The Church Family...

redcliffsw · September 11, 2011, 09:02:29 AM

The Church Family
Devotion for September 11, 2011
http://www.straightpaths.mzbc.com/

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
Hebrews 10:25.

The doctrine of the New Testament church has been the subject of great misunderstanding and controversy. False teachings and the traditions of men that minimize the importance of the Lord's churches have been embraced as truth. Church membership and member loyalty are, in many places, a thing of the past. However, when we read and study our Bibles carefully, it becomes obvious that there is a unique and powerful union that exists among the members of the church body. That relationship affords benefits that are especially realized in a local church, in the assembly of the congregation.

As with most benefits, this privilege is accompanied by responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is faithful attendance to the church assembly. Our text says, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is." Faithful church attendance is clearly taught and expected in the Word of God. When the church members assemble for teaching and worship, it is our duty to assemble with them.

The Bible further admonishes us to "exhort one another daily" (Hebrews 3:13). The word daily indicates regular and consistent interaction. This responsibility is not possible without regular and faithful interaction with fellow members. The Word of God also says that, "the members should have the same care one for another" and "whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it" (I Corinthians 12:25, 26). How can we know when members are suffering, or how can we care for them if we are not faithful in our attendance? For these verses to be personalized and experienced, we must be familiar with and committed to helping fellow church members.

These are only a few examples that describe the way members of a local church share in each other's lives. This kind of relationship is not possible if we are not actively attending services and having consistent fellowship with members of the church family. God intended for church members to be committed to each other. We are to see ourselves as members of the same body. Through our faithful participation, every member of the church family contributes to the spiritual wellbeing of the body.

Diane Amberg · September 11, 2011, 02:17:09 PM

Perfectly fine, but there are many who cannot go to regular church on the usual day. They are called public service and public safety workers. If someone has a heart attack or stroke at services, we are expected to show up and not say "sorry, not until my own church service is over, I'm busy." So sorry, can't put your fire out....we're at church. I do wish the world was that simple. I don't think we are any less Christian for taking care of duty whenever it calls. I think God understands.

Judy Harder · September 11, 2011, 02:38:32 PM

I agree, diane, when I worked hospitals and ER and post op..........I did a lot of weekend work, I chose to work holidays.
I worked nights, so unless I missed out on family gatherings in Topeka, I managed to spend most of the days with my kids and they didn't mind me working.and sleeping part of the day.

People don't chose to spend holidays in the hospitals, nor do they ask for illnesses and accidents happen, a lot during weekends and holidays.
Would I do it again. You bet I would. It is a special part of nursing...........and I always managed to find a blessing when I did.

Oh, I still attended church.......when I could........and I must say, that a lot of years I back slid and put God on the back burner, if I thought of Him at all...............when I fell hard into my cess pool, He was there to pick me up and love me anyway.
Church attendance and my Born Again Christianity was just what God was waiting for. Also walking, playing and sharing my life with other Christians has helped a bunch, too.
God does forgive.that is called His Grace!

srkruzich · September 11, 2011, 03:29:56 PM

Quote from: Diane Amberg on September 11, 2011, 02:17:09 PM
Perfectly fine, but there are many who cannot go to regular church on the usual day. They are called public service and public safety workers. If someone has a heart attack or stroke at services, we are expected to show up and not say "sorry, not until my own church service is over, I'm busy." So sorry, can't put your fire out....we're at church. I do wish the world was that simple. I don't think we are any less Christian for taking care of duty whenever it calls. I think God understands.

There is such a thing as rotating duties. My dad was on call for many years but he made it to church MOST of the time. But then church's were like Reds article and were events that bind.

srkruzich · September 11, 2011, 03:33:27 PM

Quote from: Judy Harder on September 11, 2011, 02:38:32 PM
I agree, diane, when I worked hospitals and ER and post op..........I did a lot of weekend work, I chose to work holidays.
I worked nights, so unless I missed out on family gatherings in Topeka, I managed to spend most of the days with my kids and they didn't mind me working.and sleeping part of the day.

People don't chose to spend holidays in the hospitals, nor do they ask for illnesses and accidents happen, a lot during weekends and holidays.
Would I do it again. You bet I would. It is a special part of nursing...........and I always managed to find a blessing when I did.

