church

The True Church is No Longer Found in Buildings

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The other day as seen across social media a Methodist minister proudly proclaimed to the world that this person has decided to announce to the world that they were a transgender.

This was not the first I had encountered lies from the Methodist denomination. When I was 18, I went to the Methodist church that was built right behind my home back then. You see I was starting to search for God through Jesus Christ back at that age. However, I had not yet accepted Christ or been filled with the Holy Spirit yet. That didn’t happen till a few years later, but that is a different story. Right now, I am talking about the Methodist. Well, I went to the Bible study part of the services that were held by this minister wearing robes. The first thing out of his mouth: “The Book of Revelation is nothing but a fairy tale.”

That was forty-seven years ago, and I still remember it to this day. Mainly because I was reading the book of Revelation at that time. Striving to make sense of it. Coming to understand this book within the Bible is still something I strive to do. But as we get closer to the soon return of Christ, I understand enough to just allow things to unfold on their own.

However, this little sojourn into my past has taken me off course a bit. So, I will get back on topic. The Word of God says this:

Romans 16:17-20 NKJV – Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Denomination are divisions and offenses are what the first Methodist “minister” did at the beginning of today’s discussion. The True Body of Christ is not found in buildings called “churches” as I showed with the last message I posted. ( https://dreamwalker1960.com/2025/12/03/your-list-of-godly-achievements-within-the-building-called-a-church/ )

Churches are nothing but merchants trying to sell “salvation.” The True body of Christ is actually found on social media and the internet. It is here that I have been since 2014 striving to spread the True Gospel. Being a voice in the wilderness. I learned as time went on, that I wasn’t the only voice in the wilderness. This is why I know the True Body of Christ can be found no longer in buildings that create division and are led by people only seeking to fill their pockets with your money and never seeking to give you true salvation. Just as it was two thousand years ago when Christ first walked upon the earth.

Matthew 23:2-15 NKJV – saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

All the buildings called “churches” do is turn those that attend into Pharisees. Damning them to the lake of fire and never truly to salvation. They prove this when they make statements like: “When you stand before God on Judgement Day.”

None, who are True Disciples of Christ will stand before God on “Judgment Day.” For THE Judgment Day is the Great White Throne Judgement and is the only Judgement. Any who are True Disciples of Christ will have been called into heaven before this and given white robes and then come down with Christ and joined Him during His thousand-year reign. Not to be judged but to judge.

Revelation 20:4-6 NKJV – And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Those that will  partake in the raptures are those that ARE of the first resurrection.

Revelation 20:6 NKJV – Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

“Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power.”

“Over such the second death has no power.”

This is a direct statement that those that are raptured will not be part of the Great White Throne Judgement. Therefore, any who teaches otherwise are false teachers and someone that needs to be avoided and shunned. These are those that sit upon the dais and stand behind the pulpit. In their expensive suits that those that sit in the pews paid for. For they have told those in the pews they can keep 90% of their earthly wealth as long as they get their 10%, which is opposite to what is taught in the Word of God. (1 Timothy 6:6-19, Matthew 6:19-24) They send off their missionaries who teach the same lies and then leave those they convert to fend for themselves. Just as they leave those that come to the buildings called “churches” to fend for themselves. Never truly teaching them the True Word of God to live a needs-only lifestyle and to follow the commandments which were not removed by Christ going to the cross. By the way only those commandments covering sacrifices were removed. No others. Like for example not to get tattoos (Leviticus 19:28) is still in effect for it is something that those of the world seek after. This is verified here:

Romans 12:1-2 NKJV – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Most that now go to the buildings called “churches” will not be part of the first resurrection. Christ Himself knew this and spoke of it in His way for the time that He spoke of it during the Sermon on the Mount:

Matthew 7:13-23 NKJV – “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Stop seek after God in buildings called “churches” for they only teach division and cause offenses against the True Word of God. They teach to horde your earthly wealth and not to live a needs-only lifestyle. They teach you to keep and seek after mammon which is defined as:

Riches (jewelry and fancy clothes), money, possessions (objects that gather dust and vehicles [which include luxury cars, trucks, RVs if they are not your actual home, motorcycles, boats, jet skis etc.]) and property (owning huge houses and/or multiple houses [ once again RVs count as a house] as well as land filled with nothing useful to those in need).

Seek the Truth of the Word of God by STUDYING not just reading the Bible for yourself. Learn the meaning of the Words as they were originally placed upon parchment thousands of years ago and have only changed 2% in all that time. For there are well over 5000 ancient versions of the Word of God and shows that those mere 2% changes are mainly the use of different names for those found within the Bible.

Stop falling for the false propaganda that due to that fact that there were multiple human scribes of the Word of God there was only ONE author and that is God Himself.

2 Timothy 3:16-4:5 NKJV – All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

And know this final fact. Any who supports and commits to the alphabet club are not welcome into heaven per Romans 1:18-32. And if you look at those that do support them you will see this behavior within them:

Romans 1:26-32 NKJV – For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

They are not welcome into heaven by their own actions and choices especially when they say: “I am a Christian.”

