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The Church Seems To Be Struggling
January 24, 2020
Kenneth Drew
A thought about why the church seems to be struggling so much today
"When we consider how often the early church met, and the unwavering love and commitment they had for one another and the church, we have to wonder, could this be why we as the church today have seemingly become stagnant? (For lack of fellowship and assembling) Treading the waters of doubt, becoming weary in well doing, by willfully forsaking the appointed assembly. This whole "Less is More" attitude of many has become as a canker sore of rotting flesh among many members and is spreading amongst the brotherhood. Allowing many to become carefree, and comfortable spending more time with the world, and less time with the Lord's people. This is too why rebuke and withdrawal have become virtually, obsolete and ineffective amongst the church of Christ.
Take a look at the passages of scriptures, before and after Heb. 10:25,(the one scripture most quoted here today).
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Does these scriptures not strike you as being direct instructions in righteousness? Provoking us to be concerned for one another when assembly is called. As well as a warning to those who willfully forsake the assembly. I mean, we have to wonder, why are these scriptures right there , together. Are they meant to be a part of the same train of thought. Or are they meant to be used separately and apart from one another? First, we see a provocation to exhort, and encourage one another, "as we see the day approaches" is mandated! (vs. 22-25) Then, we see a warning of correction, and instructions in righteousness to those who would oppose this teaching; "for if we willfully sin" is being stressed. (vs. 26-30)
The idea of willfully sinning by forsaking what we are commanded to provoke, and exhortation one another to do, is what is at stake here, and should be the focus of our attention when reading these verses. To willfully reject the exhortation, and reproval of the church was once considered a serious offence (Matt. 18:17), but now it's been reduced to reasonings such as, "You're just trying to tell people what to do", or "You're just meddling in people's business". Or the popular cliches, "Let them work it out on their own. God knows my heart" The unity that once bonded the church together is slowly but surely becoming undone by the acceptance of this type of behavior.
So we should all ask ourselves, is it a SIN to willfully, forsake bible study and worship? I say, NOT if you think ignoring warnings not to forsake the assembly, and ignoring being give exhortation after exhortation to come, the RIGHTEOUS thing to do.(James 4:17)"
Be encouraged !
Eastside Church of Christ Blog
Join us on a journey to discover from the New Testament what churches, as established and set up by the apostles of Jesus, were actually like. You will then be ready to embark on the even greater adventure of playing a part in establishing and setting them up again.
We are chosen when we purposefully and intentionally premeditate our lives in service to do God's will, on earth as it is in heaven, by seeking His kingdom first (Matt. 6:33).
Cor. 12:27-28 'Now' ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the 'church'.....ISN'T THE BODY THE CHURCH AND THE CHURCH THE BODY? If that is the case , the 'body of Christ,' is the same as the 'church of Christ.' I see it in these two verses do you? Paul called the body of Christ , the church, therefore it is the church of Christ.
From about 1000 AD in England, Christians called by their enemies derogatory terms such as Waldensian, Lollard, Pelagian and Anabaptist, who baptised believers for the remission of sins by immersion upon confession, have been active in Great Britain and even earlier in Europe. They called themselves Christians and the church - The Church of Christ, having met continuously to join in fellowship with the Restoration Movement in the 1840s.
This rest we can read about throughout the scriptures was always intended for man, even before the beginning of time. This is because it represented the "Rest" that He would ultimately give mankind after this life.
According to the scriptures the Lord commanded His disciples, (the 12 Apostles) to tarry or wait in Jerusalem, on the day of Pentecost and they would receive power from on high to start His church. (Acts 1:4)
If the Lord added to the Methodist Church such as should be saved, I would be a Methodist. If he added to the Lutheran Church such as should be saved, I would be a Lutheran.
When we consider the Passover which is represented by the communion we take today, does that not represent the ultimate spiritual sacrifice of all. A sacrifice we remember, as we worship every Lord's day.
We can never thank God enough for His GRACE and MERCY! God knew we could never be good enough, or work hard enough for our salvation, so He granted us, unmerited favor (GRACE), and pity (MERCY), to give us a better chance to make our calling and election sure.
The hardest thing for man to do is to totally submit to the Word/will of God. We must do all things Gods way, by first, Submitting ourself to God.
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