Your Turn: "Mistakes Backsliders Make"

Originally Posted by COOPER

This verse always made me frustrated.

I believe many UPC live this way......And he did that which was right in the sight of the UPCI, but not with a perfect heart.

... "many UPC..."? Why not "... many Apostolics..."?

Oh, wait... I just saw who was posting.

It happens in EVERY faction of God's Church whether in an organization or not.

Originally Posted by philjones

I preached a message a few years ago titled "The Prodigal In the Pew". Prodigal means to be WASTEFUL. It does NOT mean to leave. No one can be more prodigal than those who have ready access to the abundance of God's provision and do not avail themselves of this provision. I believe the older brother was far more prodigal than the younger brother who left for when the younger brother had exhausted his "portion" of the inheritance on riotous living, the older brother was back home, still wasting the fullness of the Father's house every day.

Yes it is possible to be so busy you loose your relationship and don't even realize it yourself. It is easy to confuse service with relationship. We often forget that we don't build relationships in a crowd but in our alone time. We do, however, CELEBRATE our relationship in a crowd and in public service.

Bro. Jones...

Consider yourself applauded! Good post.

Originally Posted by Steadfast

Bro. Jones...

Consider yourself applauded! Good post.

thank you! I am honored by your kind words!


We really do need to find some time to get together and VISIT! I love to talk about the things of the Kingdom... preachin' prayin' singin' shoutin'

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Steadfast

Without a doubt what you refer to is true. I think it goes without saying (even thought someone needs to shout if from the rooftops) that one can be in a backslidden state both sitting on a barstool or sitting on a pew.

I'm dealing with a situation right now where the Pastor has asked me to step in and help him minister to a faction of his Church that are, in his words, "Backslid as a goose". Fightings, warrings, critical tongued... and refusing to be stirred up by either the preaching of mercy or conviction.

It is a gravely sad situation when someone sits on the 'Doctor's doorstep' and dies as the Great Physician walks by every service. In fact, I must tell you Miss Renda: I'd rather be lost on a barstool than lost in a Church and not know it. At least if I'm living in sin and know it I can find my way back. If I'm living lost - even sitting on a pew - and don't have the spiritual integrity to admit it then I'm already lost... and just waiting on eternity to prove it.

I preached a message about a month ago to my people called, "The Advantage of Being a Sinner". He came to 'seek and save' that which was lost and, sadly, if you don't know your lost you feel no need to repent and step towards His Grace.

Good stuff! It saddens me to see many "playing church" and feel they are okay. I'm with you - seems to me those are the lukewarm ones that the scripture speaks of..............not a good place to be.

[AmazingGrace]

Yeah yall folks never come down our way.. whats up with that?! We live in a big city yet no one comes down here ever!!! I say yall all come down here and preach!! LOL dunno where but just preach!

Originally Posted by Ferd

Sorry I am late to the tHread here Steadfast. I dont post much during family time.


I didnt read many of the middle pages so if this was missed please forgive me.

I really like what Ive read and so many make wonderful points on this subject...There was one thing that comes to mind that I didnt really see.

Fear. I know many people fear God which is the beginning of wisdom but they never learn to TRUST God. Fearinng God without trusting that his will is perfect is a recipe for disaster. those that leave over fear/trust issues, even when they return, unless they come to a place where they no longer fear that Gods will is perfect, and unless they can come to truely trust God, they will never really find there place with Him.

any way, I hope that helps.

God Bless.

This is another great post that I evidently overlooked in the flow of things.

To emphasize just one aspect of the truth in this post... Isn't it strange that some people can reach the place that they even fear God's will for their lives?

"If I come back God's going to make me preach" (Ironically, I don't think it works that way), "If I come back I'm going to be used of God in ways I'm not comfortable with". Believe it or not, I've heard both of those used as an excuse to why certain individuals can't sell out.

Fear... without trust.

Good insight, Ferd.

BUMP: Quote Revisited...

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Playing church has become an art to some.

The truth in this last statement is one of the most frightening things that a real Pastor has to deal with. Can't seem to get it out of my mind after reading it this morning.

Originally Posted by philjones

thank you! I am honored by your kind words!


We really do need to find some time to get together and VISIT! I love to talk about the things of the Kingdom... preachin' prayin' singin' shoutin'

You're right... Ultimately, there ain't much else in life matters much to be except this 'Church' stuff. I think we'd have a great time!

Originally Posted by AmazingGrace

Yeah yall folks never come down our way.. whats up with that?! We live in a big city yet no one comes down here ever!!! I say yall all come down here and preach!! LOL dunno where but just preach!

Well, let me know where you're hiding! Besides Pastoring a great Church I was in 20 states and 4 foreign countries last year preaching.

I'm doing my part! You probably just didn't come to visit me!

[AmazingGrace]

Originally Posted by Steadfast

Well, let me know where you're hiding! Besides Pastoring a great Church I was in 20 states and 4 foreign countries last year preaching.

I'm doing my part! You probably just didn't come to visit me!

Last yr I was in OKC... we are now in Dallas... neither one of those are hard to find LOL...