For they will awaken to the Great White Throne Judgment and when they do so they will weep for they are subject to the second death unlike those that were part of the first resurrection.

Revelation 20:11-15 NKJV – Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Amen

Blog for Podcast #224 (Glorifying the Self)

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Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. You can use most podcast platforms if you wish to listen. All you need to do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

In many of the buildings called “churches” you will encounter those that teach, those that preach and those that listen to teachings which instruct those that listen to seek to improve the self. Glorify the self, worship the self.

This is what the Bible says about seeking the self.

James 3:14-15 NKJV – But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.

Those teaching to glorify the self are teaching falsely. They listen not to God. Through the Holy Spirit, but to demons pretending to be the Holy Spirit.

They teach children that they can be the best that they can be. But, where is God in this statement?

Per what the Holy Spirit Who inspired James to write those words spoken earlier shows clearing that this teaching does come from God at all. Therefore, God is not present.

Yet these teachings are taught in buildings called “churches.” So. It’s just a building, and since they teach man-made teachings inspired by demons it just shows that these buildings are just that: buildings. Full of people once or twice a week seeking to make themselves glorified in their own minds. Showing they are earthly, sensual, demonic.

Many are upset at hearing these things. The mere fact that they are upset is validation they do not listen to God but their flesh.

Galatians 5:17-21 NKJV – For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Hearing the truth is painful at times. But required if you truly seek sanctification.

What does the Bible truly teach? To answer that we need to understand true gifts given by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 12:1-8 NKJV – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

“Not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think.”

This shows that we are not to glorify ourselves. In fact, if anything we are to glorify all others. By thinking of them before we even consider ourselves. This can never be accomplished by glorifying ourselves. By glorifying the self those that do this become haughty. In fact, this is the complete opposite teaching, which truly identifies it as evil. For anything opposing God is just that, evil.

Seeking to glorify the self creates a haughty spirit. What does the Bible say about being haughty?

Proverbs 16:18 NKJV – Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 18:12 NKJV – Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.

Proverbs 21:4 NKJV – A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin.

When glorifying the self, you gain a haughty look and also a proud heart.

Many that say they follow Christ do their best not to do anything in the OT. This is actually counter to what Jesus Christ Himself taught.

Matthew 5:17-19 NKJV – “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

The laws removed by the cross were those governing sacrifices. No other laws were removed. How we are to live and interact with others has not changed. Right here some will say: what about slavery?

Then they aren’t paying attention to the greatest commandments:

Matthew 22:37-40 NKJV – Jesus said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

“You shall love you neighbor are yourself.”

Would you enslave yourself? That question should silence everyone. But it won’t, because their opinion is greater than anyone else…. especially God Himself. For they glorify themselves. They are greater than anyone and anything….. again… especially God Himself.

That is what is being taught by those in the buildings called “churches” that tell those that listen to glorifying themselves. That God is within them and they can achieve anything because of it.

Achieve what? Gain earthly wealth and status? Seek esteem in the sight of other humans?

Luke 16:13-17 NKJV – “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.

Mammon – G3126 – mamónas – riches, money, possessions, property.

Isn’t this what they are teaching those that listen to seek after by glorifying themselves? To seek after riches, after money, after possessions, property. Yes, it is. Then who is it that will reward them.

Luke 4:6 NKJV – And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.”

Therefore, since only Satan can give earthly rewards, then it is Satan that gives them these things. This is verified in these verses from 1 John

1 John 2:15-16 NLT – Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

“These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”

And as we just established Satan was given authority over this temporal plain.

2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT – Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

Any who teach and think that glorifying the self is blind to the Truth, which shows that they are not followers of Christ. Even though they go to a building called a “church.”

The church is not a building. It is those that truly follow Christ and His teachings found within the Bible which as has been shown here are opposite those that teach to glorify the self.

What is needed is to is to stop trying to glorify the self and start to Glorify God through Jesus Christ. It is He is that only being that deserves to be glorified. It even says so in the Lord’s Prayer.

Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV – In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses , As we forgive those who trespass against us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

“For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.”

I have updated this myself to this: For Yours is the kingdom and You have all the power and You Lord God Creator of the Universe deserve all and only the glory forever and ever. Amen.

No other being should be glorified in any way shape or form other than our Creator. Therefore, those that say to glorify the self are saying that they wish to glorify themselves over their God. Thus saying they are greater than God Himself.

They must repent and turn from their ways. And not glorify the self but God through Jesus Christ. They must leave those buildings that teach that they glorify the self for they worship Satan not God. Don’t deny this Truth for it is part of the repentance required. For as long as you listen to false teachings you will fall further and further away from your salvation.

Time is running out. For the first rapture is near and they will learn the hard way that if they don’t repent now they will see that they have been left behind. All because they abandoned God to glorify themselves.

