I appreciate the comparison. Followers of Christ are “the church.” We need to eat meat “God’s word” and not just drink milk “the feel good things.” I want to see more “beef” taught in the church ⛪️ We need to keep spiritually maturing 💪
Again we see “the church” as the point of focus in a post. And yes, the leadership must be prepared to preach/teach the Truth in and out of season—especially Christ and Him crucified (and resurrected).
But … “the church” is a people not primarily an institution or building. Each Christ follower has been granted to do good works (works of righteousness) so as to be clothed in white linen, pure and clean, at the Wedding celebration.
The cure for sappy sermons and two dimensional ministries lies with the individual following Christ. Our salvation is betrothal but our works lead to consummation of the Marriage. It has been granted to each believer to be prepared—but like the virgins, some will not be.
This has nothing to do with cardboard ministries and everything to do with individual diligence.
My response has its genesis in the sheer number of posts the hammer and yammer at “the church.”
It’s a sore point because scripture in numerous places describes the collective of the redeemed as the Bride of Christ. The language is not an accident and not intended to be whimsical.
If you’re married, it’s unlikely that you would view well repeated derogatory comments about your wife—no matter how well intentioned. Jesus, the Groom, surely is sensitive in this regard?
The problem with “the church” posts is that much of the audience (saved or not) views “the church” as an Institution, Denomination, or Building.
I’m hoping for some writers to buck the trend as they speak of believers—collectively and individually. Too much responsibility for the ills in the body are heaped on “the church,” and too few assigned to personal responsibility.
I understand. You're not wrong. In fact, I couldn't agree more with your last sentence. I invite you to check out my substack. While I always try to deliver messages with grace, I never compromise on Biblical principles. You seem like the kind of person who would appreciate what I'm trying to accomplish. God bless.
Ron, you’ve highlighted an important truth: the Church is indeed first and foremost a people, not a building or an institution. This distinction reminds us that our faith is a living relationship with Christ, not a ritualistic adherence to organizational structures.
I completely agree that each believer has personal responsibility to grow in faith, live in righteousness, and be prepared for Christ’s return, just as the parable of the virgins in Matthew 25 underscores. As you’ve pointed out, our works are evidence of our faith and part of our preparation as the Bride of Christ (Revelation 19:7-8).
However, I wonder if there’s a bit of a conflation between "the Church" and (the local) church in your comment. The article was more about finding an adequate local church or ministry rather than making a statement on "the Church."
While the Church as Christ’s body is indeed spiritual and universal, the local church, whether as a congregation or a gathering of believers, is the practical expression of this larger body. The New Testament consistently highlights the role of local churches in equipping believers to fulfill their individual callings (Ephesians 4:11-13).
You’re right that the individual’s walk with Christ is central. But God often uses the local church to provide the fellowship, teaching, and accountability needed to deepen that walk (Hebrews 10:24-25). It plays a vital part in equipping individuals to fulfill their calling. Very few new Christians would remain in the faith if they had nowhere to go to learn and grow.
The individual and the corporate body are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they are deeply intertwined. While each believer has a personal responsibility, God designed the (local) Church as a community to support and nurture that responsibility. Sappy sermons or shallow ministries can be a problem, but being part of a Bible-teaching church helps believers stay rooted and grow in truth and love.
I'm sure we can both agree that both individual diligence and participation in a sound, Bible-teaching local church work together to strengthen believers and prepare them for the Wedding celebration.
Perhaps we could start a Christian catch-phrase, "Just the truth!" I get tired of all the extraneous nonsense surrounding the real gospel, which is very often couched in soft, fluffy boloney.
The adversary has infiltrated our fellowships. Even though Jesus said quite plainly those who love Him will obey His commands and that He did not come to do away with the law, we are taught the law is null and void and irrelevant. It's all about love. Forget obedience.
If we truly believe Jesus is God and we truly believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, then It follows we must believe Jesus wrote ALL the commands in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. That makes them ALL His commands.
He is either God or He is not. The Bible is either the inspired Word of God or it's not. You cannot have it both ways.
Where is the meat of the teachings of God in the Bible being taught in the Christian fellowships? Any time you hear obedience or obeying God's laws, it's only certain laws. It's pick and choose. Grace covers everything! Thing is, the truth is Grace does not cover willful obedience.
Those who do try to follow Jesus teachings in commands, all of them that are applicable to their gender and position and access, are told they are somehow sinning and nullifying the grace of Jesus. This is hogwash.
We are saved by grace, but we are called to obedience and there are scriptures all throughout the New Testament that tell us this. We have been delivered from slavery to sin to being capable of obeying God's laws.
Sadly, we've been propagandized and told that those scriptures don't mean what they say. It all started in the garden. "Did God really say?" is the tactic that was used back then and it's still being used now.
People need to look up the Biblical definitions for holiness, sanctification, and mercy. Not man's definitions, God's definitions in the Bible. People need to be truly studying the scriptures like the Bereans, seeking the Truth rather than seeking to buttress what they think is the truth.
Every teacher that teaches even the least of the commandments does not have to be obeyed will answer for that. Jesus Himself said it.
And let's not forget. The only scriptures they had back when Paul told Timothy that all scripture is profitable for reproof and correction and teaching, was the Old Testament. Specifically, the books of Moses were used. The Torah, which is best translated as teachings. There's more than just the law in there.
Once my eyes were opened to the Truth, I could not unsee it. Once I was able to get rid of the propaganda and the indoctrination I was taught, I was set free from the doctrines of man. I've since been living according to the Word, both written and living, and it's been an amazing journey that started years ago.
I am so humbled and blessed to be studying His Word with eyes wide open. I have learned so much and had so many of the inexplicable verses of the Bible actually explained. Things that never really quite made sense and that pastors would duck and dodge around, became understandable. It was all about context.
