Question - Do Landmark MB churches that practice sound biblical principles have to be struggling churches? Do only the more liberal churches grow? Is growth a sign of being liberal? No, no, no. Church growth is building up the church in spirituality and then (as a result) in numbers. Church growth depends on these factors: (Based on 33 years experience preaching and pastoring churches)
1) Christ centered, Bible preaching 1 Tim. 4:2
2) Lifestyles that reflect Christ Matt. 5:16
3) Good fellowship Acts 2:42
4) Faithfulness Heb. 10:24, 25
5) Prayer John 14:14
6) Witnessing Ps 126:5, 6
7) Sacrificial giving (tithes and offerings) Mal. 3:10
8) Worshipful music Col 3:16
9) Strong teaching ministry 2 Tim 2:2
10) Right literature Matt 28:20; Luke 1:1; Jude 3
11) First love is Christ Eph. 2:5
12) Right love John 13:34, 35; 15:12
When a church struggles with a lack of growth, one or more (usually several) of these factors are lacking. God's power still blesses His Word. His churches that work by His plan do not need music that is not worshipful, literature from outside the associated work, gimmicks, compromise, fund raisers or self help seminars. What we need is to work God's plan! His plan still works when we work the plan!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
When Sex Offenders Go To Church
Having recently discovered a level four registered sex offender atttending our services, I deem it urgent to give a head's up to others concerning how to handle this thoughtfully, prayerfully and legally. Here are some ideas:
1) Check the state Sex Offender web site regularly (that's how we discovered it)
2) Set the ground rules - where they may sit (in an area occupied only by older adults) and direct them concerning absolutely no contact with samll children or their families.
3) Realize seemingly benign behavior such as gifts, phone conversations or hugs is a ramping up process that leads to repeat crimes (take note if they know children's names)
4) Know that a level four has done jail time and is under rules for their parole for life
5) Contact local law enforecement to determine the proper method for dealing with the problem
6) When a known sex offender is at church, detail someone to keep an eye on him from coming in to going out (every move he makes)
7) Document efforts taken to deal with him that will prove you have legally done all you could to keep the children in your church safe
8) They do not get too old to be dangerous (ours is 79)
9) Teachers dismissing classes of small children should wait until adults are in the auditorium to do so for obvious safety reasons
10) Remind parents to keep an eye on their children (many assume their children are safe once they are on church property) and other church members to assist them in that important task
A word to the wise - if they have to be discovered from the website, they have not been honest with you and will probably lie about other things. Once contacted, the local law enforcement should be encouraged to fulfill their responsibilities. While all people deserve to hear the gospel and have their spiritual needs met, some attend church for other reasons. If the sex offender has not been straight forward in coming to the church by up front making the pastor aware of his situation, then he probably has ulterior motives rather than spiritual ones. God help us - what has our world come to?
1) Check the state Sex Offender web site regularly (that's how we discovered it)
2) Set the ground rules - where they may sit (in an area occupied only by older adults) and direct them concerning absolutely no contact with samll children or their families.
3) Realize seemingly benign behavior such as gifts, phone conversations or hugs is a ramping up process that leads to repeat crimes (take note if they know children's names)
4) Know that a level four has done jail time and is under rules for their parole for life
5) Contact local law enforecement to determine the proper method for dealing with the problem
6) When a known sex offender is at church, detail someone to keep an eye on him from coming in to going out (every move he makes)
7) Document efforts taken to deal with him that will prove you have legally done all you could to keep the children in your church safe
8) They do not get too old to be dangerous (ours is 79)
9) Teachers dismissing classes of small children should wait until adults are in the auditorium to do so for obvious safety reasons
10) Remind parents to keep an eye on their children (many assume their children are safe once they are on church property) and other church members to assist them in that important task
A word to the wise - if they have to be discovered from the website, they have not been honest with you and will probably lie about other things. Once contacted, the local law enforcement should be encouraged to fulfill their responsibilities. While all people deserve to hear the gospel and have their spiritual needs met, some attend church for other reasons. If the sex offender has not been straight forward in coming to the church by up front making the pastor aware of his situation, then he probably has ulterior motives rather than spiritual ones. God help us - what has our world come to?