God Bless

Blog for podcast #11 (How should a wealthy Christian live? part 2)

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Intro
Welcome to another podcast and I am Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read today’s broadcast and all previous podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com.
Today we will continue on last week’s message about how we are living in a time that is wealthier than any other in history throughout the world, which labels this era we are living in as that of the “lukewarm.” This means that all Christians throughout the industrialized nations are all wealthy.

Discussion

Today I wish for those listening to take a step back from the world they now live within and take a moment to think. Think about the question that is the title to today’s and last week’s podcast.
“How should a wealthy Christian live?”
Now with that question in mind I wish to read to you from the second chapter of Acts:
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
What I read to you is how we are to live in Christendom. Do we live this way? The answer for the most part is “no.”
Many gather in a church, but churches can be too big or lacking the truth or both. However, this is not what was envisioned for the Body of Christ as is shown in this verses above. The closest we see any living this way today are the Amish.
This however is how we should be living. In a community that works lives and shares together. Should we go to the extent that the Amish do? Having no cars, no phone. That is for each community to discuss with themselves. Will communities actually listen to me and try to live this way? Honestly today. I doubt it. Why?
It is because we are to spoiled and think more of our own wants and desires over those of a community. However, that is the ideal we should strive to seek for. Again, Why?
Because we see that it works per the Bible. This living in a close knit community was made easy in the first three centuries. Once again why? Because they were being persecuted and they could seek comfort in the comradery from the communities they made throughout the Roman Empire.
Today, Christian communities throughout the world are coming more and more under attack. From outright violence to being ordered not to congregate. One reason this is because these communities are fractured and spread apart. Not only because they live apart, but because many truly do not connect in a spiritual manner.
Sure they meet up once maybe twice a week. They say a few words to each other. Then go their separate ways. Going back to the world, which without realizing is their real master. Thus many who feel and believe they are steadfast true believers of Jesus Christ are in reality the lukewarm. Walking a line between God and the luxuries and temptations of the world. But by the mere fact that they are walking this line they don’t realize they are lost.
The verses that I read at the beginning of today’s podcast are the solution. Close knit communities. Not separated, but together in one area. Sharing amongst themselves and those in need. Living their lives together within the same area. Still going to their jobs, but when they come home they come to one community. Be it an apartment complex to a housing development. All share the expenses so they can gather the surplus to be used for the will of God.
Now here is a good point to make something clear. Last week I said it is wrong to give a tithe to a brick and mortar building called a church. Hebrews 7 makes it clear that we are to tithe ten percent to God. It is by giving it to a brick and mortar building that has allowed false teachers to come into being. Allowing them to live high off the hog while creating a flock of people who are without any doubt 100% lukewarm.
These false teachers have convinced their followers that seeking after worldly wealth is biblical. If you remember the very last verse I read last week (Mathew 6:24), it make it clear that to seek after money is to make money their god. Then by loving money they show that they hate God. So they are not seeking to live their lives the way that our Savior Jesus Christ seeks for us to have.
My suggestion, as was made clear last week, is to live totally opposite the way of the money seekers, the prosperity teachers. My recommendation was to live off the least amount of money that comes into your life as is physically possible. The more money this world gives you in your job or inheritance the less of it you need to live upon. Causing the majority to be set aside to be used as funds to help those people within the body of Christ, your fellow Christians that are in need of help. As established in 1 Timothy 6. We should also help those that are in true need outside the body of Christ. For we are instructed to help all the needy.
Following this suggestion not only allows us to have the ten percent, which is asks of us in Hebrews 7 it gains access to even more than that. All to be used for the Glory of God through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. As we live in a community of our fellows the need for a fancy building to meet in become unnecessary. Sure it does say in the verses above that they went to the Temple. However, it also states that they met in home to perform the sacrament of the Communion. Why they did this was due to the persecution they were experiencing at that time. Nevertheless, having the need for a fancy and large building to accomplish this gathering together is shown not to be needed. Since the most important part of their worship of the Son of God was done at their homes.
We were instructed to baptize and Christ during the Last Supper gave us Communion. These are all the ceremonies we are required to do to show we are followers of Jesus Christ. There is no need for statues or large building to gather within. There is no call for this. These are all the actions of humanity, which is a form of self-glorification. We could even meet in the middle of nowhere and that would be enough to worship our Creator through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.
We need a community to lean upon to seek comfort as well as seek strength from when we are weak within our own lives. This is shown without question in Acts 2. A community that is closer together then they are today. We are told to fellowship but not just once or twice a week, but daily. That is why we need to be closer together.
Can we do this in social media?
That is an excellent question. And one I honestly don’t know how to answer. As I said I have been called to be a teacher. That is a question that an overseer needs to answer.
“What is an overseer?” someone just asked. That is something that is in my job description to answer.
1 Timothy 3:1 – This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
The office of bishop – G1984 – episcope – inspection (for relief); by implication superintendence [Strong’s]
An overseeing, visitation, a judgement [Bible Hub]
This is the true meaning of the word that was made into “bishop” by those who translated the KJV of the Bible since at that time the Catholic Church mentality still held sway over them. So the actual word should have been made “overseer.” As an example of this look to the NLT of the verse. Now it just says “church leader.”
Here though we get back to a mentality that is again ingrained into today’s society the need for a building called a “church.” So the use of the word “church leader” is inaccurate as well. Their true title should be “overseer” or even “shepherd.” Since we are dealing with a “flock” of Christians that would seem to be appropriate.
Conclusion
So to end this teaching today. We will revisit the four points of how a wealthy Christian should strive to live their lives.
1) They do work that is good toward the will of God.
2) That they seek to be virtuous and thus valuable to God
3) They be ready to give willingly and generously of their money that has been given to them by God at a moment’s notice
4) That the make it known verbally that they are ready to be generous to those within the Christian community and showing no restraint in how much they are willing to give.
We should possible now add a fifth.
That they seek to live together in one close knit community. So that they can seek comfort and strength from one another.
If we truly seek to do this we will all become closer to God through our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ. In doing so we will give Glory to our Creator and thus be a light unto the world as we are instructed to be.
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Mathew 5:14-16

