Comments on: One Nation under God’s Judgment http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/08/20/one-nation-under-gods-judgment/ A Ministry of Shepherds' Fellowship Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:54:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Priscilla http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/08/20/one-nation-under-gods-judgment/comment-page-1/#comment-50209 Priscilla Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:55:27 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/08/20/one-nation-under-gods-judgment/#comment-50209 This "visible" church term is new to me too. I suppose it's the church structure/building that we enter and that we can see with our human eyes but most fail to see the church with spiritual eyes. The body of Christ is the church that is made up of visible believers...this can be visibly seen with one's own physical eyes. If the visible church is not made up of believers then it is not the Church of Christ. It is counterfeit, appearing to be the true church. I must admit, today's churches do not have the majority of believers. It seems to be popular today to be "Christian", i.e. Rick Warren devotees. And all the politicians running for President are now "Christian". And by the way, God has not nor ever will abandon His Church. It's the people who want a more palatable Gospel that doesn't offend anyone. This “visible” church term is new to me too. I suppose it’s the church structure/building that we enter and that we can see with our human eyes but most fail to see the church with spiritual eyes. The body of Christ is the church that is made up of visible believers…this can be visibly seen with one’s own physical eyes. If the visible church is not made up of believers then it is not the Church of Christ. It is counterfeit, appearing to be the true church. I must admit, today’s churches do not have the majority of believers. It seems to be popular today to be “Christian”, i.e. Rick Warren devotees. And all the politicians running for President are now “Christian”. And by the way, God has not nor ever will abandon His Church. It’s the people who want a more palatable Gospel that doesn’t offend anyone.

]]> By: jambok http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/08/20/one-nation-under-gods-judgment/comment-page-1/#comment-49996 jambok Fri, 24 Aug 2007 12:39:12 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/08/20/one-nation-under-gods-judgment/#comment-49996 The term visable church is new to me. Please recommend bible verse and comment. TKS The term visable church is new to me. Please recommend bible verse and comment. TKS

]]> By: Justin http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/08/20/one-nation-under-gods-judgment/comment-page-1/#comment-49263 Justin Tue, 21 Aug 2007 12:53:09 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/08/20/one-nation-under-gods-judgment/#comment-49263 Mike, I know that (and thank God, too). I meant the visible church. If only Christ's bride made up the majority of the visible church. Oh well, I know that because this is happening, it is happening according to the power and wisdom of Him who planned it. He is only doing what seems best to Him. Mike, I know that (and thank God, too). I meant the visible church. If only Christ’s bride made up the majority of the visible church.

Oh well, I know that because this is happening, it is happening according to the power and wisdom of Him who planned it. He is only doing what seems best to Him.

]]> By: Victoria Lynch http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/08/20/one-nation-under-gods-judgment/comment-page-1/#comment-49186 Victoria Lynch Tue, 21 Aug 2007 00:15:57 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/08/20/one-nation-under-gods-judgment/#comment-49186 I am remembering the passages of scripture that commands us to pray for the leaders of our nation so that we may live a quiet and peaceful life(1 Timothy 2:1). I understand that we are a heavenly people but we live in this world and God seems to care very much that we pray for our country's leaders. Scripture says that we are to do so that we may live a peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. We must be kingdom minded but we must also pray for our nation's peace; and repentance and salvation for our leaders. I am remembering the passages of scripture that commands us to pray for the leaders of our nation so that we may live a quiet and peaceful life(1 Timothy 2:1). I understand that we are a heavenly people but we live in this world and God seems to care very much that we pray for our country’s leaders. Scripture says that we are to do so that we may live a peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
We must be kingdom minded but we must also pray for our nation’s peace; and repentance and salvation for our leaders.

