I don't think I will be an SDA member

[Guest]

I can see sermons online and I can read and study the Bible on my own.

That is true. Do you know how to make haystacks?

Study and sermons are good no matter how you do it. Here are some links that you may already have:

Streaming video:

http://www.amazingfacts.tv/

Audio sermons:

https://www.audioverse.org/english

http://delongdirect.com/sermons/SERMONS/

[Overaged]

It is just the church and the people. I am not even speaking to the pastor or his wife. This isn't just about smoking by any means. I don't really wish to get into it but, unless something and some people change a bit then I don't see me going back.

[Kevin H]

Thank you for your prayers. At this time I have cancelled everything to do with that church, so I no longer have to worry about baptism at all.

While we are far from perfect, this is not exactly what I'm praying for... Attend even if you decide to wait a while for baptism.

"Excuses, excuses you hear them every day, the Devil he'll provide them if from church you stay away. When people get to know the Lord the Devil always looses, so to keep them folk away from church he offers them excuses"

[Overaged]

Yup! Blame it all on the devil instead of the people at fault.

[Kevin H]

People work together with either God or the Devil. I was just sharing the words of a song that I hope is useful. Paul said to not neglect the gathering together, and when it comes to People, Jesus did not tell the widdow "Don't wast your money on this corrupt church with these horrible people, give it to my treasurer"

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

...unless something and some people change a bit then I don't see me going back...

I thought that way for a LONG time. I don't anymore. But not because of the trite, oft repeated "you should just be looking at Jesus" mantra. I stopped because I'm in no postion to be judging anyone else, Adventist or otherwise. If one doesn't like something pertaining to the church or its members, he/she can do one of several things: leave; ignore it; conform; or try to change it.

The choice one makes has more to do with one's personal attributes, beliefs and desires.

[Overaged]

People work together with either God or the Devil. I was just sharing the words of a song that I hope is useful. Paul said to not neglect the gathering together, and when it comes to People, Jesus did not tell the widdow "Don't wast your money on this corrupt church with these horrible people, give it to my treasurer"

Well; that's one "song" I'll cross from my list.

The "gathering together" does not have to be in a church.

[Woody]

People and churches will ALWAYS fail us.

I've not met a church or peoples that didn't fail me.

Praise God they are good enough for Jesus. He loves them all and even loves me. Now that takes a lota lovin'.

[Gail]

Originally Posted By: ow

...unless something and some people change a bit then I don't see me going back...

I thought that way for a LONG time. I don't anymore. But not because of the trite, oft repeated "you should just be looking at Jesus" mantra. I stopped because I'm in no postion to be judging anyone else, Adventist or otherwise. If one doesn't like something pertaining to the church or its members, he/she can do one of several things: leave; ignore it; conform; or try to change it.

The choice one makes has more to do with one's personal attributes, beliefs and desires.

Excellent!

[Gail]

People and churches will ALWAYS fail us.

I've not met a church or peoples that didn't fail me.

Praise God they are good enough for Jesus. He loves them all and even loves me. Now that takes a lota lovin'.

Yep, yep, yep! We are all learners AND we often go back to Step One, of sitting at the feet of Christ, for healing ourselves. Sometimes that means fixing up and because of our dullness some of us have to relearn over and over again.

But He is patient and gentle with us. :)

[Overaged]

People and churches will ALWAYS fail us.

I've not met a church or peoples that didn't fail me.

Praise God they are good enough for Jesus. He loves them all and even loves me. Now that takes a lota lovin'.

[Overaged]

Originally Posted By: ow

...unless something and some people change a bit then I don't see me going back...

I thought that way for a LONG time. I don't anymore. But not because of the trite, oft repeated "you should just be looking at Jesus" mantra. I stopped because I'm in no postion to be judging anyone else, Adventist or otherwise. If one doesn't like something pertaining to the church or its members, he/she can do one of several things: leave; ignore it; conform; or try to change it.

The choice one makes has more to do with one's personal attributes, beliefs and desires.

Right On!!

[OzarkWoman]

Without going into anything in particular, suffice it to say that I was used to the point of close to $20,000.00. This is not just the normal failure of people. This was out and out usery, but I have learned a great deal from it.

[jamesonofthunder]

Thanks for your thoughts James.

But I was curious about this statement:

Quote:

"the still small voice which had been quietly leading me the whole time tell me directly, "This will lead you home" and I was given complete victory over every sin."