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Landmarkers and Trail of Blood
The Lord Jesus Christ established His church during His personal ministry on earth. He taught her, bought her with His blood and commissioned her to take the gospel to the world, baptize believers and teach all things Jesus commanded. The Lord personally instructed His church concerning what to teach, preach and practice. These teachings are the faith once delivered to the saints as recorded in the Bible.
Most Landmarkers agree on doctrines of truth and the practice of truth in the following categories: True churches are scriptural, true churches are always local, other religious organizations are unscriptural (Catholics, Protestants), separation from false worship (no pulpit affiliation, no open communion, no alien immersion), church succession, equal church representation, the church is sovereign under Christ and the Great Commission given to true churches only.
Church succession has several historical writers to champion its position of an unbroken line of true churches from the church Jesus built through each century to the present under several names and until the Lord comes in the air including G. H. Orchard, John T. Christian and J. M. Carroll, who wrote the Trail of Blood to teach the truth about church succession.
Preachers called Landmarkers that held dear some or all of the tenets listed above include: J. R. Graves, J. M. Pendleton, Amos Cooper Dayton, J. N. Hall, Ben M. Bogard, Thomas Treadwell Eaton and B. H. Carroll (and others).
The "Trail of Blood" traces church succession century by century from the church Jesus built until the time of its writing. Opponents of Landmarkism consider this book to be based on a flawed concept. Yet, church succession rests on the promise of Christ stated in His Word (Matt. 16:18; 22:20.)
Preachers who champion Landmark principles (willing to stand for those truths) will take much criticism from religious people, even from some in the A. B. A., which was organized on the basis of Landmark truths. May God grant His people the knowledge of the truth, the courage to practice the truth and the desire to stand for the truth until death or Jesus comes.
Most Landmarkers agree on doctrines of truth and the practice of truth in the following categories: True churches are scriptural, true churches are always local, other religious organizations are unscriptural (Catholics, Protestants), separation from false worship (no pulpit affiliation, no open communion, no alien immersion), church succession, equal church representation, the church is sovereign under Christ and the Great Commission given to true churches only.
Church succession has several historical writers to champion its position of an unbroken line of true churches from the church Jesus built through each century to the present under several names and until the Lord comes in the air including G. H. Orchard, John T. Christian and J. M. Carroll, who wrote the Trail of Blood to teach the truth about church succession.
Preachers called Landmarkers that held dear some or all of the tenets listed above include: J. R. Graves, J. M. Pendleton, Amos Cooper Dayton, J. N. Hall, Ben M. Bogard, Thomas Treadwell Eaton and B. H. Carroll (and others).
The "Trail of Blood" traces church succession century by century from the church Jesus built until the time of its writing. Opponents of Landmarkism consider this book to be based on a flawed concept. Yet, church succession rests on the promise of Christ stated in His Word (Matt. 16:18; 22:20.)
