁴³ But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
⁴⁴ Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."
--It will be as in the days of Noah that people will be only concerned with pleasure.  There is much more in this verse that we will cover in a future blog. But for this discussion, our world is getting very close to meeting this requirement.
"⁴⁵ Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
⁴⁶ Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
⁴⁷ Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
⁴⁸ But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
⁴⁹ And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
⁵⁰ The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
⁵¹ And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
--This is a goal.  We want to be told by God on that day that we were a good and faithful servant.






So we see in the end times there will be:
* Deception
*Many coming in the name of God saying "I am he", deceiving many
*Wars and rumours of wars
*Famines, pestilences and earthquakes
*Being killed and hated for Christ's name sake.
*Many are offended and betrayal and filled with hate.
*False prophets
*Sin abounds, love grows cold
*Gospel preached to all the world.
*Abomination of desolation
*Tribulation and deception so great that even the saints could be deceived.
*The sun is darkened and moon shall not give her light, stars fall, and the heavens are shaken.
*sign of Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, earth mourns, angels with a great sound of a trumpet and gather his elect
*It will be like it was in the days of Noah.

Not all of these have been fulfilled, but most have or are happening in our world right now.   I believe we can accurately conclude we are in the end times.

How I Know My Heart is Cold

Before I continue with my story, I want to tell you another story.  I am putting in an excerpt of a story of a young man's life.   I first heard of this story on a conference I was streaming.   By that I mean I was watching it online.   A young teenager was telling this story.  She told it with conviction.  It was easy to see that she was very moved regarding the content.  She had been deeply affected for days.  The man in the story was a Welsh revivalist born in 1878.  His name was Evan Roberts.  Here was a man who loved God with more passion than most of us can even imagine.
After his conversion, the leaders of his church wanted Evan to go to school to learn to be a minister.  He did not want to go because he was afraid that he would lose the "communion"  In other words, he was afraid that he would "backslide" or lose the closeness he had with God.   Here is the excerpt:  "“I got up Sunday. The Rev. Seth Joshua was there. Tuesday evening there was a prayer meeting, and Sydney Evans and others came to see me, and asked if I would go to the meeting. At that moment I felt the Spirit coming upon me, and so irresistible did He come that I rushed to the chapel without my topcoat. The influence began. I was ready to pray - to pray for power to the young women who were there from New Quay, lest the people should wait upon them. I had prayed for them in the house on Monday night. I was not allowed to pray publicly on Tuesday evening. That day I had asked where the devil was. I was hard. I could look at the Cross without feeling. I wept for the hardness of my heart, but could not weep for Christ. I loved the Father and the Spirit, but I did not love the Son."
How amazing is this.  How many people enter churches every day, look at the cross and have no feeling.  Perhaps they do not even notice it is there.  This is something to ponder.  It is time to search our hearts.   How much of our day do we devote to God?
Here is how I know my heart has grown cold.
#1)  The above.   I do not weep when I see the cross.  To some the very idea may seem repugnant.  But I believe my heart and the hearts of my fellow Americans have grown cold.
#2)  When I hear of Christians being martyred, I pause, but go on with my life.  I don't cry out for God to protect them.  I don't pray for those doing the killing.
#3)  Regarding #2 - do I believe that God answers prayer?  That He hears me and cares when I pray?  If so, why don't I pray more?  Why don't I pray more for my friends, family, co-workers, and people I pass by.
#4)  I don't care enough about people to tell them the truth about God.  I'm not talking about what we called "Bible Thumpers" in the 80s.   I'm talking about sharing with people how God has changed my life.
#5)  Excusing myself for sin, instead of dealing with it.  For me, eating healthy and exercising are areas that I know I must heed the Lord.
#6)  Hardening my heart against people that I interact with.  This would include brushing someone off that wants to talk with me, or monopolizing a conversation instead of listening to what the other person has to say.
#7)  Harboring unforgiveness.  This isn't as much of a problem as it has been in the past.  However, I felt it is a way that does show if my heart is cold.
#8)  Denying that my heart has gone cold.

These are just a few ways that I have found upon self-examination.  Other people may have a completely different list.  I daresay that #8 is a problem for most Christians.  I understand as I was there for many years.  It is easier to think everything is ok with me and God than to face the areas that need change.   I hope you and I will let God into our hearts and obey what He says.

