Another Problem With Churches.

Earl Gillespie

Another Problem With Churches

 Peddlers of Worldly Pleasures

Whether we accepted it or not, there is a mass defection from the denominational structured churches. Polls indicate that Methoodist, Presbyterian and Episcopalian churches have lost in totals, millions of former followers. Other Protestant groups have also lost as many members, including the Pentecostal and independent churches. The Pentecostal movement that once was  the vanguard of growing Church groups.  They too have begun to suffer the same fate of their predecessors.   Leaders have become contented in ministering to congregations filled with elderly people. Change the style, change the message and the question of "why" will never have to be addressed.  

Finding a new way to attract people to a given church or denomination is not the way of salvation.  Giving in to worldly pleasures, or merging the worldly pleasures and the spiritual attributes of God is not the way to attract souls to Christ.  The road to, or the way of salvation has already been established.  There is no need to re-establish, repair, or re-explain the plan of salvation.  It is already set forth in the Word of God.  The conversion of the church into a business is contrary to the teaching of Christ.  The business of doing church has become just that, a business, some are good at it and some are not so good.  The same rules that apply to any business now apply to the church.  Many have learned to, and seek to establish their legacy within the church.  

The indoctrination of Faith has never set well with the younger generation. With the passing of each generation the issue of faith has not transferred well.  Ministers get up and give generalized sermons referring to the Bible, but rarely reading, explaining and expounding whole passages from the Bible to teach people what the Bible really says.  The teaching of faith has digressed to presenting a list of requests before God, then testifying that you believe God is going to do it.  The entertainment aspect of Christianity has emerged at the forefront of religious piety it is the drawing card it is exploited, and it is expected to fill the vacant seats within the sanctuary.  The greatest application of faith is speaking of how God is a healer as we mark down the date of our next doctor's appointment. 

More and more people are growing tired of the multi-level-marketing concept, and the self serving rhetoric that emulate from the pulpit on any given Sunday. Many have come to realize that the hierarchy of many modern day church denominations is not about salvation but more about collecting money and the praise of men.   Men and women are struggling to be recognized and sell their talents in the church and out of the church.  Whenever a crowd can be established there are always those enterprising souls that are willing to step up and entertain the masses.   Many have chosen to blend the attributes of the devil and God together to form a more cohesive repertoire that will cross over the many boundaries and reach a more sustainable audience.  

According to Jesus's letters to the churches, many of the modern day churches have "dumbed down' what religion means. They do not "stand for anything". As a matter of fact they have joined the world. They preach a ludicrous message of joy and sunshine here on earth, as if God has changed his mind about the judgement he is about to render upon this earth. So why would anybody join them? A number of people ask, "What's the difference between those in the church and those out of the church?  

My assessment of the church of today is based upon the Word of God. When Jesus addressed the churches he set the stage for his message by stating, "I have something against you."  Read Jesus's first letter to his church and follow the progression of apostasy and despair that is expressed in his final message.  Revelation 2:1-7  To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, he that walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks: I know thy works, and thy toil and patience, and that thou canst not bear evil men, and didst try them that call themselves apostles, and they are not, and didst find them false; and thou hast patience and didst bear for my name's sake, and hast not grown weary. But I have this against thee, that thou didst leave thy first love. Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcomes, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.

Too many of today's ministers are going along with the whole hog, they have accepted the money from the government to build fine sanctuaries and they are slowly compromising with the devil's agenda. Leaders of Christianity have begun to approve of homosexual and other deviant practices that the scripture strictly forbid. Secret organizations are formed within the church to hide these sins and corruption from the eyes of the followers.  The church is following the path of continuing compromise and according to Jesus,  there is no indication that they will get off that path.  We as Christians can be thankful that just before Satan thoroughly confuse and blind the human race and is able to complete destroy the Earth, the Enternial God will intervene.  In these last days mankind will become so corrupt and filled with so much violence that people would utterly destroy all humanity unless God intervenes.  Matthew 24:21-25  for then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ, or, Here; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Behold, I have told you beforehand.

The Gospel of John specifically condemned the religious leaders of Jesus day when he stated, "They love the praise of men more than the praise of God"  There were rulers who believed in the son of God, but because of the people they associated with they refused to  confess their belief.  John 12:42-43  Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the glory that is of men more than the glory that is of God.  These men loved the praise of men.  Do you love the praise of men? The church is becoming a place of entertainment where we spout cliches and gather to get our praise on. Do we think that in the soon coming tribulation that this is going to save us? Do we really think God is concerned about us living a lavish lifestyle here on earth when he has promised to destroy it? Jesus promised to go away an prepare a place for his church in his father's house. On any given Sunday a collage of christian messages goes out over the cable and air waves. There is the message from the Baptist, there is another message from the Methodist and then there are messages of a different nature from the Penticosticals and the Independents. They are all trying to outsell each other and the merchandise is what God is doing or what he will do. There is no fire an brimstone message. The message of today is a message of hope in this present world.  The churches are peddling  prosperity, in the form of fine homes, fine cars and money in the Bank.  There was no need for Jesus to suffer and die so I could go to college, get an education and get a good job.  Why are they are peddling hope in this corrupt world?  Because it translates into money.  The masses will follow the scent of money. 

Romans 8:24-28  For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth? But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered; and he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.

Ro 8:24

We are saved by hope; that is, we are at present supported by hope, our present expectation of our future glorious condition beareth up our spirit under its sufferings, and carrieth us joyfully through all difficulties; or, We are saved by hope, that is, all the salvation which we have at present is in hope, not in hand; in expectation, not in possession; heaven in hope, is more worth than the whole world in hand; and seeing there is a certainty of hope, there is a certainty of salvation: We are saved by hope.

Observe next, The nature of hope declared: 'Tis an expectation of good things promised but not enjoyed; vision and fruition put an end to hope; none hopes for that he already enjoys: Hope is conversant about things unseen as well as faith: Faith is the evidence of things not seen, and hope is the expectation of those things: The object of hope is a future good, a possible good, a promised good, a good promised by God, and believed by us.

Observe, lastly, The necessary adjunct, and the inseparable companion of hope, and that is patience, and waiting for the good hoped for: If we hope,  Then do we with patience wait, 

Learn hence, That they only hope for eternal life, who continue in the pursuit of it with patience and perseverance; there must be found in us a waiting patience, a working patience, a bearing and forbearing patience, with a persevering continuance in well-doing, if we hope for glory and immortality, and eternal life.  

This is the purpose of the church...