The Times...They are a-Changin'

[gloryseeker]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

The problem is that too many... especially of the passing paradigm... feel that the method is as important as the message.

The method sheds it's skin from time to time. Probably once per generation. The method changes. The error is in seeing people in error for no longer agreeing with the previous method.

I agree with you. The methods do change but the basics don't change. Commitment, loyalty, faithfulness, priority, cleanliness, holiness, sanctification, does not change.

The seeker sensitive church of today has changed the "method" but they also changed the "message" and the "basics" of Christianity. This is why there is such a weak church today.

I am one of those who serves in the current model.

I hold offices. I am a preacher. I have been known to speak at camp meetings and fellowship meetings and will do so again.

I get behind that pulpit and I preach the message. I don't feel that many aspects of the method are the best for our day and hour but I don't see any profit or Godliness in using the pulpit to destroy what is now in place.

Based on scripture it is through the foolishness of preaching that man is saved. You can't change that fact. You can change the delivery style, location, etc but fundamentals are fundamentals

They don't know that I am "one of those". There are many of us who are "one of those". We long for and work toward a different day and yet serve with all our might in this present day. I will never fight the current model but I will be ready when the next model comes to life. I have been ready for years.

Again I agree with you....ouch this post is hurting me Music is a prime example. It appears that with each new move of the Spirit a new type of music comes with it. Those that are unwilling to move with the Spirit get stuck in the past. I get that.

What I am against is this new theology that thinks the church has to get or mimic the world in order to be successful or reach a dying generation.

Bottom line is those who do not know Christ have a big gaping hole in their heart. It doesn't matter how good they look on the outside they are hurting and need the truth not some sissy religion. The church is not a petting zoo, it's a place where lives are CHANGED.

Why don't they know that I am one of those? Because those who are sold out to a paradigm judge us too quickly because our methods are different.

Again, I agree with you. Like the old saying the "Prophets of one move of God become the Pharisees of the next move." But this is not my point. My point is that human nature is not difficult to figure out. That's why the devil is so successful because we are all the same.

It's like in politics, people talk about how we have "progressed." We have progressed we are doing the same thing that has been done for centuries. It's just been repacked with new words to describe it.

Because our tree is not planted in their orchard they say our tree is not planted.

Yup...this is very true in OP circles who think that trinitarians are not saved. They've planted the tree different so they are not planted even though they have done a big job in getting this gospel around the world

The bottom line is that God is in control and those who walk with God will see all that God is going to do. God's not "stuck" but there are many Christians who are stuck.

It is amazing that in the day and age we live in that the world knows what the "church" (building) is. They don't confuse it with the bar, the drug store, or the mall. When they get in trouble they know where to run. it is only the modern Christian who is trying to run from it and calling it a God thing.

The sinner who knows that their life needs "fixed", the mother who baby is dying, or the family whose marriage is falling apart doesn't want to run to some guys house down the street and have a Bible study. They run to the preacher who can help them.

We have many people in our town who go to other places to worship because they have all the entertainment or they don't have to give financially or it's convienant. But when they really need help they call us.

God's system works!