Church: Open Letter to Church Leadership

I heard a heartbreaking statistic today.  It crushed me, I knew that it is true.   I don't like statistics because they can and often are manipulated.  I believe they are often used to manipulate people.   Nevertheless when I heard this one, it cut right to my heart.  A recent poll conducted by the Barna Group reveals that 46% of church-going Americans claim their lives have not changed at all due to their time spent in the pews.
A recent poll conducted by the Barna Group reveals that 46% of church-going Americans claim their lives have not changed at all due to their time spent in the pews.   The Barna Group is one of the most trusted organizations for statistics.

Read more: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/blackwhiteandgray/2012/01/the-church-has-no-effect-on-your-life/#ixzz3R4WRXnbg

This is appalling.   However, I believe that I understand why this is true.

First of all, the church has become a form of entertainment.   The un-churched are not interested in entertainment.  They have real entertainment.  They don't need to go be entertained on Sunday, because they have football, NASCAR,  TV, movies etc.
I believe that C.H. Spurgeon had it right when he said,  "A time will come when instead of shepherds feeding the sheep, the church will have clowns entertaining the goats." ~ C.H. Spurgeon
"Secondly, the church has largely turned it's back on the problems of the country and the world.  Sure we may pick one or two areas we talk about here and there but we don't talk about the economy that is about to collapse, we don't talk about the Islamic infiltration of our country.   We don't seem to care that villages in Niger were recently burnt, killing many Christians.  Or that Christians around the world are being martyred for their faith.  How about how we are sacrificing our infants on the altars of Baal and Molech?   How the film industry is so filthy that the Christians should be appalled.  But no, we go watch their movies, paying our money to the very people we should be denouncing.    As if this is not bad enough, we export our sins to the world.  No wonder Islam calls us (the USA) the whore of the world.Yet, the very fact that shariah law is creeping into the laws of this nation should make us wake up.The real tragedy is that Christians are not being prepared for what is taking place in this nation and the world.   If you study history, can you see how our nation has changed?  How we are becoming apostate? 

What is happening is a spiritual problem.  If the church does not step up and take action, someone else will.  The church will be judged for what we allowed to happen on our watch.

The answer is repentance.  Pure and simply, it must start with the church.  Repentance means turning away.   It is not enough to says "Sorry" and go on with the same lifestyle.   It is almost impossible to tell the church from the world.  Perhaps we don't use the same swearwords, but we dress the same, go to the same movies, use those movies inside the church.  Instead we should be like the 7 wise virgins who were preparing and prepared for the return of the bridegroom.

I believe that in the near future you will see a division between what Jesus called the sheep and the goats.   It is the pastor's (shepherd) job to protect and disciple the sheep.   God considers this an important job with dire consequences for failure.

One final quote from Spurgeon:
Sin and Hell are married unless repentance proclaims the divorce." ~ C.H. Spurgeon

Repentance is not raising your hand during an altar call (shouldn't be called altar calls anymore) or by saying a prayer.   Repentance is turning away from sin.  As was in the case of Jacob/Israel, this often involves wrestling.
If anyone reading this needs more information on how to repent of your sins and put Jesus in charge of your life, please leave a comment with your email and I will email you with more information and attempt to answer any questions you may have.   I want you to know upfront that being a Christian (Christ-like one) is not easy.   It is worth it, but not easy.

Of course, if this doesn't apply to you, please disregard.

Sources:
http://www.acommonword.com/
http://apprising.org/2012/02/28/john-piper-on-rick-warrens-chrislam/

