Talking a good game?

[Stan]

"Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air.

Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world." - James 1:27

[olger]

"Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."

[12tribes]

"Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air.

Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world." - James 1:27

Matthew 23:2-3

(2) Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:

(3) All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

Matthew 5:20

(20) For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

[ClubV12]

This thread reminds me of Gails recent thread on sacrafice. How can you specify what you have done or are doing without sounding egotistical?

I recently read in Testimonies, sorry forget where, that "church" (I believe she was referring to Sabbath school possibly) should be a time to come together and share our witnessing testimonies from the previous week! How we had received the Lords blessing in doing His work. I can hardly imagine a Sabbath school class like that!

...and yet, that is what the Jehovah Witness' do, with no apology. I've been thinking about attending some of their services to learn more about this. But I'm afraid they wouldn't tolerate me long. I think there is something we can learn from them though.

[John317]

Ellen White was shown that we shouldn't get accustomed to the minister always giving sermons every Sabbath. She said that we should have "social meetings," in which people give their testimonies and talk about what God has done in their lives during the week.

As you no doubt know, Jehovah's Witnesses don't have pastors as such. Everyone is considered a "publisher" and is expected to spend time every week "witnessing" for Jehovah. That usually involves standing on a street corner handing out literature. But many also go door to door. They keep very careful records of how many hours they do this. They also keep records of the addresses of people who shouldn't be visited and of those who should.

Everyone is able to be trained in public speaking and witnessing, beginning with speaking for only a minute or so, and then progressing up to giving a half hour talk. I think this is what occurs on Mondays or Wednesdays-- I've forgotten which day. The women's training typically consists of two women together sitting at a table and giving examples of how to talk to non-members.

[ClubV12]

It would be very easy to see that as a "works" based religion and maybe there is some truth to that. Never the less, it's not an altogether bad idea!

I get the distinct impression, from the Testimonies, the role of a Pastor is to teach the members how to work for the Lord. In that regard, I've received very little instruction, from anyone. Thats not being negative, just recognizing reality.

If I may say so, without sounding all "ego" driven, tommorow or Monday I'm ordering a box or two of those "Glow" small tracts. I've talked to a couple of people in the church about how "we" can start handing them out. What methods work, where, when, how to. I don't know if it will go anywhere or not, but I plan to figure it out for myself if need be.

Oops, well, I hope this doesn't fall under the heading of the very subject of this thread! :)

[John317]

It would be very easy to see that as a "works" based religion and maybe there is some truth to that. Never the less, it's not an altogether bad idea!

You're right, and the Jehovah's Witness' belief system does tend to be about works.

Originally Posted By: ClubV12

I get the distinct impression, from the Testimonies, the role of a Pastor is to teach the members how to work for the Lord. In that regard, I've received very little instruction, from anyone. Thats not being negative, just recognizing reality.

As a church we used to do much better at this. Not sure why it changed but it sure did, sometime in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The SDA pastors in North America and Europe generally do very little of that. I think they do more of it in Africa, the Philippines, and in South America, which are places where our church is growing the most.

[ClubV12]

"Wednesday evening twenty-five people gathered in the home. Ellen White spoke with great freedom. Three in the audience were not members of the church. One of them was a woman who, by reading Daniel and the Revelation and The Great Controversy sent to her by her son in Wellington, was deeply interested. Following Ellen White’s remarks, there was a social meeting in which the people bore their testimony to God’s providences. "These social meetings," she commented, "do more than preaching to ripen off the work." {4BIO 104.5}

White, A. L. (1983; 2002). Ellen G. White: The Australian Years, 1891-1900 (Vol. 4); Ellen G. White Biography, Volume 4; The Australian Years (104). Review and Herald Publishing Association.

Here we have an example of a "social meeting". Is this a type of meeting Sister White may be referring to as a time to share our witnessing endeavors and how the Lord has blessed them?

Another venue may be gathering at a believers home on Friday night for study and sharing.

[12tribes]

Titus 1:16

(16) They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

[skyblue888]

Good passages 12tribes. They apply to us as a people.

Club, what if I were to tell you that now is not the time to focus on converting the world--making proselytes--but in bringing the last messsage of mercy to those who profess to believe present truth. Those who understand where we are in the unrolling of the prophetic scroll will be seeking for the lost sheep of the house of modern Israel first. See 1 S.M.411.

When that work shall be finished then the call will go to the world, not before. I am not saying that outsiders are to be totally ignored if they come knocking on our doors but right now our focus is to be on Laodicea before we think of going from house to house like the JW are doing. After all they do not understand the order of last day events and they have no clue as to how the Lord is going to finish the work in these last days.

If you study the parable of Matt.22 you will find that this is the pattern followed by Christ and His disciples. This parable was written more for us than for them.

sky

[ClubV12]

Timely post Sky, I've been carefully considering where my efforts should be put. I came across a comment by Sister White that we spend to much time working FOR the people in the church, only to see them backslide again and again. As always one must find a balance in these things.

There is a small but growing group within my church who really seem to be taking hold of the message, understanding the balance of the "law" and of "faith". I can SEE the need to continue striving along with this group to deliver that message to our people, in my church. Last nights prayer meeting was, once again, on the importance of keeping the law! It's been a recurring theme and people are starting to "get it", in a balanced way. Not a legalist way, as some have suggested, but some embracing the law from love. I believe we are on the verge of a real revival, and were talking about how to follow that up with a real reformation. More folks are actually reading the Testimonies and sharing what they find, without apology and how they are being blessed. I tell ya, it's just wonderful to see this.

On the other hand,,, I've been spending Sabbath afternoon on my motorcycle delivering "Glow" tracts and Signs of the Times magazines to my neighborhood and folks I meet around town. I'm seeking out those who might show an interest.