Preachers who champion Landmark principles (willing to stand for those truths) will take much criticism from religious people, even from some in the A. B. A., which was organized on the basis of Landmark truths. May God grant His people the knowledge of the truth, the courage to practice the truth and the desire to stand for the truth until death or Jesus comes.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Sermon - Judgment of Believers
Judgment of Believers
Acts 10:42, 43; Heb. 9:27
I. Past - as a sinner - at the cross
God judged all sins
Christ paid for all sins
Once sin was paid for in full, judgment concluded
No more judgment for sin
The cross was a finished word
John 5:24; Heb. 9:26; 10:12, 17; 1 John 1:9
No more judgment for sins
II. Present - as a son - in this life
God examines the life, lifestyle
Chastisement
Father punishes children for misbehaving
1 Cor. 6:19, 20; 9:27; Heb. 12:5-11
No more chastisement after this life
III. Future - as a servant - at the Judgment Seat of Christ
Not innocent or guilty
Not saved or lost
Acceptable or unacceptable works
All commissioned servants are in NT churches
Some servants will have works burned up
Some servants will hear "Well done"
1 Cor 3:11-15; 2 Cor 5:10
Acts 10:42, 43; Heb. 9:27
I. Past - as a sinner - at the cross
God judged all sins
Christ paid for all sins
Once sin was paid for in full, judgment concluded
No more judgment for sin
The cross was a finished word
John 5:24; Heb. 9:26; 10:12, 17; 1 John 1:9
No more judgment for sins
II. Present - as a son - in this life
God examines the life, lifestyle
Chastisement
Father punishes children for misbehaving
1 Cor. 6:19, 20; 9:27; Heb. 12:5-11
No more chastisement after this life
III. Future - as a servant - at the Judgment Seat of Christ
Not innocent or guilty
Not saved or lost
Acceptable or unacceptable works
All commissioned servants are in NT churches
Some servants will have works burned up
Some servants will hear "Well done"
1 Cor 3:11-15; 2 Cor 5:10
Friday, February 6, 2009
Marriage and Family on Decline
We now live in a generation that would rather live together than be married. L. Lamor Williams wrote an article entitled AR Seeing Less Marrying, Divorcing in the AR Democrat-Gazette on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009 concerning marriage and the family, giving information why marriage rates fell 32% in AR from 2006-2008. While some thought AR was just slow catching up with the trend of the rest of the country, it is an alarming dropoff in marriages-which have been on the decline since 1992. Williams mentioned several reasons he believed contributed to the marriage dropoff:
*A general attitude that marriage is not so important
*Sexual freedom as a result of birth control
*Cohabitation (in US in 1960 - 430,000 and in 2007 - 6.4 million) and like a test drive for marriage, just to see if there is compatibility
*Women choosing to be single mothers
*Women now have better paying jobs (forced quota hiring practices)
*Cost of divorce (alimony, child support)
*Older ages for getting married (27 for women, 30 for men)
*Desire for a higher standard of living starting out
If this marriage trend contionues, we will see the demise of the family unit in America. The family is the most basic societal unit. America (or any nation) cannot long survive with marriage and the family.
Williams reported the following advantages children have from married families:
*More healthy (receive better health care, nutrition, parental safeguards from danger)
*Learn better values
*Learn to accept responsibilities, including responsibilities for their own actions
*Self reliant (become tax paying citizens not on the public dole)
In the last days of this church age, 1 Tim. 4:1, 3; 2 Tim. 3:1-5, the Bible teaches the breakdown of marriage and the family. God's people need to pray for and encourage young marrieds, teens and unmarried young adults concerning God's plan for marriage and the family.
*A general attitude that marriage is not so important
*Sexual freedom as a result of birth control
*Cohabitation (in US in 1960 - 430,000 and in 2007 - 6.4 million) and like a test drive for marriage, just to see if there is compatibility
*Women choosing to be single mothers
*Women now have better paying jobs (forced quota hiring practices)
*Cost of divorce (alimony, child support)
*Older ages for getting married (27 for women, 30 for men)
*Desire for a higher standard of living starting out
If this marriage trend contionues, we will see the demise of the family unit in America. The family is the most basic societal unit. America (or any nation) cannot long survive with marriage and the family.
Williams reported the following advantages children have from married families:
*More healthy (receive better health care, nutrition, parental safeguards from danger)
*Learn better values
*Learn to accept responsibilities, including responsibilities for their own actions
*Self reliant (become tax paying citizens not on the public dole)
In the last days of this church age, 1 Tim. 4:1, 3; 2 Tim. 3:1-5, the Bible teaches the breakdown of marriage and the family. God's people need to pray for and encourage young marrieds, teens and unmarried young adults concerning God's plan for marriage and the family.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Principle of Separation
2 Cor. 6:14-18 teaches the biblical principle of separation. It is necessary to define an unequal yoke to understand the principle. Paul was writing to the church at Corinth. Among many other problems, there was great temptation in the city of Corinth with idol worhip. Unequal means two dissimilar things, two that are not the same. A yoke was an instrument used to attach to animals together for training and/or work purposes. An unequal yoke is an attachment of two dissimilar things, or any improper alliance.
