If you want to be odd in the Christian church today, preach the New Testament gospel. It is regarded almost as something new and something strange. This is the extraordinary thing that can happen to good religious people in the realm of the church. They can get so far away that when the true message is presented, it is resented because it seems to be a novelty, something different and strange.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, “Experiencing the New Birth: Studies in John 3,” pg.267
5 comments:
One of my favorite songs say it like this:
Just preach Jesus born and crucified and risen from the dead
Just preach Jesus as He paid for sin with the precious blood He shed
Lord and Savior, King of kings
Son of God and Son of Man
Just preach Jesus until Jesus comes again
Hello Glen,
Do you want to be odd in church?
Yes! Simply visit with the congregation here and there about Jesus. Bring up His Name in casual conversation after the 'worship service,' sharing with the folks about the Scriptures that you are studying at home, getting so enthusiastically excited about what our LORD is teaching you by the power of His Holy Spirit and desiring godly conversation on a mutual level about the valuable life saving knowledge and wisdom that you are learning from our Father; speak of God/Jesus creating the world in a literal six day week and resting on the seventh, speak of God loving us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross in humility, this man/God in the flesh of no reputation; speak of His Glorious Wonders instead of our own grandiose accomplishments to 'be seen, desire the praises and applause of men and women'; give quietly and anonymously giving the Glory over to Christ instead of banging the cymbals and wagging our own tongues about how much we give to this church or that charity, or the mighty works of our hands that we have helped or assisted in some way, and finally..............
share the Glorious, life saving Gospel of Jesus Christ apart from spending big money to go on a 'missions trip where not one single person shares any Gospel message with souls, nor prays for the lost souls they come in contact with,' but comes back home, gives a 'testimony, makes sure their pictures are in the local newspaper, and types "MISSION TRIP ATTENDEE" on their resume for college or job application,'..............
do all of this and those within 'the c'hurch' will hate you with a humanistic passion for let us be honest here.......most of us have NOT had a good and god honoring conversation about our LORD Jesus Christ, within the church system that we have attended. Jesus never shows up in our casual conversations, and sadly, ask the average church goer exactly what the Gospel is, and you will see a 'blank space face.'
Sorry Glen, but when the non-501 c. 3 church folks witnessed to me way back when, concerning a life saving decision not to abort my baby.....these folks shared the Name, the love, and the life of true Christians who ministered to me during a crucial time in my life when I was unsaved. God, our Holy Father, loved me so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, for me.....and He also sent true believers and followers of Him (non-cult religious folks I might add here) to minister the Gospel to me; in love. John 3:16-17
Today, I am called a 'kook, a weirdo, a "Jeeeeesus Freeeeak, the RD virgin, etc."; (the name calling gets pretty mundane from church folks after awhile') within most churches around our rural community because I speak out against abortion, calling it what it is.....and to think that before I was saved by the Blood of the Lamb, Jesus, I considered committing this evil myself.
Praise our LORD Jesus, the Christ, for there is no other way apart from Him. Psalm 150. Ye must be born again.........
We've been known as the "odd ones" for a very long time. It never ceases to be surprising how people in the assembly -- especially in leadership positions -- really don't like people who proclaim truth vs feel-goodism.
Amen Glen. Amen.
Glenn,
My husband and I can relate...
And to anon 1/29/16 5:59am, and oh to think there are faithful believers who are not in the 501c3 system??? It can't be. :)
-Carolyn
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