First I would like to say that it seems like I may be being accused of just having a poor "attitude" toward church because I might have had a bad experience from one somewhere in my past. NOT SO. The purpose of this blog is not to slam church. Part of the purpose, however, is for giving food for thought to those who are hungry for God.
Over the years, I have heard it said in many messages from those preaching and writing sermons in the organized, institutional, religious settting; the following:
Over the years, I have heard it said in many messages from those preaching and writing sermons in the organized, institutional, religious settting; the following:
After the alter call:
Be sure to attend a church or synagogue of your choice this weekend.
or this one:
“If you believe that just belonging to this church, or attending church on Sunday’s will save you, then you are wrong. You must believe in Jesus, and be baptized . It is the trusting in Jesus and his death, resurrection, and shedding of blood for your sins that will save you”.
Well, these statements have some of what is true in them…..BUT…. if you follow what they are saying down the road a little way, what you see is that those speaking these words are using it in a “bait and switch” technique. It is used in a “sleight of hand”, sly and cunning way: that always seems to reverse the focus back to trusting in them, and their institutional, organized, religious brand names.
What makes me think so? Well, when I ask people what their religious beliefs are, they seem to always answer this way: “well I’m a “so and so”
Well, these statements have some of what is true in them…..BUT…. if you follow what they are saying down the road a little way, what you see is that those speaking these words are using it in a “bait and switch” technique. It is used in a “sleight of hand”, sly and cunning way: that always seems to reverse the focus back to trusting in them, and their institutional, organized, religious brand names.
What makes me think so? Well, when I ask people what their religious beliefs are, they seem to always answer this way: “well I’m a “so and so”
{ just insert the name of any institutional, organized religious faith for so and so}
. Do you see what I’m getting at? God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit never come out of their mouths until much later in the conversation. They automatically put the “sneaky, set-up, shell game” name brand ahead of God. It is like they have been “hustled", hood-winked, and have had the "wool pulled over their eyes”, and don’t even know it.
Satan is a silver tongued, smooth operator. We are not dealing with the simple misunderstanding of just mere men here, but against the “smoke and mirrors, double crossing, and beguiling techniques of wicked spirits in high places. Unfortunately, there are men who are enticed by the lime-light of “titles", "position", "money" and "favor of men" who get suckered into cutting a deal with our adversary to obtain their desire.
The day is coming at is probably about here, when I will have to stand before God and give an answer for my own beliefs, actions, and words. I have searched for the truth with all my heart, seeking God, meditating in His Word, in prayer and trusting in Jesus and the Holy Spirit, in "His" Temple". I refuse to be taken for a ride, or become prey to a shady deal.
Satan is a silver tongued, smooth operator. We are not dealing with the simple misunderstanding of just mere men here, but against the “smoke and mirrors, double crossing, and beguiling techniques of wicked spirits in high places. Unfortunately, there are men who are enticed by the lime-light of “titles", "position", "money" and "favor of men" who get suckered into cutting a deal with our adversary to obtain their desire.
The day is coming at is probably about here, when I will have to stand before God and give an answer for my own beliefs, actions, and words. I have searched for the truth with all my heart, seeking God, meditating in His Word, in prayer and trusting in Jesus and the Holy Spirit, in "His" Temple". I refuse to be taken for a ride, or become prey to a shady deal.
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It seems to me that we have been tricked into trusting in man
more than trusting in the Creater. .. and.. yes I said "we"... myself included. I fell for all this stuff too. the cross, the organized religious search for the best church to belong to, the respect for pastors etc. but I am repenting of all these things. and yes it's embarrassing to stand before God and confess my own stupid-ness. The hardest part for me to deal with is the fact that I have been an embarrassment to my Savior.
Does this mean I don’t believe in “The Church”? No it does not mean that at all . I just don’t believe the church offered by the “Institutional, Organized, Religious Community" is the real church. It seems to me that their church is a
Does this mean I don’t believe in “The Church”? No it does not mean that at all . I just don’t believe the church offered by the “Institutional, Organized, Religious Community" is the real church. It seems to me that their church is a
"white-washed", imitation of the real church. An imitation that could fool the “elect” if it were possible. It also seems to me that this is the "Harlot Church" that we are told to;
"Come out of her my people"
We are not told to change the "harlot": we are told to come out of her.
You Never see "even 1 time" Jesus ( Himself )... calling anyone....yes, anyone... with a : "TITLE" OF PASTOR. ..Period.
Pastor is not a "Title of position". Hello, it is a protective Function, not a "Title" of position.. What am I saying? An example would be dignitaries, ambassadors, etc. They all have a protective group...body-guards....if you will. The body guards do not stand in front of the dignitaries and preach to them! The body guards are functioning quietly in the background...(This is what a "PASTOR" should be doing)...watching for the bad guys. Are they friends with the ambassadors? I'm sure they are. Do they talk with the ambassadors? I'm sure they do. .
Again...Bodyguards do not! .... do not! stand in front of Ambassadors and preach to them......
I know you can understand this. Their function is to warn you of the enemy when they see you are in danger, and to stop the bad guy. That is what the function of a True Shepherd is too.
"FUNCTION...FUNCTION...FUNCTION".... NOT ...."TITLE...TITLE...TITLE"
Pastor is not a "Title of position". Hello, it is a protective Function, not a "Title" of position.. What am I saying? An example would be dignitaries, ambassadors, etc. They all have a protective group...body-guards....if you will. The body guards do not stand in front of the dignitaries and preach to them! The body guards are functioning quietly in the background...(This is what a "PASTOR" should be doing)...watching for the bad guys. Are they friends with the ambassadors? I'm sure they are. Do they talk with the ambassadors? I'm sure they do. .
Again...Bodyguards do not! .... do not! stand in front of Ambassadors and preach to them......
I know you can understand this. Their function is to warn you of the enemy when they see you are in danger, and to stop the bad guy. That is what the function of a True Shepherd is too.
"FUNCTION...FUNCTION...FUNCTION".... NOT ...."TITLE...TITLE...TITLE"