Has this continued? Do you still have complete victory over every sin? Or was this taken from you at some point since then?

If I were to stay there no one could take it away. The devil has no right to take us away from God unless we stray onto his territory.

When I take my eyes off Jesus and put my thoughts upon myself I do not have victory over sin.

When I am shown my shame, and see a defect in my character, I fall upon the rock and He takes away my shame and at this point He restores me, and if I stay hidden beneath his wings I am safe. This is a continuing effort until the day I die, or Jesus takes us home. Because we have an advocate before the throne.

[Woody]

thanks James.

[jamesonofthunder]

The "gathering together" does not have to be in a church.

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

I find it so interesting how much people think the church is all about how they feel.

If we come to church thinking we have ANYTHING righteous to offer we are already on the wrong path.

God gave His Son for us as our righteousness. We may have confidence in His faithfulness but we have nothing of our own to offer.

If you think "well forget them" and go off on your own, you are proving who you serve just as I mentioned before. This is why I was prompted by God our Father to say "you have no idea who you are serving by your attitude" and everyone who supports this is there with you.

[Woody]

OUCH

[Guest]

They don't call him the son of thunder for nothing, do they?

[OzarkWoman]

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

I find it so interesting how much people think the church is all about how they feel.

If we come to church thinking we have ANYTHING righteous to offer we are already on the wrong path.

God gave His Son for us as our righteousness. We may have confidence in His faithfulness but we have nothing of our own to offer.

If you think "well forget them" and go off on your own, you are proving who you serve just as I mentioned before. This is why I was prompted by God our Father to say "you have no idea who you are serving by your attitude" and everyone who supports this is there with you.

You are quite the arrogant person the way you post to others when you have no idea about them in reality.

[Woody]

They don't call him the son of thunder for nothing, do they?

Wow !

[skyblue888]

ChristSonofrighteousness

Righteousness is Love.

sky

[Overaged]

Originally Posted By: Overaged

The "gathering together" does not have to be in a church.

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

I find it so interesting how much people think the church is all about how they feel.

If we come to church thinking we have ANYTHING righteous to offer we are already on the wrong path.

God gave His Son for us as our righteousness. We may have confidence in His faithfulness but we have nothing of our own to offer.

If you think "well forget them" and go off on your own, you are proving who you serve just as I mentioned before. This is why I was prompted by God our Father to say "you have no idea who you are serving by your attitude" and everyone who supports this is there with you.

Now; did you say all of this cherry-picked lalalala in response to my having said that the "gathering together" does not have to be in a church?" You got a little too much thunder in the wrong place today my friend. The Bible has many examples of small 2 or 3 person gatherings in private homes that are called "church." So all that you said here was a simple opposition to scripture truth.

I think that if I had to go to your church; i would wear a hard hat, safety glasses, and EAR PLUGS.

[Woody]

ChristSonofrighteousness

Righteousness is Love.

sky

[JoeMo]

Wow, Thunder! I have to agree with OzarkWoman and Overaged on this. You say:

"If we come to church thinking we have ANYTHING righteous to offer we are already on the wrong path...If you think "well forget them" and go off on your own, you are proving who you serve just as I mentioned before. This is why I was prompted by God our Father to say "you have no idea who you are serving by your attitude" and everyone who supports this is there with you."

Really? As believers, we all have something righteous to offer to the church; and that is the righteousness of Christ and whatever gifts the Holy Spirit imparts to us. You make it sound like we are a cancer to the body of Christ; when God's Word tells us just the opposite:

"21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness." (1 Cor. 12:21-23)

We are all members of the body of Christ; and as such, I would hesitate denying our righteousness in Him. What are we supposed to do? Constantly tell ourselves how unrighteous. unworthy, and sinful we are? I don't know about you, but my experience is that I become what I tell myself I am. Jesus Himself said:

"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh". (Luke 6:45)

Church IS about how we feel (although faith in God is not)! If people in my church made me miserable by constantly accusing me and condemning me, I would say "forget them" also. Satan is the accuser; not Jesus. God has nothing but good thoughts towards us; and we should always seek to encourage one another in Christ. If you are part of a harsh, judgemental and legalistic church, for your own soul's sake run! Find a church that loves and encourages you, accepting you as you are. It is only then that you will find peace, love, and mercy for your soul!

[olger]

Righteousness good.

Unrighteousness bad.