God Bless

Segregation

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Now this is not about what those on the left and in the black community are doing in the colleges and universities. This is about those that go to church and go into their little groups and who they “hangout with.” This self-segregation is actually nowhere to be found within the Bible.
Now as was hit upon in a previous post (Gather together ), there is really nothing that states we must go to church. Now here you will see and have the typical protest and also the mention of the seven churches within Revelation. Also the hierarchy of a “church” in Ephesians chapter four. However, has was established in Matthew 18. Christ’s purpose of gathering together was for the purpose of a set goal within the Body of Christ. Now again this can point to a “church” in the original meaning of the word. Nevertheless, modern day churches no longer fit this model. Now, for this part, they are nothing more than social clubs. A gathering place to gossip and talk sports, not God or the Bible. Sure some person stands on a dais or in a pulpit and talks about what appears to be a Biblical teaching. But most of the time in most churches this is not the case anymore.
Within this social club you will note that there are groups that hangout together. They will separate themselves from the others gathered there for the so-called worship of God. Yet they are not truly “gathering together.”
This self-imposed segregation is actually against the teachings of the Bible. It is something that must be addressed by those very leaders that are shown to be in control in Ephesians. Yet they do not. They do not wish to upset the status quo. Why? Because it will upset their membership of their social club and drive some of the gathered groups away. I would say let them. The bigger the “church,” the less actually gets done for God. Mainly due to the segregation that has taken place within these social clubs.
Do all get to learn the same lessons of God as other? No for Bible study groups are segregated.
Does the leadership instruct the members that talk of sports is not allowed within the building? No for that would drive most men out of the building.
Does the leadership instruct the members not to talk business? No, for once again this would drive away those within the club.
So as you can see. This is not the “churches” the Bible refers to and in actuality makes a lukewarm community. Thus fulfilling the discerption of the last of the seven churches in Revelation.
3:14 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation: 15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. 20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. 22 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”

Which is more important? The person sitting in the pew or the soul of the person

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re-post
From what I have witnessed throughout my involvement in many “churches” is they say the latter but it is really the former that is more important to them.
If they really sought to help the person to Christ they would have established long ago a method of outreach to those asking for God’s help and salvation. This lack of outreach is a major reason “churches” are shrinking and also why many look down upon Christianity as a whole.
I am reminded of the line from the movie “God is not dead” in which the professor says “The most ardent Atheist was once a Christian” (this may be paraphrased so forgive the inaccuracy). The reason behind this falling away is these people come into a “church” and they see people saying one thing and then living a life totally opposite that which they say they are doing in “church.” This is called hypocrisy and is the core of what is called a “lukewarm.”
In Revelation 3:15-16 we see what Christ thinks of the “lukewarm.” He said it would be best to be cold or against God then to be lukewarm. For He would spit out from His body those that are lukewarm.
This hypocrisy is not limited to those that go to many places that call themselves “churches.” It is also found within their leadership who have become no better than the Pharisees of the time when Christ walked upon this planet. For what is more important to them is not their congregation, but the money in the tithing. The almighty dollar is now their god, not the true God they feign to represent.
This is extremely noticeable in large churches where it is easy to have nonsense sermons that do not give any real growth for those listening. They encourage any and all to attend for their goal is not the soul but a new house or car or even more bling.
Many of today’s “churches” really aren’t. They are simply a type of social club and within them are their clichés and status structure, but no real nourishment of the soul and its need to connect with the Creator of the universe, God.
People use them to network and plan events meant for the world but not God. Instead of teaching what is sin and the need to stop sinning these social clubs encourage and even celebrate sin. All the time thinking they are one with God, but in reality are on the highway to hell.
This is what those truly seeking Christ come into these places and all they see is the world and so they turn their back upon God not realizing that what they witness was not Christianity, but what it actually was…. the world. So they leave disheartened and discouraged not realizing that it was not true Christianity they had witnessed, but the lukewarm.
To Christ the lukewarm are so distasteful to him that He rejects them yet they go on living as if they are fine with God living in their hypocritical lives.
This is exactly what Satan wants to see and so makes it easy for the lukewarm to be placated and content in their fantasy they call “Christianity” For they have fallen for the fable and are happy to be one with it. These social clubs are worse than prosperity churches, for at least with prosperity churches you can easily see the lie, but in the social clubs it isn’t that easy for the lie is just under the surface hidden just under true scripture, but these scriptures never tell those going that they are sinning against God for to say anything bad would make people leave and with them their money.
What is really sad is that there are more social clubs then real churches and so those that see the hypocrisy and have found the Lord leave them. Seeking to find a true church home, but rarely do. So those that can truly help those seeking to find Christ are not brought together as they once were when a church was the church which causes those that could have been saved or saved sooner to suffer in their loneliness and sorrow.