]]> By: donsands http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/08/20/one-nation-under-gods-judgment/comment-page-1/#comment-49140 donsands Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:46:10 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/08/20/one-nation-under-gods-judgment/#comment-49140 Mike, And the thing is, your pastors are probably good Christians, and display good character. I had a pastor we hired, who was this way. He was more human-centered than Christ-centered. Which leads to the most important thing is people, because God sees people as more important than anything. This is the false theology of the day, and it's difficult to confront, but we must. I did, and my church fell apart. e asked the pastor to step down, and the church split. All the remaining elders left. The EFCA came in and is trying to help. I left, and am going to a fine church, where the pastor preaches the Word with authority and passion. He teaches the truth with love and humility. I'll be praying for your church. God will do something. He did at my church, but it wasn't pleasant. It was the most depressing thing I ever had to go through. And the pain still lingers. maybe until I go home, or the Lord comes back. Good post by the way. Mike,
And the thing is, your pastors are probably good Christians, and display good character. I had a pastor we hired, who was this way. He was more human-centered than Christ-centered.

Which leads to the most important thing is people, because God sees people as more important than anything.
This is the false theology of the day, and it’s difficult to confront, but we must.
I did, and my church fell apart. e asked the pastor to step down, and the church split. All the remaining elders left. The EFCA came in and is trying to help. I left, and am going to a fine church, where the pastor preaches the Word with authority and passion. He teaches the truth with love and humility.

I’ll be praying for your church. God will do something. He did at my church, but it wasn’t pleasant. It was the most depressing thing I ever had to go through. And the pain still lingers. maybe until I go home, or the Lord comes back.

Good post by the way.

]]> By: Mike http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/08/20/one-nation-under-gods-judgment/comment-page-1/#comment-49132 Mike Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:44:34 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/08/20/one-nation-under-gods-judgment/#comment-49132 Don't worry, Justin. God can't abandon the true Church; she is His bride. Plus, He said He'd build it Himself, such that no powers can prevail against it. It is indeed a terrible witness, though, for the visible church to seem to have been abandoned by God. I appreciate Pastor John's call for those who aren't weak men in weak ministries preching weak messages. I really feel that urgency, because that weakness and wimpy wishy-washiness sneaks in so subtly. I'm especially sensitive to this in my own church, where my pastors seem to be hung up on the 'psychological wellness' aspects of the Gospel. It's not the 'Jesus came to fix your problems,' but more the 'I know we all have problems, and struggle with anxieties and depression, but Jesus takes that all away,' instead of "Your sinful before a Holy God and Jesus deals with THAT!" There's just been talk of having a Sunday School class on a book whose subtitle is 'Discovering your self-worth from how God sees you.' It's tough to bear. In that spirit, I would appreciate any of you reading to take some time to pray for my church. Can you just pray for these issues above concerning "Mike from NJ's church," and that the leadership would really get a hold of the seriousness of the Gospel and of the Word? I'd be grateful. MIKE Don’t worry, Justin. God can’t abandon the true Church; she is His bride. Plus, He said He’d build it Himself, such that no powers can prevail against it.

It is indeed a terrible witness, though, for the visible church to seem to have been abandoned by God. I appreciate Pastor John’s call for those who aren’t weak men in weak ministries preching weak messages. I really feel that urgency, because that weakness and wimpy wishy-washiness sneaks in so subtly.

I’m especially sensitive to this in my own church, where my pastors seem to be hung up on the ‘psychological wellness’ aspects of the Gospel. It’s not the ‘Jesus came to fix your problems,’ but more the ‘I know we all have problems, and struggle with anxieties and depression, but Jesus takes that all away,’ instead of “Your sinful before a Holy God and Jesus deals with THAT!” There’s just been talk of having a Sunday School class on a book whose subtitle is ‘Discovering your self-worth from how God sees you.’ It’s tough to bear.

In that spirit, I would appreciate any of you reading to take some time to pray for my church. Can you just pray for these issues above concerning “Mike from NJ’s church,” and that the leadership would really get a hold of the seriousness of the Gospel and of the Word? I’d be grateful.

