I have been thinking on this for quite a while now. Is it our job to tell them what sin is or is it God’s job to tell them what is sin. Brad posted a thread about things that use to be sin and it’s really funny because I remember when all those things were sin. That thought(use to be sin) confused me greatly as a kid. I would be told that things were sin and when I went to scripture, I couldn’t find them? That’s probably the reason I could care less about the church as a child. At some point in my pastorate, I came to the conclusion to let people grow as God grows them. We will teach them, preach to them, study scripture with them and advise them but ultimately let the Spirit convict them. With that said, last night at our men’s bible study a friend of mine was there. We have been friends since high school. He was the big strong jock, who made good grades and I was the skinny, poor, pimply faced boy from the other side of the tracks. I have been after this guy since high school and in the last 5 years – I have been able to perform his wedding to a woman he had been with since high school(8 kids together) and in the last year he has given his heart to God, joined the church, pays tithes(on his own), is an usher and assists where needed. The problem with Brian is he still uses foul language, drinks from time to time and slips in others ways. Last night in our meeting this big strong tough guy – broke down and started confessing his failures to our group. He used a word or 2 that were sins but he was reaching out for help. My question/thought is, if this was the church I grew up in, would we have allowed him to continue coming to church or would we have shut him down with the first slip of the tongue?
I have several friends who use to be in that lifestyle and are trying to live straight now. Most of these people have been sexually abused as children. They need Christian support and fellowship and prayer. We will pray that God will use you and that the Gifts of the Holy Spirit will be upon you.
Just show them the love of Jesus and let the Holy Spirit do the convicting. Sadly love is something these people have never seen from those in the church.
we are all sinners saved by grace!
I know what you mean when you say that. But I never could agree with that statement. We are all sinners saved by Grace. I believe I was a sinner. But Jesus told Nicodemus you must be born again. On my first birth I was a sinner. But on my second birth. I was born again. I had a New Father. I know we are still in the flesh. And will have the Lord to forgive us. But if we willfully sin after being born again. We better get forgiveness. I do not believe that a Christian has to sin everyday. The Bible says if we do sin. We have a place we can go. That’s back to the Lord and ask for forgiveness. So I always say I was a sinner. But now I am saved by Grace. It might be ok to say it that way. But I just can’t bring myself to doing that. Because I serve the Second Man Adam now. I was reborn and now have a new Father.
Paul said we should reckon ourselves to be dead, indeed, to sin. That’s what I’m planning on talking about.
Good subject.
Link , how did it go?
Prayers for enlightenment and conviction.
What does LGBT stand for I’m not familiar with all the abbreviations. ?
Prayers for you brother
BRODY ITS CONNIE HOPE YOU THE BEST OF LUCK WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU MISS CONNIE LUV U
Brother Charles I, want to here your opinion to my question!!!! How can a distric overseer black ball a man of God and A great preacher ?? because he sends plenty of money to HQ he does what ever he wants.He wouldn t let a Minister have a church to paster when he wanted it and the people wanted it .And then put a novice in as pastor because they are buddy buddy.D/O has lied on this man talked about him .He was on this man,s tv show the man has been so good to him and yet he stabed him in the back so many time s how does he get away with it .He even told 8churches that,s under him not to let him preach. Can a man like that even be saved ??/ So disapointing in the church,s now adays .
Thank you Brother so so true he has alot of people fooled the Bible says know them that Labor among you try the spirit and see if it,s from God.If you don t suck up and give them all your money you ani’t going know where . This preacher would love to pastor one moore time before he dies . But This D/O know alot of people and is merdering his spirit for know reason but Jeliousey .He is so Jelious and wants every one to look at him.And if you don’t he put,s you on the list . Thank you for your input
Your gift makes room for you.
Good or bad, if the gentleman in question trusts God and keeps doing well then God will make sure that the doors meant for him are opened in His timing.
(Trust me, I have been the there).
God will make His way when His timing is right, even if He has to remove others to do so.
Maybe with the TV show and etc The Lord feels that he is too busy right at this time.
By the way
Just for informational knowledge
(according to the CoG minutes)……
Pastorates are “appointed by the Administrative Bishop – State Overseer” with a vote of confidence (input) of the church.
Technically the church does not (vote in) the Pastor. They simply voice what would be their choice.
We show them where to look, not what to see.
The Holy Spirit directs and enlightens (as we reason together with other more mature and more knowledgeable Saints).
It is their personal journey and a corporate fellowship.