Puzzled

[eric]

Whereas I agree that we are all sinners, it is the duty of all church leaders to preach about the consequences of living a sinful life. I am sorry that your son can't see the error in fornication, but that comes under the category of sexual immorality, which is a nono. This church sounds like one of the emergent type of easy believing and ear tickling variety.

Any pastor who is afraid to stand in front of an assembly and tell that assembly that fornicators will go to hell. is not fit to be a pastor. It flies in the face of Paul's teaching in 1Cor.6:9 as one example. No one, IMO, can live a sexually immoral life and still claim to be a saved christian.

Jesus said to the jews who believed Him,. "If you abide in my word, then, you are truly my discioles and you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. So if anyone deliberately carries on in sin after they have been saved they are still in bondage and in dire need on repentance. God's love is unconditional, but salvation is provisional, or there would not be so many "ifs" in the bible.

But that is only my take.

[OneLight]

Whereas I agree that we are all sinners, it is the duty of all church leaders to preach about the consequences of living a sinful life. I am sorry that your son can't see the error in fornication, but that comes under the category of sexual immorality, which is a nono. This church sounds like one of the emergent type of easy believing and ear tickling variety.

Any pastor who is afraid to stand in front of an assembly and tell that assembly that fornicators will go to hell. is not fit to be a pastor. It flies in the face of Paul's teaching in 1Cor.6:9 as one example. No one, IMO, can live a sexually immoral life and still claim to be a saved Christian.

Jesus said to the Jews who believed Him,. "If you abide in my word, then, you are truly my disciples and you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. So if anyone deliberately carries on in sin after they have been saved they are still in bondage and in dire need on repentance. God's love is unconditional, but salvation is provisional, or there would not be so many "ifs" in the bible.

But that is only my take.

And a rightful one, as I see His words. I have often thought that this church is an emergent church.

[redwing]

this sounds like the rich church a poor man wanted to join. the church deacons told him to pray to god for guidance.

gods reply:

forget it son, i've tried for years to get in this church but i've not made it yet.

[stacey c]

Sorry, Onelight if my post came off as ,shall we say liberal, for lack of a better word. I just came out of a church that was just the opposite of the one you mentioned. The preacher taught the unadulerated Word of God, but TOTALLY lacked brotherly love. Instead all I saw was judgement, condemnation, and selfrighteousness. If they didnot think you were good enough you were shunned by the leaders of the church. Gossip ran rampent through the office while preached against in the pulpit. So I too left that church after many years becuse of the hypocrise, I can fully understand your position. So while my church lacked love and forgiveness, yours lacks unadulterated Word being taught. IMHO neither church is doing what the bIble has called the shepards to do. Thank you Lord that I now found a church that preachers the Word and loves the brethern.

[eric]

good post Stacey c. There has to be the right balance. I don't think that a pastor or leader should adopt a fire and brimstone approach across the pulpit, but they shouln't water down the gospel, for fear of hurting people's feelings for preaching the truth, either. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom prov 1:7. Nowhere in the bible, that I have noticed, does Jesus sugar-coat His message, but He spoke authoratively. He spoke the unadulterated truth, to whom ever He was addressing.

[eric]

this sounds like the rich church a poor man wanted to join. the church deacons told him to pray to god for guidance.

gods reply:

forget it son, i've tried for years to get in this church but i've not made it yet.

redwing, I like that.

[Guest]

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

John 4:23

[Guest Biblicist]

Three passages come to mind...

1 Corinthians 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? 3 Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. 4 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.

6 Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? 7 Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast

[EricH]

I would need to experience it directly before giving you an answer

[WayneB]

I have been going there for about 8 months and have only heard them preach against sin once, and just one sentence. They talk about where the church is going and the prophesy that has been spoken to them about a revival at a near by college that will touch the students. I also have only heard them give an alter call once, but not after preaching repentance or salvation.

Have you asked the Pastor about it?

I haven't read all the answers brother but based on your original post, I'd say that this church has problems.