MIKE

]]> By: Mark Cercone http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/08/20/one-nation-under-gods-judgment/comment-page-1/#comment-49127 Mark Cercone Mon, 20 Aug 2007 15:38:22 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/08/20/one-nation-under-gods-judgment/#comment-49127 In a world which is separating itself from God’s grace and love at an alarming level and putting faith in things of this earth, our focus and energy as believers should not be on the future of this nation. Yes would should always pray for guidance and repentance by our leaders, guidance and repentance by this country, but our focus and energy should be on individual lives and the health of the Church. It is the Church which Christ promised to build, not the United States. It is the Church which Christ promised will not be overcome by Hades, not any particular country. It is the Church which Christ built upon Peter, a foundation which rest on the life of a believer not upon any political unit. (Read Matthew 16:18) Therefore as Christians, we must get in tune with the workings of the Lord and know that He shall raise up those who have faith and believe. The United States may face uncertain wrath in the days ahead, but we need to stay focused on the truth and the promises. We must stay focused on this important passage from the prophet Isaiah: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher then the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV P.S. I heard the message aired by Focus on the Family and listened to the message from Grace to You. It is a great reality we face, but one we should not rest our focus and energy upon. For Justin made a simple and elegant post about putting our focus on the Church. Thank you for this forum. Great topic. In a world which is separating itself from God’s grace and love at an alarming level and putting faith in things of this earth, our focus and energy as believers should not be on the future of this nation. Yes would should always pray for guidance and repentance by our leaders, guidance and repentance by this country, but our focus and energy should be on individual lives and the health of the Church.

It is the Church which Christ promised to build, not the United States. It is the Church which Christ promised will not be overcome by Hades, not any particular country. It is the Church which Christ built upon Peter, a foundation which rest on the life of a believer not upon any political unit. (Read Matthew 16:18)

Therefore as Christians, we must get in tune with the workings of the Lord and know that He shall raise up those who have faith and believe.

The United States may face uncertain wrath in the days ahead, but we need to stay focused on the truth and the promises. We must stay focused on this important passage from the prophet Isaiah:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher then the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

P.S. I heard the message aired by Focus on the Family and listened to the message from Grace to You. It is a great reality we face, but one we should not rest our focus and energy upon. For Justin made a simple and elegant post about putting our focus on the Church. Thank you for this forum. Great topic.

]]> By: Justin http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/08/20/one-nation-under-gods-judgment/comment-page-1/#comment-49126 Justin Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:30:19 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/08/20/one-nation-under-gods-judgment/#comment-49126 I can handle a God-abandoned America. It is the church that I worry for, now. I can handle a God-abandoned America. It is the church that I worry for, now.

]]> By: Victoria Lynch http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/08/20/one-nation-under-gods-judgment/comment-page-1/#comment-49116 Victoria Lynch Mon, 20 Aug 2007 11:54:50 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/08/20/one-nation-under-gods-judgment/#comment-49116 I was able to hear this message online. What a prophetic call to this nation! How frightening to think that God has given America over to her evil way. What a joy for me to have been born in this country and hear the gospel of Jesus as a 13 year old. God has blessed this country with powerful expository preaching from teachers like pastor Macarthur. Yet even with voices like his on the radio for over 30 years, this nation stands at the brink of moral and spiritual ruin! What can we do brethren? Is it too late for our beloved America? What do our children and grandchildren face in their future. A future in a God abandoned America. Pray earnestly and with weeping over this nation. Pray that God will bring repentance to the nation and it's leaders, and repentance to the church for abandoning the true gospel for a culture friendly message devoid of true saving power. Victoria I was able to hear this message online. What a prophetic call to this nation! How frightening to think that God has given America over to her evil way.
What a joy for me to have been born in this country and hear the gospel of Jesus as a 13 year old.
God has blessed this country with powerful expository preaching from teachers like pastor Macarthur. Yet even with voices like his on the radio for over 30 years, this nation stands at the brink of moral and spiritual ruin!
What can we do brethren? Is it too late for our beloved America?
What do our children and grandchildren face in their future. A future in a God abandoned America.
Pray earnestly and with weeping over this nation. Pray that God will bring repentance to the nation and it’s leaders, and repentance to the church for abandoning the true gospel for a culture friendly message devoid of true saving power.
Victoria

]]>