Should the church preach the gospel?

[Just_A__Follower]

Denominational differences are about far more than music and clothing. They're mostly about non-essential doctrinal differences which have always existed and always will exist this side of heaven.

Yes I know but your average person sitting in a congregation doesn’t know what the specific differences are between theirs and the congregation next door. They usually choose a congregation based on the style of music, where their friends go, whether the preacher preaches prosperity or fire and brimstone, or the worst based on the color of the skin inside the congregation. One of my favorite sayings is eat the fish and spit out the bones. I can listen to any sermon. If I don’t agree with what is said then I simply spit the bones out. I don’t walk out because I find one bone. If we just stuck to the gospel of Jesus taking on our sin and punishment for us and being raised, so repent, love God, and love your neighbor that would cut the denomination number down greatly. Of course you’d still have those that don’t believe even that but I’d say they’re probably following a false gospel.

 

[homwardbound]

eat the fish and spit out the bones

I look for "Gold Nuggets" in everything
Example one in "Magnum Force" what sticks out to me "A man has got to know his own limitations" In "Bruce Almighty"
Bruce asked God how can one get anyone to love them without taking away free will?
That is what God does, to me, that be real love you think? I now know it, I do not just believe it anymore
By seeking Gold nuggets in every day life, I see things of great value pointed out to me. Even in the troubles I have gone through
Thanks for your insightful posts

 

[Just_A__Follower]

So listen ( as I see you already do) God still speaks and points throw that net over there as we all work together unknowingly
Thanks

I agree He definitely still tells us where to throw the net. I think sometimes we just get too comfortable being surrounded by like minded people that we are afraid to go back into the wilderness to retrieve others. I for one came from the complete darkness of following the evil one for most of my life. I have not forgotten those that were in the same situation with me. My goal is to go where they are and pull them out. Is going into the midst of alcoholics and addicts for everyone, of course not. But how else are they to hear the message that saved my life? Do I get cursed out and threatened? Of course but that’s part of it. Sometimes you catch a hook in the hand while fishing or forget to put the plug in the boat but that’s part of it.

 

[NightTwister]

Yes I know but your average person sitting in a congregation doesn’t know what the specific differences are between theirs and the congregation next door. They usually choose a congregation based on the style of music, where their friends go, whether the preacher preaches prosperity or fire and brimstone, or the worst based on the color of the skin inside the congregation. One of my favorite sayings is eat the fish and spit out the bones. I can listen to any sermon. If I don’t agree with what is said then I simply spit the bones out. I don’t walk out because I find one bone. If we just stuck to the gospel of Jesus taking on our sin and punishment for us and being raised, so repent, love God, and love your neighbor that would cut the denomination number down greatly. Of course you’d still have those that don’t believe even that but I’d say they’re probably following a false gospel.

I strongly disagree with your characterization of people in these congregations. My experience having been in many different churches, both denominational and independent, is they have a solid understanding of the basic doctrines their church holds to. The majority believe that while other denominations hold to different non-essential doctrines, they consider their members to be Christians but prefer to meet and worship with those who believe as they do.

 

[studentoftheword]

Should the local church preach the gospel to its congregation? The gospel of Jesus Christ is how he died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. Shouldn't those in the local assembly already have this checked off? Isn't church about equipping the saints through the preaching of the word to walk as children of light? When people hear the same message over and over, they do not mature in their faith but remain babes in Christ.

Thoughts??

Jesus Says this ------

Mark 2:17

Amplified Bible
When Jesus heard this, He said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need of a physician, but [only] those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners [who recognize their sin and humbly seek forgiveness].”

The Church is suppose to be for

sinners [who recognize their sin and humbly seek forgiveness].”

I say -------these aare the people who need to hear the Gospel to get Christ's Faith inbirthed in them ------so they can be saved -----and become Saints ------

 

[posthuman]

In any meeting where the public is invited, then yes, definitely. The likely presence of unbelievers makes the preaching of the basis gospel necessary.

Where your meeting is private or implicitly restricted to believers, then no.

99.9% of the church does not attend mid-week or even sunday night bible study. they only attend sunday morning.

