Acts20.com

Do you see/hear much evidence of II Timothy 3:16-4:4: in sermons today? Please understand my heart as i am not trying to slam anybody but looking for objective feedback. Previously I listened to some of the messages from fast growing churches to see if there was something I could learn about public speaking presentations, adapting the message to this culture etc. from people who have quick growth in his/her Sunday morning attendance. If he/she is grew more in their first 2 years than we did in 9 I wanted to see what I could learn. II Timothy 3:16-4:4 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; [b]reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.[/b] 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.My understanding and study of 4:2 Be ready instant in season and out of season is not so much the popular usage of preaching on short notice without preparation but rather delivering a reproving, rebuking message whether the hearers like it or not. I try to pattern my messages with reprove, rebuke and exhort with all patience and understanding. My belief is that the Word can go forth, cut like a knife, convict sin but then with patience and understanding we shouldn't leave people helpless but let them know that the blood of Christ, His love, grace and mercy are more than enough when one chooses to repent from sin.Does anybody have recommendations of the growing churches that employ the 3 fold pattern of reprove, rebuke and exhort with all patience and understanding? I do know some pastors pastors in the mode who have healthy churches but many are dying or dead (meaning the natural physical body of the pastor, not the church).

Pentecostals were very strict years ago. The REPROOF and hard line was too many times on 'minor' physical demands many became Pharisaical. then the period of trying to relax some of the stringent man-made rules was tough on preachers and congregations. Yes, we did and have slid past the medium it seems.This is much above my paygrade I have to make my mind see things in a different light ALL the time, or I will be picking every church and pastor apart. At times we attend 'mega churches', I do hear (what I can) good Bible based sermons. I attend many in all categories and sometimes go away empty and others full. At my age, I seem to be stuck a limbo situation. I am past my time. Nothing I can do or say will change a path that is set. Are the mega churches grooming Christians? I certainly hope so. Strong leaders that can hold the line? That is yet to be seen, but I will be gone.The pastor will be rewarded for his work in the Kingdom as the Lord see it. Some facts but mostly just my [email protected]/

[quote=Cojak]Pentecostals were very strict years ago. The REPROOF and hard line was too many times on 'minor' physical demands many became Pharisaical. then the period of trying to relax some of the stringent man-made rules was tough on preachers and congregations. Yes, we did and have slid past the medium it seems.[/quote]

I hate to get off topic, but the square-dancing thing reminded me of something I'd forgotten. We did jazzercize/aerobics to 70s disco music, I told my parents, and they made me sit it out. I learned my lesson and by the time square-dancing came around, I didn't tell my parents anything about it.