Christians who avoid public worship/church services
Posted : 17 Jan, 2011 01:46 PM
I still cannot fathom why some Christians insist that believers in Christ DO NOT HAVE TO attend church services or "enter a building" to worship. In his or her mind, it is more than sufficient to satisfy this spiritual need inside the privacy of the home.
Is this the result of the so-called "Christians" who fail to read the Bible daily or do daily devotionals? Just wondering.
Hebrews 10 (New International Version, �2010)
Christ�s Sacrifice Once for All
1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming�not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. 4 It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:
�Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings
you were not pleased.
7 Then I said, �Here I am�it is written about me in the scroll�
I have come to do your will, my God.��
8 First he said, �Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them��though they were offered in accordance with the law. 9 Then he said, �Here I am, I have come to do your will.� He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. 14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:
16 �This is the covenant I will make with them
after that time, says the Lord.
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.�
17 Then he adds:
�Their sins and lawless acts
I will remember no more.�
18 And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.
A Call to Persevere in Faith
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another�and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, �It is mine to avenge; I will repay,� and again, �The Lord will judge his people.� 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For,
�In just a little while,
he who is coming will come
and will not delay.�
38 And,
�But my righteous one will live by faith.
And I take no pleasure
in the one who shrinks back.�
39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.
Footnotes:
Hebrews 10:7 Psalm 40:6-8 (see Septuagint)
Hebrews 10:16 Jer. 31:33
Hebrews 10:17 Jer. 31:34
Hebrews 10:30 Deut. 32:35
Hebrews 10:30 Deut. 32:36; Psalm 135:14
Hebrews 10:37 Isaiah 26:20; Hab. 2:3
Hebrews 10:38 Some early manuscripts But the righteous
Christians who avoid public worship/church services
Posted : 21 Jan, 2011 08:40 AM
Well Chevy it is very simple you walk in light of the word or you don't, and no i don't believe for one minute that people that are not part of a local body and under a pastor and giving of their gifts, are on fire, the bible says if you don't walk in light of the word you walk in darkness!!
Christians who avoid public worship/church services
Posted : 21 Jan, 2011 10:58 AM
Tulip-- I read your post again twice:goofball: and I get what you're saying that it can be profitable and I agree with that.
I just don't agree that the impression some have given is that anyone who doesn't go to a local church every Sunday isn't a 'GOOD CHRISTIAN'.
godslamb said she would question how well fed one was who didn't go to church and Dennis said a true Christian would go.
In my opinion a person can be Very Well Fed and not attend church.
If the only church where you live is pastored by a Wolf wouldn't it be more profitable to fellowship on the street corner with the sheep? A person could be just as Well Fed standing in the rain as going to a church where Jesus would never be welcome . Should they continue to go so there will be no questions about whether or not they're a real, true, good , saved , well fed Christian?
Maybe my opinion on this isn't a liked one and maybe I should read this whole thread again if what I've felt some are saying just hasn't been said.
And why would anyone think 'being under a pastor' one day a week is the only way the Holy Spirit woud lead a person to get fed. The guy in the pulpit can share the meal-- but in order to be well fed you have to eat that BREAD all by yourself every day of the week'.
P.J , if you believe a person can't be on Fire for God and not be attending a church-- you should get out more. Better yet,
I can introduce you to the ones I know. Lots o' luke-warmers sitting on church pews who will be spewed out of HIS mouth!
My friends who don't go have introduced 3 new souls to Christ this month. Have you?
What gets me is the fact that the ONLY thing these guys talk about is God. They eat, sleep and walk Jesus and yet you're telling me they can't be "on fire". Give me a Break!
Christians who avoid public worship/church services
Posted : 21 Jan, 2011 11:33 AM
Has anyone ever been to a Church Service...when ya walk in ya Feel the Presance of the Holy Spirit ???...the music starts...the voices raised...hands reach up & out...Ya Honor & Priase in Unity for one purpose...to Worship here on earth as those in Heaven...Its the most Awesome, Inspiring, Holy Spirit moving Act I've ever witnessed & been apart of...When 2 or 3 are gathered together...There the Great "I AM" is in the midst...
