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What happened to..... posted in General on 3/5/10 @ 11:04 PM by Stephen

The times when churches preached about true holiness? Most churches you see and hear about these days are either preaching a very watered down message of holiness, sanctification..etc or they are preaching about getting rich basically overnight, without the help of God. Where are the times of great preachers like Smith Wigglesworth, Katherine Kuhlman, Charles Finney? This gospel needs to be spoken to the fullest, and its not some fairy tale or something you read any other day, it is a reality and a lifestyle. It has gotten so bad that alot of modern day preachers have to be careful to not offend the people and has to bring them a user friendly message where they womt have to do much... it is a tragedy what is happening.

On a sidenote, there was a chinese christian preacher (forgot his name) who spent 26 years in prison for preaching the gospel. When he was released, he had an interview. The reporter asked him how he spent the last 26 years in prison, he said it was the best 26 years of his life because it was a honeymoon with him and Jesus, no distractions, no one but Him and God. Well he went on tour in the US because I think he wrote a book, the same reporter gave him another interview and asked him about his take on the american church, he simply stated that he was suprised that the american church survived this long without the Holy spirit. I dont know about you guys but I am ashamed because we have let it get this bad.... we need to make a difference.

18 replies on this topic
Michelleeee - 3/6/10 @ 9:44 AM

youre completely right! i think that our generation as Believers of CHRIST, we need to step it up. because of the fact that the church has become so unreal. i was talking to a friend &she told me the same thing. the last generation kinda messed it up &its our turn to fix it to what its supposed to be.


Nicole - 3/6/10 @ 10:02 AM

Have you read the book Jesus Freaks by DC Talk?
You would love it. At the end it gives you the website www.persecution.com
At that site you can sign up and they will send you prayer requests for people just like the Chinese man you were talking about. There are persicuted christians all over. They need our support.


Stephen - 3/6/10 @ 3:58 PM

I actually have the second part and in it it says several times how we have to have a radical attitude in everything that we do (as christians). We cant be like the rest of the world, as I said before on another post, we have to make the difference, we have make the change. We cannot put limits on the the word, we cannot put limits on an unlimited God, we just cant.


Michelleeee - 3/6/10 @ 9:40 PM

time to get bold with the world! GOD didnt give us the spirit of timidness.


Bryan Omega - 3/7/10 @ 8:47 AM

There are four parts to the gospel: (The gospel of )
1. Salvation; which preaches the person of Christ and brings eternal life.
2. Discipleship; which teaches the principles of Christ and brings abundant life.
3. Kingdom; which teaches the authority of Christ and used to bring influence.
4. Compassion; which teaches about the love of God and meets peoples felt needs.

I believe a lot of church folk concentrate on (1) with a mentality of just getem saved. Which is why you can have someone join a church on day and not see them again until Christmas (because the focus has been on get them saved, but that doesnt change the world around us)

In order to get to the next level we need to focus on number 3. Where WE are in positions to make a difference and not picket lines. Personally I believe we talk too much and no action.


Josi - 3/7/10 @ 11:28 AM

@Bryan Omega, i actually think people are focusing to much on number 4, compassion, and expecting people to be saved because of our compassion. While compassion is important, all four of those things should be concentrated on together, rather than singling one out or disregarding one.


Bryan Omega - 3/7/10 @ 11:55 AM

Not saying singling out one over the other just that we need to shift our thinking.
that is why 11 am sunday morning is the most segregated time in america. I am sure someone will say not my church, but thats the exception and not the norm. Most of us go to church with a bunch of people that look like we look. The truth of the matter is a lot of times christians speak when we should be quiet and are quiet when we should be talking. So until we get to a point where we want to deal with truth you will ALWAYS get a watered down message.


Stephen - 3/7/10 @ 7:22 PM

@Josi, your absolutely right. The church should be talking about all of them, instead of just focusing on one, because the gospel is a lifestyle and not just points in a service. @Bryan, to get to the next level, we have to have a breakthrough in the spiritual, so that means a breakthrough in everything that you mentioned, not just one.


Stephen - 3/7/10 @ 8:20 PM

@Bryan, what you said about talking more about the kingdom than anything else, think about this: when we preach about the kingdom, declare it over our lives, churches..etc, and make it a lifestyle and a reality, everything else (salvation, compassion, discipleship, prosperity..etc) will be given to us, so scratch what I said about not just one. If God needs to take us back to the fundamentals or basics of our faith to raise us up again then so be it.


Bryan Omega - 3/8/10 @ 7:54 AM

Kingdom as it relates to His authority which brings influence.
Think about this:
• What major city in the U.S. would you consider the most/least christian.
• Now look at the murder, drop out, poverty, divorce rate of each city (bet they are pretty close)

My point is you should not be able to go to a place where you say Jesus is Lord and not be able to tell the difference from where he isnt. Again the reason for this is a lot of emphasis is on 1. Its nice that people are going to heaven, but those same people let the enemy run unchecked on earth.


mandypoo - 3/10/10 @ 9:06 PM

I TOTALLY AGREE! it time to get back to preaching the true message of God. the TRUE gospel. time for Gods people to purify themselves and sanctify themselves. its time to not worry about men, and their faces. Jesus was a rock of offense. he oddended everyone. thats why they wanted to kill him. its time to show the true standard of God and get up, with a demonstration. SIGNS, WONDERS, MIRACLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its time to be where God wants us to be.


Stephen - 3/31/10 @ 8:51 AM

We need a revival, simple and down to the point. We dont need a revival of power alone, but of what sustains us in God. If God needs us to go back to the basics then that is what we need to do


Japlace - 3/31/10 @ 2:51 PM

Amen.
America is so used to doing things on their time. like oh im not going to church today because i just dont feel like it, or i didnt lil how the pastor was raising his hands this morning i think we are going to find a new church.
Its lil stuff like that, that gets us on OUR OWN clock. not doing anything for others, just ourselves.
And now its gotten to the point where we cant even go to church cuz someone looks at us wrong, or its boring.
We need to get off the pity pot, and start being serious!!!
There are people going to hell everyday, and what is most of the churh doing? we are complaining that the pew is too hard!!!
People are being killed for believing in God, and we in America who know God wont even mention His name because we dont want to be judged? it has to stop church.
I, you, we ALL can do better.
Lets join in prayer everyday,so we can encourage each other to follow the command of Mark 16:15, “...Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."


rEVOLutionary. - 4/5/10 @ 10:49 AM

RT@ Japlace!
Amen Brother! i just got sooo encouraged by that post! praise God for that Man!


Stephanie - 8/28/10 @ 8:04 PM

http://georgebowen59.podomatic.com/

thats the link for the weekly podcasts from my pastor.

Definitely not watered down if you are interested :)


Mark - 8/28/10 @ 8:22 PM

Stephen Thank you for your passion for the truth. Remember that in the last days people will heap up teachers for themselves because they have itching ears. Pray without ceasing making your life a living sacrafice to the LORD.


Alyssa Faith Mark. Rep - 8/28/10 @ 10:02 PM

Heyy...my pastor is doin a series on Holiness! :)


CraigSnedeker - 8/29/10 @ 7:00 AM

one local church we left was teaching new age stuff. that pastor left.. and the new guy no one can understand haha. from what I heard he's a good man (started 500 churches in Africa) but he has an accent and he talks so fast


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