Oh, I still attended church.......when I could........and I must say, that a lot of years I back slid and put God on the back burner, if I thought of Him at all...............when I fell hard into my cess pool, He was there to pick me up and love me anyway.
Church attendance and my Born Again Christianity was just what God was waiting for. Also walking, playing and sharing my life with other Christians has helped a bunch, too.
God does forgive.that is called His Grace!

Same here. It took God knocking me down with the 2x4 to get my attention. I worked 16 hour x7 days many years. He took my health to get my attention.

Right now I don't go because i have not found any place close enough to get to that shares my core beliefs. There aren't any southern baptists around here that i know of and of the ones i've been to, i wouldn't darken the doors again.

redcliffsw · September 11, 2011, 09:24:43 PM

Quote from: srkruzich on September 11, 2011, 03:33:27 PM
Right now I don't go because i have not found any place close enough to get to that shares my core beliefs. There aren't any southern baptists around here that i know of and of the ones i've been to, i wouldn't darken the doors again.

I agree, anymore it's not easy locating a good church. They're few and far between. There's one in Howard that seems to be
conservative and bible-believing that I've been to whenever close-by.

Diane Amberg · September 12, 2011, 11:20:33 AM

Wow, you guys throw out insults pretty easily don't ya? Whew!

srkruzich · September 12, 2011, 05:00:31 PM

Quote from: Diane Amberg on September 12, 2011, 11:20:33 AM
Wow, you guys through out insults pretty easily don't ya? Whew!

Do what? No ones thrown any insults. Sheesh Diane.

Diane Amberg · September 12, 2011, 06:48:15 PM

Steve, you said of the churches around there, of the ones you've been to, you wouldn't darken their doors again...That's a compliment is it?

Not meaning to stir things up, but that sounds kinda critical to me. Not even for a wedding or a funeral?

srkruzich · September 12, 2011, 08:05:52 PM

Quote from: Diane Amberg on September 12, 2011, 06:48:15 PM
Steve, you said of the churches around there, of the ones you've been to, you wouldn't darken their doors again...That's a compliment is it? Not meaning to stir things up, but that sounds kinda critical to me. Not even for a wedding or a funeral?

No its not a compliment. I wouldn't darken their doors because A. they teach a false doctrine, B. they're deader than a doornail, C. they are there for show and nothing else, or D they are so unfriendly that not one will say hi or get the hell out of here. So yeah i have my criteria for churches.

Secondly i will not go to a church that is doctrinally against what i believe. If they are, they are not a church i would want to go to. Since there are no southern baptist churches the only one i have found that is even close is the Mennonite bretheren. Its about 2 hours from here. So i can't go very often.

JUST because i do not believe all churches are the same and all are right doesn't make it a insult that i wouldn't darken their doors again. Thats just a statement of fact. My family comes from a catholic background and we rejected catholicism as apostate. Is that an insult? Not at all. its a belief based on fact.

IF you haven't figured out by now, i don't mince words nor do i blow smoke up someones butt to make them feel good. I also do not lie to people about biblical beliefs. I am not going to say so and so church is one of Gods churches when they obviously are dead as a doornail. God doesn't even darken the door of a dead church.

It says in revelation
Rev 2:12 KJV - And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
Rev 2:13 KJV - I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, [even] where Satan's seat [is]: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas [was] my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
Rev 2:14 KJV - But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
Rev 2:15 KJV - So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Rev 2:16 KJV - Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

I have been to too many churchs in the last few years and 95% of them that i have been to hold the doctrineof balaam which is a religious system which purports to act on the instructions of God and which exists within the very Churches of God. However, it is, in fact, of the Babylonian system and teaches those doctrines undermining Israel from the outset.

Doctrine of the Nicolatians is
The full meaning of Nicolaitans, in its native tongue and in its ecclesiastical setting, is that the bishops and prelates of the Church have gained a triumphal victory or conquest over the LAITON, the laity, until they have been compelled to submit to the arbitrary dominion of men who have become that thing which God hates - 'Lords over God's heritage':

"If anyone shall say that there is not in the Catholic Church a hierarchy established by the divine ordination, consisting of bishops, presbyters and ministers, let him be anathema, Council of Trent (translation) XXIII 6." (Century Dictionary)

In other words, let anyone who has the audacity to say there is not a hierarchy, not a collection of human beings who have been given the power by other men of dominion, as ecclesiastical rulers over churchmen who are declared God's heritage, let that man be ACCURSED --- let death and hell and the devil get him. Surely, the thing in which that ecclesiastical company is glorying is their shame!