tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post644641886758804382..comments2023-12-22T08:29:29.230-08:00Comments on WHAT IS TRUTH: The Kaufman, Kafkaesque Performance "Art"/Hoax That Is Most of Professing Christianity Today, pt. 2Kent Brandenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13419354741455959191noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-32797403454187371662013-11-30T10:04:30.671-08:002013-11-30T10:04:30.671-08:00Part 2 of 2
For, 2 Corinthians 4:8 We are trouble...Part 2 of 2<br /><br />For, 2 Corinthians 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;<br />9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;<br />10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.<br />11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.<br />12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.<br /><br />You see, the life of a real minister of Jesus Christ is to be “troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body (2 Corinthians 4:8-10)”. Oh, but the COST to endure such hardships are NEVER in the mind of a Christianity that neglects SUFFERING.<br /><br />Therefore, if the church lived in that manner, than it would NEVER have to worry about “mega churches”, churches above 100 (Matthew 18:12-13) souls, wasteful programs that feed the lust of men, big buildings and land (see 2 Corinthians 8:12-14 cf. Acts 4:33-35), wasteful “colleges” that turn young men into “novices that are lifted up in pride into the condemnation of the devil”, for they must pay back that devilish cost of an education by offering them up pastor positions by the same bunch that were not qualified in the first place! What a racket and only heaven will expose this foolish Christianity, love of self and covetousness that will put the TRUE church in America as one that is “lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot”, who says to the rest of the body of Christ that have neither food nor raiment, “be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body (James 2:16)” while we in America are consumed of SELF and our own lusts, yet the truth of the matter is that “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked (Revelation 3:17)”.<br /><br />You might ask is how did I come to that conclusion from all this? Simply by the fact that the church of Jesus Christ will not GO and PREACH the gospel in ALL THE WORLD and because it does not do that HERE (all the freedom, without real persecution!), you will never realize truly how big the world REALLY is and how much the Lord Jesus Christ REALLY expects from those who “much is given of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more (Luke 12:48)”!<br /><br />Therefore, I say unto thee, “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice”!<br />The Preacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00555338497068482867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-43033622874485028332013-11-30T10:03:34.374-08:002013-11-30T10:03:34.374-08:00(Part 1 of 2)
The only things missed in this obse...(Part 1 of 2)<br /><br />The only things missed in this observation is the "Why". I will offer up my conclusion:<br /><br />This type of vain philosophy known as pragmatism (i.e., “If it works, fills the church, it has to of God”) is to continuously “invite” lost people as a “community” into a private assembly of the saints creating a congregation of people that “they profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate (Titus 1:16)”. The warnings of the scriptures throughout is to “be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)”. But, for most churches with pastors who desire the uppermost seats, and love to have the preeminence, for their people love to have it so! It has become “standard operating procedure” because they are not willing to pay the costs of their reputation, church attendance and probably their position while men will falsely slander them and speak all manner of evil against them!<br /><br />Now, the question that is before the church of God is- How did we get in that position? It is really not that difficult. It is simply denying the Lord Jesus Christ GREATEST commandment as the church, GO….GO…GO ye into ALL THE WORLD and PREACH the gospel. The LIFE of some of these “madmen” who would actually willing by the scriptures “to live is Christ and to die is gain” has as its character and manner of life:<br /><br />2 Corinthians 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,<br />5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;<br />6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,<br />7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,<br />8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;<br />9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;<br />10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.<br /><br />For, 2 Corinthians 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;<br />9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;<br />10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.<br />11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.<br />12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.The Preacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00555338497068482867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-60861036371451755972013-11-29T10:34:02.270-08:002013-11-29T10:34:02.270-08:00That was well written and your observations line u...That was well written and your observations line up with how the Lord observed Israel declination through the words of the prophet Isaiah.<br /><br />1:4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.<br />5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.<br />6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.<br />The Preacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00555338497068482867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-77800592416704217932013-11-27T17:52:23.811-08:002013-11-27T17:52:23.811-08:00Excellent, excellent. Much of the error seems to ...Excellent, excellent. Much of the error seems to be rooted in a misunderstanding or misuse of "compel them to come in." Readers should watch the panel discussion of that passage that is available at your Word of Truth Website.Bobbyhttp://www.apurechurch.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-48278551244496208812013-11-27T14:34:41.813-08:002013-11-27T14:34:41.813-08:00Thanks Ken. I agree with everything you wrote.Thanks Ken. I agree with everything you wrote.Kent Brandenburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13419354741455959191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20213892.post-29643421280263179412013-11-27T05:28:39.391-08:002013-11-27T05:28:39.391-08:00Kent,
Thank you for your post, and I encourage o...Kent, <br /><br />Thank you for your post, and I encourage others to read it with an inquiring mind.<br /><br />Two things that you mentioned struck home for me. First, I am presently teaching a class on the Holy Spirit. The series is seven weeks long but broken up into two main sections. The first section deals with the Holy Spirit as Deity, as a Person, and to His Ministry. The second section is on the topics of greater interest to most: The Baptism with the Holy Spirit; Filling of the Spirit, and Prophecy. With 20-25 Million Charismatics as Modalists; it is important to see how the Scriptures define the Holy Spirit and not man. Also, I have taught my class that if you KNOW the Word of God about the Holy Spirit, you can KNOW and be illuminated from the same Holy Spirit to the falsehoods of Charismatics and Continuists. I have a had a handful of people who were former Charismatics tell me they wish they KNEW these things from the Word, while they in the movement.<br /><br />Second, on the peformance art of Christianity. I believe we have challenges in conservative ministries as well when it comes to music. I remember some time back that a music minister told me that if we did not have excellent "performances" from our choir, many would no longer come or go somewhere else. I really believe that God desires us to be faithful to the calling He has given us, regardless of who listens, who comes, or who is converted from the hearing of Word of God. I know some believe that giving God our best is right, (I am not intrinsically against giving my best) but when performance trumps aervice, what message are we really sending anyways. <br /><br />Thanks again, <br />Ken Ken Lengelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14808011240895370627noreply@blogger.com