*Note: When the author renders the word 'Church' as seen here, he is referring to the Main-Stream, Corporate Entity, Institutional 'Church' System common in our modern day and age. When he renders the word in all lower case letters, (church) he is referring to the Authentic Home based church of Christ's design, which still exists today.
I decided to preach the gospel and all things pertinent a long time ago. I wasn't 'called' to do so, I just saw a need. People needed to know the information I had whether they thought they needed it or not. This, I'm afraid, comes with some hazards. It is easy to alienate friends and family with the 'Truth;' especially when they do not want to receive it. But I also know that people do things every day, they are not aware of. One of those things is making new decisions based upon new information. The Problem is, people you care about seldom react in a favorable way exactly when you want them to. What am I getting at? Perception. People perceive the strangest things sometimes. At times we see things backwards. We perceive things that are 'evil' to be good; and other things that are 'good,' evil. Strange, isn't it?
I had such an experience lately from an old pastor friend of mine. I urged him to read an article called, 'What a Normal Church Looks Like' written by Terry Stanley of my linked blog site, Home Church Help. My pastor friend apparently took exception to my suggestion and shot a rather 'curt' message back. After he signed-off he left me with two Bible references. The first was 2 Timothy 4:1-4, The other was, Acts 20:29-30. I'll ask that you open your Bible to read them to save time. In a nutshell, both references suggests that because I adhere to and instruct others on Christ's simple design for Christ's true ekklesia, I must be, 'a wolf with itching ears, not enduring sound doctrine who teaches fables.' This is what I mean about calling 'Good,' evil.
A lot of folks, after being told of this foreign concept of "church." aren't sure what to believe. Why? Because, they have been so indoctrinated by their Bully Pulpiteers. They have a hard time distinguishing 'good' from evil (and evil from 'Good'). The fact is, Jesus is the One Who taught about this 'foreign concept' of 'church' known as an ekklesia. We are the ones guilty of forgetting it. Jesus' true doctrine of church is what is being blasted as an unsound doctrine by the majority of pastors around America. The doctrines expressed in this and many other blogs are not meant to confuse anyone. That's the Devil's job. My intention is to give you food for thought regarding Christ's model for His N.T. church, backed up with Scripture and expose the fraudulent model of Satan's 'Church' regardless of the label he puts on it.
Like I said before, sometimes people are afraid of the 'Truth.' Why? Because they have developed their own 'Comfort Zones.' No matter what is taught, if it threatens their 'C-Z,' it is banished without a thought. They've worked hard imagining what their comfort zones should be like. They've furnish them well. Each to his or her own taste. They even installed an alarm system to alert them of anything that might interfere with their 'comfort.' "That, MUST NOT be disturbed!" Here's a thought: When Jesus arrived on the scene, He shook things up for the people entrenched within 'Religion,' didn't He? You might say that He disturbed their way of life. Well, people are just as religious today as they were back then; perhaps more so. They just seem more sophisticated about the way they carry themselves now, then before. But, both their attitudes are just about the same. Pride, power, and presumption prevail. These all apply. No one wants to be confronted or told that what they are doing is wrong. Especially the religious crowd. That's what these guys hated about Jesus. Sol was right! There's really nothing new under the sun.
They think that the way they do things are the right way because everyone around them believes the same way. Why? Because they were taught by the same pedigree of teacher. I'm going to be as kind as I can when I say this, but, they're lemmings to the cause. For those who may not know what a 'lemming' is, I'll explain. Lemmings are polar rodents who congregate in vast numbers. No one lemmings is smarter than the other. Actually, the ones who think they are smart are the dumbest of all. These are the ones who lead the majority of the congregation to run with them wherever they go. They are very reactionary! They spook easily. When they're spooked, they usually run without looking where they are going. What makes the observance of the lemming so interesting is that oftentimes, one lemming will run toward the edge of a high ledge of ice. As he flings himself over the edge, all of the other lemmings who've been following him religiously, fall over the side into the freezing waters below and drown. And they all drown miserably ever after.
In case you haven't drawn any parallels between the description of the lemmings and ourselves, who are (or have been) in the circle of 'Church,' I think it might be worth our while that we play closer attention as to where we are headed. Hebrews 5:11-14 reads, "Of whom (Jesus) we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that uses milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." Are we headed for the ledge, or are we safe? My friend seems reactionary, and in this instance at least, has not shown himself to be full of age or to be able to discern between good and evil. He's just like the lemming who thinks he's smart. I am afraid for him and those he is leading.
'Church' is an illusion. It is a superstructure, which is entertainment-driven and funded by your tithing dollars. My friend pastors a small 'Church,' which is funded by a Mega-'Church' many States away. He doesn't derive his living by working with his hands. It is a hand-out. He gladly accepts the money from the Mega-'Church' and whatever tithes he can scrape-up from his local congregation. Unfortunately, this is the way of the world.
Jesus' church is a home away from home. It is not of this world. It is the kingdom of God manifested in a local community of believers who share all things in common and are in one accord free of charge! I Promise you; they exist because Jesus taught that, "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." His ekklesia has been around since He started it, and it isn't going away. His concept is 'Good,' but it is being spoken of as an 'Evil' by well meaning men behind of the pulpits around the world today.Why? Because it threatens their 'Comfort Zones.' Beware, lest we fall over the edge and crash into the waves below, denying Christ's design for His local, physical assemblies.
Bravo, I could not have said it better Bobby!
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