It is time to let churches die.

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Now let me say this up front. I am not saying end belief in God that is a must, which more need to come and acknowledge.
What I am saying is that the businesses called “churches” must end.
It is churches that have caused so many to lose their faith and belief in God in the first place for well over the last one hundred years.
What is needed is the return to living room churches or even park churches.
Okay before I go any further let’s make this word “church” end here.
The meaning no longer fits what it was originally nearly two thousand years ago. Now it has been perverted and changed into something that is a pseudo-religion, not the Body of Christ itself. The buildings today which are called by this name in most cases no longer teach the Gospel. All they do is teach feel good messages to keep the pews full and the money raking in. It is this current image of “churches” that has allow those false prophets like Osteen to flourish and to become rich off the suckers that come into their buildings or mail in their hard earned cash for a supposed “blessings” that will never come.
I think going with the Quaker or Amish wording is more suited. “Meeting.”
The Meeting can be at anyone’s house or as I a mentioned parks and such places that are open and free. It can change weekly.
This is to help get people to once again focus on the real reason to be gathering together. To honor and worship God through the love and grace of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ and to truly fellowship, not socialize or network. Fellowship, by reinforcing people’s faith and belief, console and reinforce when there is doubt and lack of understanding.
As to the pastor issue. I feel more and more that any person associated with an organization or organized religion should not be sought after, but at the sametime should not be rejected either. However, they should not be in charge all the time either. There should be a group though that does meet to organize where they wish to meet, but keep at the same time every week. Each person in the group taking turns to teach those at the Meeting their own chosen topic from the Bible. No ongoing messages that make you have to come back every week for several weeks. All that is designed to do is keep you coming back to tithe more.
Why is there a need to let churches die? The answer is obvious to all that have eyes to see. They only serve as social clubs full of gossips and football stories, when or if the message of God is taught it is so watered down and useless that none grow from it. This is why so many leave the church now. They see the hypocrisy and come to a point of saying I can learn more outside of religion. Never realizing that what they have witnessed is not truly God or His Son, but humans parading to be more than what they are.
That why Meetings need to come to be. Small groups of no more than twenty max, smaller preferred. All with one goal in mind. Coming to know the Bible better and in so doing come to know true salvation.

Learn the Bible, know the Bible

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The other day I read a post by someone that had become dumbfounded and surprised when a pastor out right lied.
She knew this on two fronts. First it was an actual personal attack against her since she is a published author, the second was that what he said was not Biblical. However he presented what he said as if it were Biblical fact.
This is not the first time someone of “authority” with a religious organization lied, nor will it be the last.
Please note the use of “authority” in quotation marks. Why this is, is due to one major factor. There is only one being in authority within the church and that is the Trinity. The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
You will also note that the first time I mentioned “authority” it was followed by a reference to “religious organization.”
Religions are human made groups that strive to reach God through their group’s interpretation of the Bible or some other text people ascribe to a religious figure, be they Islamic, Buddhist or some other religious group.
In the case of Christianity it is extremely important to know and understand the Bible. The main reason is of all the “religions” out there only Christianity had the founder of it crucified and then resurrected three days later. Also the fact that over forty prophesies were written in the Old Testament known as the Torah predicting Jesus Christ and what He would do. All were fulfilled. The odds of this happening is 1 in 10 to the 15th power.
So knowing the Bible and understanding the true meaning within the Bible will not allow you to be led down the easy path instead of the narrow and arduous path.
Too many assume that the person within the pulpit, or on the dais of a church is fully prepared and knows full well all that is required to be placed in the spot. This is not necessarily true, as this sister in Christ came to understand.
Then why go to church?
That is an excellent question.
The answer is complicated. We are instructed to gather together within the Bible. Why? To help encourage, strengthen and support our fellow Christians.
I honestly have no idea when it became required to have someone given authority to stand at the front of a congregation of people.
The Bible does state that there will be people given a ministry by God in Ephesians 4. These are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Who to quote:
“Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the body of Christ.”
However it does not say they are to gather in one place and stand before them. Additionally the word pastor means to be like a counselor, again not to stand before them and lead.
Does this mean we are not to go a church at all? If this is the only way you can fellowship with your fellow Christians, then go, but be prepared with the Word of God yourself.
Whenever people do not know the Bible, this is when they are easy to lead astray, down the wide road to destruction.
Too many today do not have a working understanding of the Bible. As a result too many are walking down the wide and easy road, yet they are not even aware that they are.
This is why it is important to read the New Testament and come to understand the words within it. Then once that is done, then explore the Old Testament and come to see how the Torah time and again laid the ground work on what to look for when Jesus Christ would walk amongst us.
But what is more important, is so that you will see when someone attempts to lead you to death and destruction instead of toward the glory and wonders that lay ahead for all that accept Christ in the eternal life that is to come. Allow us to see all the wonders of the creation of God for billions upon billions of years.