Church: Why I Hate Statistics...and Manipulation

Have you even been listening to a speaker and they start spitting out statistics like a copier produces copies?
It is disconcerting when you are listening to someone you trust and they start talking in statistics.   To me, that makes me suspicious of whatever it is they are trying to convey. Generally speaking, people start with the statistics to make their viewpoint look credible. I am a bit different than most churchgoers, but you probably already knew that.
I took a statistics class many years ago. Most of what I learned I have forgotten. One thing has stayed with me throughout the years. Our class was told that one can take any set of statistics and make them support your supposition. Isn't that very interesting. Statistics can be manipulated, just as they can be used to manipulate people. I understand there are reputable firms that do studies and are careful to use statistics wisely. However, when people are trying to influence others, they tend to utilize the tools they have or think they have.
It seems to me that the very ones who are suppose to protect their congregations are instead using manipulation. Unfortunately this happens a lot in the church.   I think most everyone knows when they are being manipulated.   There are times when we don't realize what is happening until it's too late.  Christians must be discerning without being suspicious.  This is something that we can pray and ask God to give us.  He promises that He will not withhold any good thing from us.
I had a situation recently, when I didn't realize what was happening until after the fact.  This person literally attacked, accusing me of something untrue.   Others that were there told me that they know that what the other person said was not true.  Yet I was troubled inside.  It was some time later I realized that the person foisted off on me her opinion.  She did it in such a way, that I knew I did not do what I was accused of, yet I had this huge need to bring clarity to all around me.   This is one way that people can manipulate you. 
Another happened one day when I got drawn into another persons drama.  As a result, I lost time that I couldn't afford to lose.
My suggestion is to ask God for protection and discernment.   And do not believe every statistic you hear.

Church: Part 1-Background

As I have stated a few times already, when I started this journey, I had no idea where it would lead.  I was born by and raised by Christians.  I went to church 3 times a week most of my growing up years.  Although I never heard it said then, it was like if the church doors were open, you went.   I never resented my parents for taking me to church.  I actually thrived on it and loved church.   Looking back, I was a Vacation Bible School addict.  I went to every one I was allowed to go to.  For those unfamiliar with Vacation Bible School, it is usually a week in the summer where for 2 hours a day , young ones go to church and learn about God.
I am stating all this because most of my life, I would never have believed a day would come when I would not want to go to church.   Sure I'm old enough to know better, but I do not look forward to Sunday anymore.   Last Sunday, I just could not make myself go to church.   This has caused me to look inside, and find out why.
One of the main reasons that I have "church phobia" is that I have become "cold" by going to church.  This scares me because in the book of Revelation, it is written "So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth! (Revelation 3:16).   Ugh!!  I do not want to be vomited out of God's mouth.  No way can that be good.   But even more is the fact that I love God!  I want to be pleasing.  But to be pleasing, I must get past lukewarm and get hot!
I know you are wondering how I can connect my 'coldness' with the church.  It isn't from a lack of reading or listening.  I read a lot.  I also listen to many podcasts during the week.   Many times on Sunday, I watch several churches as they stream over the internet.  I try to incorporate what I hear into my life.  I do not want to be deceived as it says in the book of James.  James talks of those who hear the word but do not do it.

I see the same thing in the "church" all over the USA.  We are becoming cookie cutter Christians.   If we can be called Christians.  Christian means "Christ-like".  If we are lukewarm or cold are we "Christ-like"?

Here is what I see as "cookie cutter" churches:
Clockdown before the service begins
Dimmed lighting during worship and possibly the message.
A message from the pastor that is cute, maybe themed, but one that does not encourage maturity in Christ
People get "saved" by saying a prayer  (usually the prayer is pretty much the same each Sunday)
Church goers are encouraged to go to a connect group (also called small group or cell groups)
No mention is made about "social causes", such as Christians being killed by Isis or their villages burnt in Niger, etc
Church goers bombarded with statistics to prove how good and wonderful the 'church' is
Those who have ideas outside of the 'box' get attacked
No negativism - never is anything said of things that could be construed as negative
Church leaders have titles like Lead Pastor, Senior Pastor, Worship Leader etc
Having a stage (used to be called a platform)
Those on stage look like the world
Focus on entertainment
Focus on bringing people into the 'church' as opposed to going out of the church to bring God to people.
 

I want to reiterate that I am not against churches.   This is not about one church, it is about a trend I see in churches.  I hear from people in various parts of the USA and the stories I hear have the similarities mentioned above.

Forgetting:  The spirit of religion that creeps into the church and into my heart if I do not guard my heart.

Remembering:  It is all about God.  He didn't ask me to do all these things.  He called me to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul and mind!