I know many people, professed Christians that never step foot in a Church...they are busy doing GOD's work out side of it...BUT in so doing...they Cheat GOD & Themselves of the FULL Benifit & Blessin of Group Worship, Fellowship, Communion...
To each there own...May GOD Bless ALL that call upon His Name...Christ Jesus*...xo
Christians who avoid public worship/church services
Posted : 21 Jan, 2011 01:00 PM
Jude, I attend a service like that every Sunday and you're right-- the experience is amazing!:angel:
I still have to disagree with the idea that a person is cheating God or themselves if instead of standing in the pew next to me they're outside somewhere ministering, being ministered to, fellowshipping, praising, worshipping!
How are they possibly cheating God? They don't have to be under a pastor to be under THE PASTOR.
Group worship can be experienced anywhere.
Why say professed Christians and not Christians?
I don't see the people I'm talking about as cheating God or being cheated.There have been times when I've shared what happened at church and they shared what happened where they were and our testimomies were identical as far as the presence and moving of the Holy Spirit went.
I think we're on the same page on this subject------aren't we?
Love ya Jude-- SO GLAD YOU'RE BACK!
chevy
Going to church on Sunday isn't a requirement to be an "on fire", bornagain, child of God who's Blessed and very well fed.
Christians who avoid public worship/church services
Posted : 21 Jan, 2011 01:11 PM
Plese show me where Jesus ever said if you're not part of a local body or under a pastor there's no way you can be on fire for me. Unless you show me where HE said it, I'll have to assume that's 'your opinion'.
P. J you know I respect you as a man of God--- I just don't getcha sometimes.
Christians who avoid public worship/church services
Posted : 21 Jan, 2011 03:23 PM
Awww thanxs Chevy�Love ya too Brother�We be on the same page�jus seein it All a lil differant�ima glad ta hear ya attend Church regularly & I respect your opinion & views always� ;o)�xo
Shared ~ How are they possibly cheating God?
*** By not obeying His Word�I believe GOD wants Us ALL to Fellowship Together in the Temple / Church with Him�and this is why�
Isa 66:23~ And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath { Every 7th day } to another, Shall ALL flesh � COME � To Worship Before ME, � Saith the LORD. �
*** GOD didn�t say�where ever you are worship me�( I know, I know�I worship Him privately to, but that�s another topic for another thread )�GOD said�� COME � to Worship ME�And I ask�were was it that They in the Past went ? Temple/Tent !�And were is it that we in Present go ? Church !�
Since GOD is in Christ Jesus & Christ Jesus is in GOD an IS GOD in the OT & NT�then can anyone or someone explain to me how ALL flesh comes to Worship before Him ifin they are ALL not gathered together to Worship Him ?�Ima not tryin to be difficult or indignant here�Its jus I�ve yet to find one Word that says we Are NOT to ALL gather together an go to Church / Temple to Worship HIM�
I will speak for myself here�I will follow 2000+ years of Biblical Doctrine ( GOD�s WORD) & History afor ima be following someone elses word that does not line up with GOD�s�Not sayin Ima right�not sayin You are wrong�jus sayin�
Shared ~ They don't have to be under a pastor to be under THE PASTOR.
*** You are right�A Pastor is not Above the Congregation�He is but a Servant as ALL of US are Christ Jesus* Servants in some capacity�Ifin a Pastor IS or IS Placed Above the Congregation�I�d be quick to get out of that Church�we are followers of Christ Jesus & His ways�not Mans followers�xo
Christians who avoid public worship/church services
Posted : 22 Jan, 2011 08:31 PM
The Bible says not to forsake the assembling of yourself, but that does not necessarily mean you have to be at church, and I think church camp counts, as well as getting together during the week. By the way, have you ever heard of a Cowboy Church. Not all of them necessarily meet in a building, and yet they are a church.
I think what Tulip said it best about what is the wisest and most profitable thing to do. If I'm sick with the flu, I'm not going to church and spreading the flu.
One thing the church I attend is doing is on different Sunday evenings, taking the church out of the building and bringing it the people. There are a lot of people in the past who have been burned by the "Modern Church" and will not take one step inside a church building. Others have never even heard of Christ. So how do you reach them, unless you take the Church outside of the building?
