pg4Him Posted July 19, 2019 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 6 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 347 Content Per Day: 0.08 Reputation: 370 Days Won: 2 Joined: 08/20/2012 Status: Offline Share Posted July 19, 2019 An atheist who hates God will reject Him no matter what we do. That’s for certain. Yes some people use Christian hypocrisy as an excuse. However, Scripture does warn us we can be responsible for making others stumble, especially young people trying to figure things out. The modern church system is a dysfunctional, money-driven mess that’s hurting people in serious ways. The Pharisees were judged for misrepresenting God’s word, and we must watch lest we incur the same wrath. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Adams Posted July 19, 2019 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 26 Topic Count: 61 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 9,604 Content Per Day: 3.99 Reputation: 7,795 Days Won: 21 Joined: 09/11/2017 Status: Offline Share Posted July 19, 2019 (edited) The OP asks a question. Can we answer it candidly? There are multitudes of denominations. There are multitudes of fringe groups displayed on YouTube. What is the non-Christian world to believe of such a smorgasbord of churchy stuff all proclaiming they have truth and most everyone else does not? Why WOULD the world trust us? We squabble over the tiniest things and speak ill of each other almost continually. What kind of witness to the Lord are we? So let us answer the question posed. Based on my above stated observations, I would say a resounding NO. Nada, Nyet... Edited July 19, 2019 by Justin Adams Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pg4Him Posted July 19, 2019 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 6 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 347 Content Per Day: 0.08 Reputation: 370 Days Won: 2 Joined: 08/20/2012 Status: Offline Share Posted July 19, 2019 1 hour ago, BibleStudent100 said: You nailed it Pg. I loved your analysis about how too many of the churches conduct their business. I might add that not enough is said about our responsibility to live our lives in righteous ways, from the "small things," like not taking printer paper home from work for non-related work activities to the "big things," like avoiding premarital sex and pornography. Oh, that would impact how many would attend our church. So is it quantity over quality? Wait, you mean we should actually strive for excellence and blamelessness on every point? Say it aint so!!! That kind of talk will get you shunned at most churches. Christians are supposed to be so blameless in front of the world that the mouth of the accuser is stopped against them. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world — Philippians 2:15 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. — 1 Peter 2:12 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men — 1 Peter 2:15 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spock Posted July 19, 2019 Group: Royal Member Followers: 8 Topic Count: 29 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 3,239 Content Per Day: 0.86 Reputation: 1,686 Days Won: 6 Joined: 12/26/2013 Status: Offline Share Posted July 19, 2019 Shalom Church, Does the world trust us? Wow, the answer to this question can not be given on one plane. You have to see things through God’s eyes, the churches’ eyes, the world’s eyes, and of course through your eyes. Very complex indeed that obviously cannot be answered on one plane. Obviously Jostler is right with that quote....our hypocrisy contributes to a lack of trust.....no doubt. But....because the darkness may not want to love in the light, they won’t trust us for that as well. So when believers protest abortion or gay marriage, you can expect quite a media backlash....and obviously, a lack of trust as they see us as “party poopers to their lusts.” And then of course you have the spirit of the age, which is declining fast as FORETOLD by scripture. Read 1 Timothy for proof in scripture this WILL AND MUST HAPPEN. A great apostasy of “faith/moral values” will occur as we speedily approach the return of our Blessed Savior to the planet. This cannot be stopped either. Conclusion: You all mentioned all 3 of these causes and there are more as to why the world won’t trust us. Of course, we should all try to do our Christian part to not enhance or encourage the mistrust. Take a meal over to someone who is ill, lend your tools to a neighbor who asks, show an interest in people’s lives in order to build a bridge with them, avoid any form of hypocrisy like getting drunk, flirting with anyone not your spouse or using profanity and laughing at vulgar jokes just like them, or volunteer to play ball with some kids on the street who look like they just need a big brother to help guide them .....all of these can certainly