Originally Posted by areyourucky (Post 906359)

Is preashing about sin out of christain fashion these days.
seems like churches included everyone, and leave them in sin. People have to wear christan T shirts because thats the only way you would know they go to church.
Does anyone know where you can still feel convicted when the preaching is over.

Originally Posted by areyourucky (Post 906359)

Is preashing about sin out of christain fashion these days.
seems like churches included everyone, and leave them in sin. People have to wear christan T shirts because thats the only way you would know they go to church.
Does anyone know where you can still feel convicted when the preaching is over.

Originally Posted by areyourucky (Post 906359)

Is preashing about sin out of christain fashion these days.
seems like churches included everyone, and leave them in sin. People have to wear christan T shirts because thats the only way you would know they go to church.
Does anyone know where you can still feel convicted when the preaching is over.

Originally Posted by notofworks (Post 906364)

Yes, our church. I preach furiously against greed, racism, bigotry, selfishness, arrogance, unkindness, judgmental attitudes, exclusivity, being inconsiderate (like not taking the shopping cart to the cart-return), being unmerciful, religious hurt, and I'm just getting started!

For the record, I can't stand "Christian T-shirts" but if someone isn't wearing one, in what ways would you encourage people to "look like they go to church"?

Originally Posted by CC1 (Post 906428)

notofworks, I agree with you 100% about all of the sins you say you preach against. I am curious as to some obvious omissions, like the 10 commandments. I am assuming that you only omitted things like lying, murder, and adultery because they don't fit the cool modern preacher image you put forth but you do, in fact, believe they are sins and do occasinally preach against them?

Originally Posted by notofworks (Post 906432)

I put forth the image of a "Cool, modern preacher"? Wow thanks, CC1! I didn't know you liked me that much!:lol

I frequently preach Galatians 5:16 which says if we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. I talk more about what TO DO, than what NOT to do. Galatians 5 also says the works of the flesh are obvious. I don't spend a lot of time talking about obvious things. So more than preaching "against" things, I like to speak "FOR" things.

If I just yelp about what people shouldn't be doing?.....they already know they shouldn't. Doesn't do any good for me to just yelp about it. But if I can equip them with the necessary tools, such as "Walking in the Sprit", then I have the confidence that they won't be fulfilling the desires of the flesh!

Originally Posted by notofworks (Post 906432)

I put forth the image of a "Cool, modern preacher"? Wow thanks, CC1! I didn't know you liked me that much!:lol

I frequently preach Galatians 5:16 which says if we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. I talk more about what TO DO, than what NOT to do. Galatians 5 also says the works of the flesh are obvious. I don't spend a lot of time talking about obvious things. So more than preaching "against" things, I like to speak "FOR" things.

If I just yelp about what people shouldn't be doing?.....they already know they shouldn't. Doesn't do any good for me to just yelp about it. But if I can equip them with the necessary tools, such as "Walking in the Sprit", then I have the confidence that they won't be fulfilling the desires of the flesh!

Originally Posted by mizpeh (Post 906442)

It sounds like your preaching is unbalanced compared to Paul's. Perhaps you should preach on both.

Originally Posted by CC1 (Post 906437)

Be sure and hit on that whole "fruit of the Spirit" thing also. One observation I have made both in the UPC and out in the exUPC / Charismatic world is that this is a subject not taught or preached on nearly enough.

Originally Posted by mizpeh (Post 906442)

It sounds like your preaching is unbalanced compared to Paul's. Perhaps you should preach on both.

Originally Posted by CC1 (Post 906447)

But then he wouldn't be cool and hip and relevent.:bliss

Originally Posted by HaShaliach (Post 906460)

Has anyone thought about holding their services like Paul instructed? You know - in the 'old' apostolic style? (See 1Cor 5 for a 'working' example.)

Or, should the saints of God take up the task and responsibility of 'saving' people and allow the teachers to move on with the deeper things of God? (Heb 5:11-6:6). After all, of what value is it for the preachers to continue to go over and over hell and damnation to those who have been established by God's Spirit as a holy priesthood?

Where is the teaching that equips the saints unto spiritual maturity and right relationship with God? What about the tools required to live an 'over coming' life? How to both live and to walk in the Spirit? The identification of an individual's spiritual gifts and the authority and freedom to exercise them? How to identify and work in the power of spiritual authority that a priest of God is to walk and function? Or, the identification, requirements, and training of a person in their spiritual calling?

And, please, do not tell me that all of these things are the responsibility of the local pastor! It is that kind of mind set that has allowed the western church to decay to the point it we find it in today. It is time for the children of God to stand up and once again to take personal responsibility for our own salvation and spiritual growth and to function as the integrated body of Jesus Christ in the world, and not some local religious country club that goes through the weekly religious performance rituals, thinking that somehow that will make them true disciples of Christ (students, those who actually study and learn from the Master Himself). Playing the same old role in a performance is not the same thing as being a committed student bent on becoming even as Christ as their goal.

Question: How has your personal relationship with Jesus matured (altered, grew) over the past year? Five years? Ten or even twenty years? Or, are you still quoting Acts 2:38 as the cornerstone (Gospel Message) of the entire Bible?

Originally Posted by notofworks (Post 906463)

Very well said. I love it when you speak up. You always put things in an excellent perspective!:thumbsup

Originally Posted by notofworks (Post 906455)

I have a great pair of ripped jeans and a tight t-shirt that I can loan you if you're interested!:heeheehee

Originally Posted by HaShaliach (Post 906460)

It is time for the children of God to stand up and once again to take personal responsibility for our own salvation and spiritual growth and to function as the integrated body of Jesus Christ in the world, and not some local religious country club that goes through the weekly religious performance rituals, thinking that somehow that will make us true disciples of Christ

Question: How has your personal relationship with Jesus matured (altered, grew) over the past year? Five years? Ten or even twenty years? Or, are you still quoting Acts 2:38 as the cornerstone (Gospel Message) of the entire Bible?

Originally Posted by CC1 (Post 906489)

I have to lose about 40 pounds and 4" around the waist first! LOL!!!

Otherwise the masses would be running OUT of church rather than being pulled in by how cool I am dressing so casually.:toofunny