 

[homwardbound]

I agree He definitely still tells us where to throw the net. I think sometimes we just get too comfortable being surrounded by like minded people that we are afraid to go back into the wilderness to retrieve others. I for one came from the complete darkness of following the evil one for most of my life. I have not forgotten those that were in the same situation with me. My goal is to go where they are and pull them out. Is going into the midst of alcoholics and addicts for everyone, of course not. But how else are they to hear the message that saved my life? Do I get cursed out and threatened? Of course but that’s part of it. Sometimes you catch a hook in the hand while fishing or forget to put the plug in the boat but that’s part of it.

being ready in season and out, to go where called to go or not yet. I see for me to watch out for the "Me" to get in the way. As have gotten and been there many times. seeing. God takes it all and uses it for all of us all's good. God sees all, knows all and does not beat anyone up over it as is thought did in the first testament. God has not ever done this, those things thought.
God is love and there is. no darkness in God ever. It is amazing to me, how God has put up with evil even through Son's done work of the cross for us to believe he is risen and not have to see it. Beleive it, not quit and become established

Authorized (King James) Version

Isaiah 7:9

9 And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.

Let's see this deeply please. If, one does not believe God in risen Son Jesus, one will not be established or will they?
Beleive God, recieve from God and be new in love and mercy to all, whether another believes you about God or not. Simply love all anyways, /Do not argue or fight over who is right or wrong
It is God's love that overcame evil to begin with. So overcome evil with good, God alone in risen Son given us enables us doing it, taking no credit to self in doing it, wow! amazing thank you Father and Son

 

[Just_A__Follower]

I look for "Gold Nuggets" in everything
Example one in "Magnum Force" what sticks out to me "A man has got to know his own limitations" In "Bruce Almighty"
Bruce asked God how can one get anyone to love them without taking away free will?
That is what God does, to me, that be real love you think? I now know it, I do not just believe it anymore
By seeking Gold nuggets in every day life, I see things of great value pointed out to me. Even in the troubles I have gone through
Thanks for your insightful posts

Exactly. The

I strongly disagree with your characterization of people in these congregations. My experience having been in many different churches, both denominational and independent, is they have a solid understanding of the basic doctrines their church holds to. The majority believe that while other denominations hold to different non-essential doctrines, they consider their members to be Christians but prefer to meet and worship with those who believe as they do.

The congregations must be different there. The different congregations I’ve attended, the people are usually in that denomination because they grew up in it. Yes they may believe it but it’s because it’s all they’ve heard growing up. Or they went there because of a friend and maybe they’ve been there long enough to believe it’s right. Take any congregation and ask them all to explain the differences between Baptist and Methodist and I guarantee at least 50% won’t know. Some may not even be able to tell you the differences between Southern Baptist and Pentecostal. There’s also the fact that a lot of people sitting in those congregations aren’t saved and are just there to show their faces, which is why I said the gospel needs to always be preached. Sometimes you have to keep casting the seed until it takes.

 

[NightTwister]

Exactly. The

The congregations must be different there. The different congregations I’ve attended, the people are usually in that denomination because they grew up in it. Yes they may believe it but it’s because it’s all they’ve heard growing up. Or they went there because of a friend and maybe they’ve been there long enough to believe it’s right. Take any congregation and ask them all to explain the differences between Baptist and Methodist and I guarantee at least 50% won’t know. Some may not even be able to tell you the differences between Southern Baptist and Pentecostal. There’s also the fact that a lot of people sitting in those congregations aren’t saved and are just there to show their faces, which is why I said the gospel needs to always be preached. Sometimes you have to keep casting the seed until it takes.

I disagree with your guarantee. Apparently people don't educate themselves on what their church teaches where you are.

 

[tablet123]

Should the local church preach the gospel to its congregation? The gospel of Jesus Christ is how he died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. Shouldn't those in the local assembly already have this checked off? Isn't church about equipping the saints through the preaching of the word to walk as children of light? When people hear the same message over and over, they do not mature in their faith but remain babes in Christ.

Thoughts??

Usually people that go to Church for the first time already believe the Gospel or have heard of it and some might want to know more.

But some might not know but want to turn to religion as a better way of life.

They could do a brief 2 minute sermon on it in every sermon in case some people do not know.

But there might be some people that cannot settle for the Gospel in brief detail and want to understand why it is like that not understanding how it gives salvation for it does not make sense to them.