Servant leaders

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Jesus spoke directly on the topic of leadership. From His words those that call themselves “Christian” are taught what to seek what is important within someone that wishes to be a leader. Not just of fellow Christians, but of all.
Mark 10:42 – So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 43 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:25 – But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
“Whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.”
“Whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.”
This is a statement of an overall leadership role. Whoever wants to be first.
In the KJV of the Bible the verses come out this way:
“42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
“25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
The reason I mention the KJV is that it is the closest English version to the original Greek text available. This allows the reader to research the true meaning of the words more easily. That is what I desire to examine here today.
“Whosoever will be great among you”
Whosoever – hos & ean
Hos – who, which, what, that.
Ean – if
Will – thelo – I will, wish, desire, am willing, intend, design.
Be – ginomai – I come into being, am born, become, come about, happen.
Great – megas – large, great, in the widest sense
Among – en – in, on, among
You – humin – you
Who if wishes happens to be great among you
Chiefest – protos – first, before, principal, most important
Chief – protos
“Shall be servant of all”
Servant – doulos – (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave
Of all – pas – all, the whole, every kind of.
“Let him be your servant”
Servant – doulos
Let him be – esto – be
Most important be slave to all.
Slave – A person who works very hard without proper remuneration or appreciation.
Enslaved – Cause (someone) to lose their freedom of choice or action
Now there are several elements that need to be noted in these definitions.
The first I wish to look at is this phrase: “without proper remuneration.”
These means they are not in this job to get wealth or even live wealthy. For their goal is not for their enrichment finically but the enrichment, not necessarily finically, of those they seek to serve. Yet for as long as man has formed governments, except for a short time in the early years of the nation when men seeking to be leaders did not gain wealth or even leave the office wealthy.
From 1789 till 1854 the salary for congresspersons was $6 to $7 annually.
This began to change in 1885 till the present. Going from $3000 starting that year to the present salary of $174000 per year as of 2014 in congress.
How can someone seek to truly be a servant, a slave if they make more than those they are pledge to represent?
They cannot.
They are not enslaved to those that they are to care for. They are enslaved to money.
Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”
Up until the early 1800s which is not very long, people knew the real understanding of the term “servant leader.”
Not just those that wished to serve but those that were being served as well.
Now most are ignorant of these crucial facts that Jesus Christ tried to impress upon us.
He even went so far as to show how He, the Son of God, was a servant to us humans.
The Son of God a slave, which is truly demonstrated by the fact that He died upon the cross a slave to our sins.
What is glorious about this, is that three day later He exited the tomb alive.
So changed that He walked with men that had seen Him before and were fleeing Jerusalem. However they didn’t even recognize Him till late into their conversation with Him.
Now for the next point. When someone, of their free will, chooses to be our slave as our leader. They as the definition states “lose their freedom of choice or action.”
They can no longer do anything for their own good, reward or glory, but are enslaved to their commit and obligation to seek after what is best for the people above all else even to the point of death, as Christ Himself willingly did.
Yet if you look around do you even see any truly fulfill this commitment?
However this is what is required by the person that is seeking to be the chief.
Now a point that many don’t even try to see.
“All.”
Now note how Christ starts this teaching unto the disciples. He starts by directly mentioning how the rulers of the world behave. Then just before He goes on to mention Himself being a slave to humanity He states that the person seeking to lead is to lead all.
“All” as shown above is the word “pas,” which means “all, the whole, every kind of.”
The whole.
Every kind of.
It does not say those within the Body of Christ. For that ultimate leader is Jesus Christ Himself. His point is for those that seek to be leaders of people, of groups, of nations.
Christ was showing His foreknowledge of a time when people could rise up out of the masses to be a leader of a nation, for at the time He walked amongst us that was not the case. Yet still He laid the foundation for servant leaders to follow that truly placed themselves as a child of God through Christ. This is pointed out because He showed how those in power of the nations behaved at that time. They were haughty, arrogant and most used their powers to belittle and demean their subjects. To think they knew better than those they controlled. So when taken in the correct perspective we see that true leaders that call themselves “Christian,” are to adhere to the instructions given in these verses by Christ Himself.
What also needs to be indicated though is that this is also the instruction of those that call themselves “Christian,” in what they are to look for in a leader so that this can be accomplished.
If they choose not to do so they are showing their rejection of the teachings of Christ and in so doing rejecting God Himself.
This is the behavior that the tribes of Israel did many times to their sorrow and regret. However, those that call themselves “Christian” now do the exact same rejection and they wonder why everything is going wrong, not only in the United States, but throughout the world as well.
So a servant leader must make of themselves a slave to the people they wish to lead, be it a church or a nation. If they do not seek this, but seek after their own glory, their own rewards, and their own goals. Then they should be rejected, either before they come to power, or once they do come to power; removed within the laws of the nation or church in question. For no leader comes to power without the blessing of God, even if the results of them coming to power results in the deaths of millions.
However, since we are commanded to follow the laws set forth by humans as long as these laws do not act against the Bible and thus of Christ and His Father. Than we are to follow them to the best of our abilities.
On the other hand, if they do act against the Bible and thus God, they must be removed, but in a way that does not violate the teaching of Christ as best can be done.