help remove mistrust. But don’t forget, we can only do so much....the rest is in HIS HANDS WORKING OUT HIS WILL! To God be the glory, spock 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silviawang Posted July 19, 2019 Group: Senior Member Followers: 2 Topic Count: 128 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 825 Content Per Day: 0.12 Reputation: 153 Days Won: 1 Joined: 02/16/2005 Status: Offline Share Posted July 19, 2019 (edited) After the Second Vatican Council Does the Churches around the world still preach the right information??? I wonder........... Edited July 19, 2019 by silviawang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spock Posted July 19, 2019 Group: Royal Member Followers: 8 Topic Count: 29 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 3,239 Content Per Day: 0.86 Reputation: 1,686 Days Won: 6 Joined: 12/26/2013 Status: Offline Share Posted July 19, 2019 1 hour ago, silviawang said: After the Second Vatican Council Does the Churches around the world still preach the right information??? I wonder........... Interesting Sister that you singled out the Roman Catholic SVC here. I had to google it to remind myself what resulted from that council over 50 years ago (1962-65) O'Malley says a theme of the documents was reconciliation. In keeping, they allowed for Catholics to pray with other Christian denominations, encouraged friendship with other non-Christian faiths, and opened the door for languages besides Latin to be used during Mass. Other new positions concerned education, the media and divine revelation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frienduff thaylorde Posted July 19, 2019 Group: Mars Hill Followers: 17 Topic Count: 18 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 13,256 Content Per Day: 5.36 Reputation: 1 Days Won: 62 Joined: 07/07/2017 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/25/1972 Share Posted July 19, 2019 4 hours ago, pg4Him said: Wait, you mean we should actually strive for excellence and blamelessness on every point? Say it aint so!!! That kind of talk will get you shunned at most churches. Christians are supposed to be so blameless in front of the world that the mouth of the accuser is stopped against them. That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world — Philippians 2:15 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. — 1 Peter 2:12 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men — 1 Peter 2:15 Exactly sister . Exactly . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pg4Him Posted July 19, 2019 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 6 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 347 Content Per Day: 0.08 Reputation: 370 Days Won: 2 Joined: 08/20/2012 Status: Offline Share Posted July 19, 2019 In my experience, there are three things which effectively evangelize the lost... 1) Complete and total honesty about what the Bible says — no spinning or sugarcoating. 2) A demonstration of effective power — not only signs/wonders but demonstrated evidence of walking in victory, having a peaceful home, and getting prayers answered. We really need to cut it with the ‘work in progress’ stuff and start showing fruit. 3) A sincere witness that you care about more than going to heaven. You care about Biblical principles, right living, hospitality, etc. Not just good works of being nice to each other, but showing the goodness of a healthy Christian household. Unbelievers really do notice when you’re different. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frienduff thaylorde Posted July 19, 2019 Group: Mars Hill Followers: 17 Topic Count: 18 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 13,256 Content Per Day: 5.36 Reputation: 1 Days Won: 62 Joined: 07/07/2017 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/25/1972 Share Posted July 19, 2019 Swidl is on line . You are loved dear sister . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blood Bought 1953 Posted July 20, 2019 Group: Royal Member Followers: 13 Topic Count: 48 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 6,726 Content Per Day: 2.89 Reputation: 6,258 Days Won: 5 Joined: 12/03/2017 Status: Offline Share Posted July 20, 2019 10 hours ago, pg4Him said: An atheist who hates God will reject Him no matter what we do. That’s for certain. Yes some people use Christian hypocrisy as an excuse. However, Scripture does warn us we can be responsible for making others stumble, especially young people trying to figure things out. The modern church system is a dysfunctional, money-driven mess that’s hurting people in serious ways. The Pharisees were judged for misrepresenting God’s word, and we must watch lest we incur the same wrath. Most of what the World sees that is posing as Christianity is a tweaking of Judaism with a little bit of Jesus attached...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts