About Going To Church....

[Fez]

I touched on this subject in my introduction thread and wish to pose it here.

I have not been to church in years, although I am saved. Now don't get me wrong, I want to go to church, I just can not seem to find one where I can sense God is there. Is that my fault ? I will not waste my time in one of those kinds of churches, it only brings me down big time spiritually.

Now I know His Holy word says to not forsaske the assembling together, but, I think it's a sign of the end times that I can not find one that uplifts me. And I don't think that is selfish at all. When you truly worship God in spirit, He will lift you.

It was very evident in the churches I attended that putting God first was not on their agenda : buying BMWs with the tithing money for the pastor, using it as a stage for their children who want to go into the recording industry, not witnessing, not feeding the poor, caring more about bakes sales, etc.....

I know I am sinning by not attending church. I have asked God for forgivenes. But just how long will God have patience on me regarding this ? Is He angry with me ? Am I grieving Him ? Is He disappointed in me ?

Edited for spelleen airers.

You are not alone. I haven't been able to find a good church to attend for a long time. If I could overlook some things, there are a few churches I might be able to attend?

1 An Independent Pentecostal Congregation that is 70 miles away, and it is not practical to join a church that far away.

2 A United Pentecostal Church, but the problem there is I don't agree with them on key issues such as the trinity, the idea you have to speak in tongues to be saved, and baptised in water in the name of Jesus. I do however agree with them on holiness doctrines.

3 An Independent Baptist Church that I like because of their King James Only position and holy living positions, but I disagree with on OSAS and their beliefs with regard to gifts of the Spirit.

4 An Independent Pentecostal Congregation where the Pastor seemed to be in the ministry for money, and was willing to shift positions to gain members.

5 A Pentecostal Holiness Church where I agree with them on most issues except their view of sanctification and the fact they do not take the hard nosed holiness stand they once did. They also use new Bible translations, and use of the King James Bible is a must.

6 An Independent Baptist Church where it is all about the Pastor. They do stand for the King James Bible and are strict with regard to clothes line issues, which is a plus, but I don't agree with them about OSAS and the gifts of the Spirit.

These are the churches I could possibly go to if I could get past the differences of opinion or in the case of the first church, the distance, but they are all serious doctrinal matters. The most ideal of the churches is the first one. I agree with them on most doctrinal issues, the King James Bible, and most areas dealing with Christian morality. If I lived in Charlotte I would probably join that church, but in my area, there is no church I am in agreement with.

If someone is looking for a liberal church with a "come as you are" sign, that uses new Bible translations and holds to OSAS, they are easy to find. If you are looking for a holiness church that is trinitarian and where they believe in the gifts of the Spirit, that is another story.

Yeah the only one we can really go to is about 75 miles away. I think it might be a compromise worth doing.

We floated around for some years always belonging to the one that is at a distance but never found a home locally and we really looked. Anyway I was thinking well if this is where the Truth is being preached and proclaimed then 75 miles is not that far. I mean people around the globe die for the luxury of assembling together secretly as a Church and I won't drive a little?

We don't go every Sunday but we contribute weekly. We try to go at least monthly and to receive communion which they have every Sunday anyway. So no its not perfect but I feel much better since just making a decision and doing it. There are also advantages to being a ways away....

So

Can you, or are you in a position to start a home church? Not knowing your situation I don't know the answer.

My brother is about to start a church in Mozambique to counter the straight law that is being practiced in the area he is in.

He has a reed hut, and one member. The Holy Spirit will be with Him, and the church will grow. Hey, 2 people is a 100% success rate!

Blessings

[Fez]

I do a round trip of about 40 miles to church and back on Sundays, leaders meetings first Wednesday evening of the week, and various other stuff now and then.

To me it is important I go to church for a whole lot of personal reasons. South is in the Worship Group and has to practice (she also travels to ladies meetings on Thursday mornings), the churches in my home town (very small) are a Catholic church, which I don't choose to attend, and an Afrikaans church that preaches straight law, and does not welcome people of different race or culture, as much as they deny it.

Also, if I miss church for a week or two, I start to miss the fellowship and teaching, and my close friends.