There is a need for a new church model

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What is needed within the building that is called a church is a rebirth. Old churches have become bogged down in a business model attitude where the intake of money is more important than the intake of souls into the Body of Christ under the pretense of the latter.
The prime example of this is the invitational. For those unaware at the end of many services in many church is the invitation to ask Jesus into your heart and life. As is the practice they have all present close their eyes so the person asking for the help will not feel singled out. This is all well and good, but it also causes a major lapse in conversion.
What is needed after this segment is a group standing by that can reach out to this person that just ask Christ into their life. It is now more than ever that a mentor is needed and required. In my personal experience I have not yet encountered such a system in place.
What should occur is that the person speaking on the dais should then state that for those that just raised your hands there are a group of people waiting to talk to you right now and help you and pray with you in the moment of surrender to God. The person speaking then should offer a location for this person to go to that will still allow them the anonymity they are seeking and give them a place to learn more about Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit. It is here that this person is given a mentor much like is done in AA so they can have someone to talk to directly that will help them grow within the Body of Christ and not feel left out. The feeling of being left out leads people down the wrong road more time then not and is a major factor why many in the secular world look down upon Christians due to this very reason of rejection they usually encountered.
There is also a need to have an activist group. A group that is willing to go out into the world and make the presence of God known in various venues. Also to get involved in political functions and groups. It is due to the lack of Christian presence that this nation is in such a sorry state. Those that oppose God are extremely active and that is why they are winning. Why can’t Christian’s be involved as well? There is nothing in the Bible or the Constitution that says they can’t. And any that throws the “separation of church and state” dogma out does not know the constitution and is playing into the hands of those that wish to remove God from the government. This is what has been done for decades. Not only do people not research the Bible but they do not research their own nation’s laws which has enabled the desecration of this nation to the point that God is no longer going to bless this nation. This group should include a large number of the church membership.
I do not believe in Sunday school classes. I feel it is the pastor/preacher/priest job to teach courses on the Bible during church services. That way all get the same message and it does not cause clicks to get established. The idea is to bring all together in the eyes of God and not have one group better than another group. What is more important is the word of God and a true understanding of the Bible and thus God’s message and plan for all.
Arrange activities around the schedule of those that work different shift. Have Saturday services as well as Sunday services. Have evening and morning and even afternoon. Make coming to church something that is easy and harder to make excuses not to attend, but also make sure the same message is taught every single time. Also make use of the internet.
These are only a few examples. There are many more that are needed as well that will truly cause a resurgence within Christendom and the Body of Christ.

Just saw a very poor article that said the type of Christians needed in a church were “Toxic”

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A rebuttal. This is my response to an article that I found to be hurtful to the Body of Christ.

