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Archive for the ‘Church’ Category

Called Out From What?

Posted in Church on November 12, 2011| Leave a Comment »

“I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” — Jesus (Matthew 16:18b)

The word used to describe what Jesus said he was going to build is actually a combination of two Greek words, “EK” (or “Ex”), meaning “out of” and “Klesia”, meaning to “to call”. It quite literally means those who have been “Called Out”.

But if our lives are the same as everyone else’s what is it, then, are we called out from?

If we still seek this world’s approval, evaluate things from this world’s perspective, do only what comes naturally, how is that a “calling out”?

Jesus said,

And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. — Luke 6:33

Prayer:Lord, Jesus, let me be and remain called out. Amen.
— fritz

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Hey, Who’s In Charge Here?!

Posted in Church, Explanations, tagged on October 5, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Earlier I wrote … to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves being in charge, denigrates my counsel … he not only refuses hospitality … but tries to stop others … Worse yet … he throws them out. Friend, don’t go along with evil. Model the good. The person who does good does God’s work. — 3 John 1:9-12

John, the most loving apostle of all, had some difficulty with a church member. Some people, having little to no influence anywhere else, see the church as the place they can throw their weight around.

Real life examples:

  • A wealthy parishioner tells a young pastor to quit preaching on one topic or another (See Jim Martin’s post, “Called or Just Employed”)
  • Years ago a parishioner pulled me aside to brag how he gave the sound system to the church and if I ever wanted to adjust anything let him know because he had the key
  • Two years ago the leader of a major denomination calls personal salvation a heresy and takes church property away from congregations who won’t submit to her authority (See article here)

But God and his people, the Church, move on and still meet — sometimes in homes, sometimes in rented buildings, sometimes even on church property where others dispute.

Jesus is committed to individual members of His Church wherever they are. He is still changing lives.

— fritz@langgang.com
Also see: Trouble In Church – October 4, 2011

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Trouble In Church

Posted in Church, Conflict, hypocrites, tagged on October 4, 2011| Leave a Comment »

The apostle Paul has a disturbing word to those who think that Church should be perfect!

For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. — 1st Corinthians 11:18-19

Some stay away from church because of all the hypocrites and cliques– but they don’t let hypocrites and cliques keep them from ball games, work, or the various clubs and groups they like.

Sure there are factions and hypocrites in church, the Bible says it must be that way to help us more easily pick out genuine believers — the ones who act like Jesus!

— fritz@langgang.com

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