[Smalcald]

Butaro,

I honestly think it is the answer. We have gone through this for some time and I have finally come to this conclusion.

Fez,

Yeah we thought about that. But I just don't think I am called to do it right now.

[Fez]

Butaro,

I honestly think it is the answer. We have gone through this for some time and I have finally come to this conclusion.

Fez,

Yeah we thought about that. But I just don't think I am called to do it right now.

Well 70 miles is a long way to travel, especially taking into account economics and time issues. It is such a pity there is not a church closer to you. In winter I have to drive back on a bad road when it is dark (we do evening services).

I too would love my church to be closer to where I live.

[Smalcald]

Butaro,

I honestly think it is the answer. We have gone through this for some time and I have finally come to this conclusion.

Fez,

Yeah we thought about that. But I just don't think I am called to do it right now.

Well 70 miles is a long way to travel, especially taking into account economics and time issues. It is such a pity there is not a church closer to you. In winter I have to drive back on a bad road when it is dark (we do evening services).

I too would love my church to be closer to where I live.

I agree.

We have talked about moving and this is one of the factors.

[Guest Yakuza]

U are not sinning by not going 2 church, the scriptures at Naj Hammadi tells what the true church is

[Guest]

U are not sinning by not going 2 church, the scriptures at Naj Hammadi tells what the true church is....

Well

Some radical critics of the New Testament claim that the Gnostic gospels are equal to those in the New Testament, and that they do not support the resurrection of Christ. The Jesus Seminar places The Gospel of Thomas in their otherwise severely truncated Bible. Both of these conclusions are a serious challenge to the historic Christian Faith.

The Gnostic gospels were discovered in Nag Hammadi, Egypt, near Cairo in 1945 and translated into English in 1977. The Gospel of Thomas (140-170) has 114 secret sayings of Jesus.

The Holy Spirit

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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Says It Best

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:20-21

The

And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Genesis 1:31

Truth

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. John 20:26-29

Stands

For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 2 John 1:7

You See?

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 2 Peter 2:1-2

____________

Believe

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 10:9-11

And Be Blessed Beloved

For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John 5:26-29

Be Very Blessed

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3

Love, Joe

[Guest]

Simply

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Jesus Saves

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. John 6:47

And Men Don't

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

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What's OSAS?....

once saved always saved....

A Pejorative Term Often Seen Popping Up

Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Genesis 3:1(a-b)

On Believer's Fellowship Boards And Used As A Whip By Would Be Shepherds

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalms 23:1-3

To Beat And To Confuse The Little Children Who Are Cleaving With All Their Hearts To The LORD Jesus Christ

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. John 3:16 (Amplified Bible)

And Who Put Their Trust In The Holy And Precious Blood Of The Lamb Of God

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. Revelation 1:5

As Their Only Hope And Assurance Of Salvation

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 1:24-25

Because It Is Written

And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Luke 4:4

IMO

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Be Blessed Beloved

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. Psalms 28:7

Love, Your Brother Joe

[Guest]

Hi Song.

I've found good and bad churches, found churches that started out good then turned bad, even churches that started out bad and then turned good. While the intentions are good, man will never fail you eventually when something is placed in their hands. If it ever comes down to it and you find yourself in a time between churches, try inviting a friend or two over if possible and celebrating the Lord with prayer and maybe song and maybe even some testimony together right there in your home.

Perhaps there's not a direct verse saying one way or the other, but I can't see God getting too upset with that

Blessings to you,

t.....

Amen~!

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:46-47

[sdktlk]

Hi Song.

I've found good and bad churches, found churches that started out good then turned bad, even churches that started out bad and then turned good. While the intentions are good, man will never fail you eventually when something is placed in their hands. If it ever comes down to it and you find yourself in a time between churches, try inviting a friend or two over if possible and celebrating the Lord with prayer and maybe song and maybe even some testimony together right there in your home.

Perhaps there's not a direct verse saying one way or the other, but I can't see God getting too upset with that

Blessings to you,

t.....

Amen~!

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:46-47

Hi Song said, "...and you find yourself in a time between churches..." Then you have found yourself in the right place. For Joe quoted, "...breaking bread from house to house..." Amen~!