Examples of an unequal yoke include: marriage between a believer and an unbeliever,one should walk in the light, the other walks in darkness, 1 Cor. 7:14-16, 39;a business partnership between a believer and an unbeliever (business practices such as fraud, deception, dishonesty which may be acceptable to one, but should not be to the other Rom. 13:2, 5-8; Eph. 5:11); in religious things, between those in the truth and those in false worship (Ot principle Deut 22:9-11; a NT principle 2 John 9-11).
"Come out from among them" and "be ye separate" mean non-fellowship or non-participation with religious error. "What agreement hath the temple of God [a new testament church] with idols [false worship]?" "Touch not the unclean thing" means false worship is to God an unclean thing. Non-fellowship in worship capacity includes not attending and having no part (preaching, teaching, singing, playing the instruments, leading in prayer). Do not lend your influence to false worship or approval in any manner. If we do, we approve what God disapproves. Worship capacity includes any organized religious event from ministerial alliance to See-You-at-the-Pole, to FCA, to revivals, VBS, youth camp and Sunday worship or other special services. Non-ecumenical means one does not believe in having religious services where people from different denominations participate. God's plan for unity and fellowship is on the basis of Bible truth, fellowship in the truth. Non-ecumenical means we do not go to them and we do not invite them to have a leading role with us (we welcome all to come to true worship). A church that is non-ecumeical will refuse to accept alien baptism, refuse to practice open communion, and refuse to practice pulpit affiliation.
The purpose in not being entangled in an unequal yoke is that the presence of God might be fully known in His churches, the leadership of the Holy Spirit may be followed in truth, God's blessings may be upon His people and that His people in true churches might be a holy and pure people with a mighty influence for God in the world. Separation denies false worship the credibility of "I'm OK, you're OK." There is a difference between true and false worship - God expects His people in the true churches to obey His principle of separation. While being separated from false worship, we are to go forth into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
Examples of an unequal yoke include: marriage between a believer and an unbeliever,one should walk in the light, the other walks in darkness, 1 Cor. 7:14-16, 39;a business partnership between a believer and an unbeliever (business practices such as fraud, deception, dishonesty which may be acceptable to one, but should not be to the other Rom. 13:2, 5-8; Eph. 5:11); in religious things, between those in the truth and those in false worship (Ot principle Deut 22:9-11; a NT principle 2 John 9-11).
"Come out from among them" and "be ye separate" mean non-fellowship or non-participation with religious error. "What agreement hath the temple of God [a new testament church] with idols [false worship]?" "Touch not the unclean thing" means false worship is to God an unclean thing. Non-fellowship in worship capacity includes not attending and having no part (preaching, teaching, singing, playing the instruments, leading in prayer). Do not lend your influence to false worship or approval in any manner. If we do, we approve what God disapproves. Worship capacity includes any organized religious event from ministerial alliance to See-You-at-the-Pole, to FCA, to revivals, VBS, youth camp and Sunday worship or other special services. Non-ecumenical means one does not believe in having religious services where people from different denominations participate. God's plan for unity and fellowship is on the basis of Bible truth, fellowship in the truth. Non-ecumenical means we do not go to them and we do not invite them to have a leading role with us (we welcome all to come to true worship). A church that is non-ecumeical will refuse to accept alien baptism, refuse to practice open communion, and refuse to practice pulpit affiliation.
The purpose in not being entangled in an unequal yoke is that the presence of God might be fully known in His churches, the leadership of the Holy Spirit may be followed in truth, God's blessings may be upon His people and that His people in true churches might be a holy and pure people with a mighty influence for God in the world. Separation denies false worship the credibility of "I'm OK, you're OK." There is a difference between true and false worship - God expects His people in the true churches to obey His principle of separation. While being separated from false worship, we are to go forth into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
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