This nation is in a very sad state. It is due to those within the church abandoning the Bible, and turning to platitudes and placation of the masses within the so-called “church.”
The first one listed was the “Cynical” Christian. The definition of cynicism is that people have an inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest. Here is the kicker, all humans, even Christians at times, are motivated by self-interest. Furthermore many that call themselves “Christian” and are living a lukewarm existence for the most part are PURELY motivated by self-interest.
What is needed is to teach those that are selfish that this is the true sin and they need to turn to Christ and reject their self-involved lifestyle. Most that fall into this category are, as I call them, “Sunday Christians.” Every Sunday they are Christian, but the rest of the week they of the world and have fully embraced this lifestyle thinking they are saved and going to heaven, just because of Sunday. These are the lukewarm and shall be spit out by Jesus Christ. So is there a need for someone in the church to look cynically at someone’s motivations and actions within the church? Yes. They should also be in the church leadership and should be reaching out to those that show the selfishness and try to help them truly accept Christ.
Number two on the list was: “The ‘back row’ Christian.” Per that person writing the article this is the person keeping God at arm’s length. In my personal experience these Christians are the one that recently raised their hands and asked God into their heart and not one person in the congregation has taken them under their wing as a mentor. They are at arms-length because they feel awkward and left out, and who is the cause of this? The church leadership for not having an outreach group setup to contact and nurture these still wayward souls. Lost in the ebb and flow. Should they be called “toxic” NO…. who is really “toxic” here are the membership of the “church” not reaching out to these folks.
Next on the list “the ‘world is caving in’ Christian.” Oh my gosh. You have got to be kidding. The Bible makes it very clear that in the end times as it gets closer to the return of Jesus Christ there will be signs. Not only geological, but astronomical, atmospheric, sociological, and political. When the Bible is read correctly these signs become self-evident. One such sign is the Queen of England and her death, which has not occurred as of yet, but when it does it is a factor within the Bible. So having those within the church stating that the end is near is extremely necessary and required so people will know to get their lives in order so that they may be welcomed into heaven.
What is next in this article that should have never seen the light of day: “the ‘following the rules’ Christian.” This is the one that just kicked me over the edge with this article. So we are not to follow God’s laws or rules? No one is perfect, but if they don’t know what is expected of them through the teachings of the Bible how are they going to know what to change? This type of mentality given by this writer is the anything goes mentality that allows sin into the “church” like for example welcoming and allowing homosexual marriages. This is not the mentality of someone loyal to God, but the almighty dollar. The world is who they love, and so are an emery to God and His “rules.”
Number 5 on this shameful list: “the ‘political’ Christian.” The author of this article is another of those that most likely beliefs that the church and state must be separate. Another that thinks God being first in someone’s life is not required. When you place God above all things He must be included in ALL things which includes politics. The First amendment keeps the government from making a church and also from having the government sticks its nose into religion practices. Several founding fathers made it clear that this government would fall apart if God was removed for it. Well as we are witnessing that fear they had is very true. The government cannot protrude into the church but the church is required to be present in government. So the need for Christian to be political is mandatory. A church leadership that refuses to be political is a church that need to be left to die.
The next on the list is the “culture is evil and scary” Christian. This I must say actually has merit. The person that wrote this article was referring to those that hide within the church. Seeking to go through life without engaging in the world in the belief they will make it into heaven. Reminds me of the parable of the talents where the master give out coins and the last one receives one and buries it. These folks should try and be one of the above “toxic Christians” but instead hide within their homes and churches. It is due to these people that abortion became legalized and over 55,000,000 children have been murdered.
Next on this person’s agenda is the “I love Jesus but not the church” Christians. Well when most churches are filled with the selfish and self-serving and the one that hide within their homes and churches, do you blame them? Again this is a failing of the leadership, but also the people. Many cannot find a truly God fearing, God honoring church mainly because churches are no longer churches but businesses and all the “leadership” wants is rear ends in the pews to rack in money. The church leadership needs to be purged of all leaders that are not in the service of God but the service of the almighty dollar.
The “God doesn’t work that way” Christians is another one with merit, but I wouldn’t even call them Christians. In fact this is an insult to Christians. These are the folks that go through the motions and mechanics of Christianity. They also fall into the “Sunday Christian” crowd. Thinking they are saved and one with God when they have no idea of who God or even Christ really is. So, so far out of eight “toxic” groups only two really qualify.
Next the “loves to pick a fight” Christian or as the writer called these folks the “morality police” in social media and in public. Here is the thing with this one. This goes to taking the beam out of your own eye before telling someone to take the splinter out of theirs. The thing is this guy has the beam in his eye. Per 2 Timothy 4:1-5 we are told to publicly reprove, rebuke and exhort those that are going down the wrong path. When we see folks that call themselves “Christian” and say for example they still call themselves “democrats” when it is shown that the Democratic party officially denies there is a God (Matthew 10:33), openly lie (Proverbs 6:17), and openly support sins like homosexuality and murder also known as abortion(James 4:4). It is the Christian duty as a member of the Body of Christ to point out this error in judgment known as reproving. Then to explain to them with the Bible that error of their ways by rebuking them, and then to help guide them back toward God through exhortation. Now I must add that those doing the reproving, rebuking and exhorting should not be confrontational about it but lovely as if teaching a child to ride a bike or swim. For being a Christian is like being a parent to the child of the world which are those that have strayed or are lost.
Last is the “you can’t talk about that in church” Christians. Now I have to agree this one has merit also. Three out of ten though that is sad to make an article claiming ten issues when only three have merit. As to this one. All topics should be openly discussed in church. Why? So people actually hear that homosexuality is a sin. So people actually hear that if God says to not do something you don’t do it. It must also be heard in church that you will falter and fall, but you can get back up, but learn from your mistake and not do it again for if you do keep sinning you will fall out of God’s graces and He will no longer acknowledge you as one of His children. (John 15:2; 2 Peter 2:20)
In conclusion this article should never have been published by a Christian group. It should never have been “liked” by someone in a place of power in a church. It is flawed and full of misrepresentations and can actually do more harm to Christianity then good. For seven out of the ten need to be within a church so as to point out those that are truly following Christ and allow them to see the errors of their ways, and hopeful by some miracle come to truly ask Jesus Christ into their hearts.
Original article is called “10 Toxic Christians in the church today” found on faithit.com by Frank Powell