Can't they tell God they are sorry for their sins and that's it.

The preacher could ask every sermon if there is any like that and they will explain it in detail why it has to be like that after Church.

Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
Heb 6:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

And then get on with a sermon to edify the saints for they got the basics down so move along preacher.

 

[Just_A__Follower]

I disagree with your guarantee. Apparently people don't educate themselves on what their church teaches where you are.

That is definitely a possibility. But also from what I see is that half the people in the congregations don’t do any extra studying on their own. A lot get their hour in once a week and believe they’re good to go.

 

[Dino246]

99.9% of the church does not attend mid-week or even sunday night bible study. they only attend sunday morning.

I attend an otherwise very healthy church that doesn’t offer these options. I can’t speak to the statistics.

 

[NightTwister]

That is definitely a possibility. But also from what I see is that half the people in the congregations don’t do any extra studying on their own. A lot get their hour in once a week and believe they’re good to go.

Have they told you that they aren't studying on their own, or is that just an assumption of yours?

 

[Just_A__Follower]

Have they told you that they aren't studying on their own, or is that just an assumption of yours?

Yes some have told me and others I know well enough to know they don’t. Either way it doesn’t really matter if they do or not as long as they get the message of the gospel. Only the Holy Spirit can call people to repentance. Neither you or I can force someone to believe or repent. What im saying is most of the doctrinal differences shouldn’t matter. His church is called to make disciples not doctrines. We should all be able to come together and agree that Yeshua is Truth, Love, and the only way to Life. Love Him and follow His commandments.

 

[BillG]

We as belivers are the church.

The church and Christians should be and walk the gospel.
No need preach it, be it, walk it and people will see it and people will want to know more.

Jesus did that.

 

[NightTwister]

Yes some have told me and others I know well enough to know they don’t. Either way it doesn’t really matter if they do or not as long as they get the message of the gospel. Only the Holy Spirit can call people to repentance. Neither you or I can force someone to believe or repent. What im saying is most of the doctrinal differences shouldn’t matter. His church is called to make disciples not doctrines. We should all be able to come together and agree that Yeshua is Truth, Love, and the only way to Life. Love Him and follow His commandments.

They shouldn't, but they do. Let's use an example. Do you allow those who were baptized as an infant to be a member of your church?

 

[Just_A__Follower]

They shouldn't, but they do. Let's use an example. Do you allow those who were baptized as an infant to be a member of your church?

My view on baptism is that it is for believers. In other words not infants. That being said it is not my church nor yours, it is His church and I’ll leave that up to Him and His Spirit to call someone to be baptized. We can’t say whether someone is saved or if they are part of the church. There are many members of His church that don’t attend congregations and also some that haven’t been baptized. Just because you write your information on a card and a preacher says you’re good to go doesn’t make you a member of His church. There are plenty of those that aren’t part of His church. Matthew 7:21-23. Only He can see our hearts.

 

[NightTwister]

My view on baptism is that it is for believers. In other words not infants. That being said it is not my church nor yours, it is His church and I’ll leave that up to Him and His Spirit to call someone to be baptized. We can’t say whether someone is saved or if they are part of the church. There are many members of His church that don’t attend congregations and also some that haven’t been baptized. Just because you write your information on a card and a preacher says you’re good to go doesn’t make you a member of His church. There are plenty of those that aren’t part of His church. Matthew 7:21-23. Only He can see our hearts.

So you really didn't answer the question. Differences such as this are the reason for denominations. It's not just music style and clothing.

 

[BillG]

They shouldn't, but they do. Let's use an example. Do you allow those who were baptized as an infant to be a member of your church?

mm

I wonder if Jesus said do this and do that to be a member of the church.

Let's take baptism as per above (but there is more).
If you believe that you can only be saved if you were baptised in the name of Jesus only then you could be a member of the church, along with speaking in tongues.
If not you can't be a member.

If neither of the above is not applicable to you or me then we would not be allowed to be a member.

Some denominations don't allow membership unless you have been baptised in the name of the Father/Son/Holy/Spirit.

Very sad.

 

[OLDBUTNEW]

Yes; I believe that the Church should DEFINITELY Preach THE GOSPEL!