Churches are in a coma

[Dordrecht]

I have come to the conclusion that
most churches are in a coma.

They are operated by leaders that
cannot bark and are dumb dogs.

Leadership wants to be buddy/buddy with
the world and wants to be seen as "cool".

A form of Godliness but denying the power.

[KeptByTheWord]

If Paul used the description "having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof" it is obvious that he experienced a similar pattern of events in the early NT church...

I would submit that this is really nothing new, and in fact, there is nothing new under the sun... and you will not find a genuine move of God in such an atmosphere.

I would also submit that unless there is a genuine servant-minded plural leadership in a given assembly, you are not going to find much else, but the same problems Paul dealt with in his day. Whenever man seeks his own agenda, and tries to build his own kingdom, the Spirit of the Lord moves on. He will not share HIS glory with another. It's quite simple.

When the leadership acknowledges that they are not building an earthly kingdom but the Lord's, and have a servant minded attitude in their ministry, even as our Lord Jesus demonstrated to us, great moves of God can come forth out of this.

[houston]

A form of godliness is not having "dead" church.

People who deny the power thereof are those that play by their own rules. They have enough of "God" to feel good. There is no change or desire to change in their lives.

[KeptByTheWord]

How about we go to the scripture reference to see what Paul was referring to:

2 Tim. 3:1-7
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Paul was not talking to those who were sinners or "of the world" or not saved... this reference was made to those in the church professing to represent the Lord, having the form, but not the substance.

There was a problem in the NT church, just like there is now. Nothing new... and his advice was... from such turn away...

[Jermyn Davidson]

What does the word "incontinent" mean in this passage? Is there a clearer synonym for what the Apostle Paul is saying here?

[Dordrecht]

When the Lord instructs us to "turn way from such"
it mean those churches are not the Lord's churches.

Those churches are man's churches, operated by men
and not the Holy Spirit.

If it's not the Holy Spirit in charge in these
institutions, it's the enemy running the show.

[houston]

It's about people, not congregations.

[Dordrecht]

Yes, it's about people.
And people are the "church".

We'r not talking about "church buildings".

I do not care about buildings.

[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

What does the word "incontinent" mean in this passage? Is there a clearer synonym for what the Apostle Paul is saying here?

It means an inability or unwillingness to control one's self.

[houston]

Originally Posted by Dordrecht

Yes, it's about people. And people are the "church". We'r not talking about "church buildings". I do not care about buildings.

You said "churches" which denotes congregations.

"those CHURCHES are not the Lord's CHURCHES"