Where's the beef? Sadly, you won't find much, if any, coming from the typical Christian pulpit. There are some that teach the Truth, but not many.
I appreciate the comparison. Followers of Christ are “the church.” We need to eat meat “God’s word” and not just drink milk “the feel good things.” I want to see more “beef” taught in the church ⛪️ We need to keep spiritually maturing 💪
Again we see “the church” as the point of focus in a post. And yes, the leadership must be prepared to preach/teach the Truth in and out of season—especially Christ and Him crucified (and resurrected).
But … “the church” is a people not primarily an institution or building. Each Christ follower has been granted to do good works (works of righteousness) so as to be clothed in white linen, pure and clean, at the Wedding celebration.
The cure for sappy sermons and two dimensional ministries lies with the individual following Christ. Our salvation is betrothal but our works lead to consummation of the Marriage. It has been granted to each believer to be prepared—but like the virgins, some will not be.
This has nothing to do with cardboard ministries and everything to do with individual diligence.
Agreed on your comment about the "church" as a monolith...
Your points are well made and accurate.
My response has its genesis in the sheer number of posts the hammer and yammer at “the church.”
It’s a sore point because scripture in numerous places describes the collective of the redeemed as the Bride of Christ. The language is not an accident and not intended to be whimsical.
If you’re married, it’s unlikely that you would view well repeated derogatory comments about your wife—no matter how well intentioned. Jesus, the Groom, surely is sensitive in this regard?
The problem with “the church” posts is that much of the audience (saved or not) views “the church” as an Institution, Denomination, or Building.
I’m hoping for some writers to buck the trend as they speak of believers—collectively and individually. Too much responsibility for the ills in the body are heaped on “the church,” and too few assigned to personal responsibility.
Thx.
I understand. You're not wrong. In fact, I couldn't agree more with your last sentence. I invite you to check out my substack. While I always try to deliver messages with grace, I never compromise on Biblical principles. You seem like the kind of person who would appreciate what I'm trying to accomplish. God bless.
Ron, you’ve highlighted an important truth: the Church is indeed first and foremost a people, not a building or an institution. This distinction reminds us that our faith is a living relationship with Christ, not a ritualistic adherence to organizational structures.
I completely agree that each believer has personal responsibility to grow in faith, live in righteousness, and be prepared for Christ’s return, just as the parable of the virgins in Matthew 25 underscores. As you’ve pointed out, our works are evidence of our faith and part of our preparation as the Bride of Christ (Revelation 19:7-8).
However, I wonder if there’s a bit of a conflation between "the Church" and (the local) church in your comment. The article was more about finding an adequate local church or ministry rather than making a statement on "the Church."
While the Church as Christ’s body is indeed spiritual and universal, the local church, whether as a congregation or a gathering of believers, is the practical expression of this larger body. The New Testament consistently highlights the role of local churches in equipping believers to fulfill their individual callings (Ephesians 4:11-13).
You’re right that the individual’s walk with Christ is central. But God often uses the local church to provide the fellowship, teaching, and accountability needed to deepen that walk (Hebrews 10:24-25). It plays a vital part in equipping individuals to fulfill their calling. Very few new Christians would remain in the faith if they had nowhere to go to learn and grow.
The individual and the corporate body are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they are deeply intertwined. While each believer has a personal responsibility, God designed the (local) Church as a community to support and nurture that responsibility. Sappy sermons or shallow ministries can be a problem, but being part of a Bible-teaching church helps believers stay rooted and grow in truth and love.
I'm sure we can both agree that both individual diligence and participation in a sound, Bible-teaching local church work together to strengthen believers and prepare them for the Wedding celebration.
Perhaps we could start a Christian catch-phrase, "Just the truth!" I get tired of all the extraneous nonsense surrounding the real gospel, which is very often couched in soft, fluffy boloney.
A mixture of humour and seriousness in this post!
I still use the phrase “where’s the beef?” and now unfortunately it can be an expression of incredulity when speaking of the church.
The adversary has infiltrated our fellowships. Even though Jesus said quite plainly those who love Him will obey His commands and that He did not come to do away with the law, we are taught the law is null and void and irrelevant. It's all about love. Forget obedience.
If we truly believe Jesus is God and we truly believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, then It follows we must believe Jesus wrote ALL the commands in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. That makes them ALL His commands.
He is either God or He is not. The Bible is either the inspired Word of God or it's not. You cannot have it both ways.
Where is the meat of the teachings of God in the Bible being taught in the Christian fellowships? Any time you hear obedience or obeying God's laws, it's only certain laws. It's pick and choose. Grace covers everything! Thing is, the truth is Grace does not cover willful obedience.
Those who do try to follow Jesus teachings in commands, all of them that are applicable to their gender and position and access, are told they are somehow sinning and nullifying the grace of Jesus. This is hogwash.
We are saved by grace, but we are called to obedience and there are scriptures all throughout the New Testament that tell us this. We have been delivered from slavery to sin to being capable of obeying God's laws.
Sadly, we've been propagandized and told that those scriptures don't mean what they say. It all started in the garden. "Did God really say?" is the tactic that was used back then and it's still being used now.
People need to look up the Biblical definitions for holiness, sanctification, and mercy. Not man's definitions, God's definitions in the Bible. People need to be truly studying the scriptures like the Bereans, seeking the Truth rather than seeking to buttress what they think is the truth.
Every teacher that teaches even the least of the commandments does not have to be obeyed will answer for that. Jesus Himself said it.
And let's not forget. The only scriptures they had back when Paul told Timothy that all scripture is profitable for reproof and correction and teaching, was the Old Testament. Specifically, the books of Moses were used. The Torah, which is best translated as teachings. There's more than just the law in there.
Once my eyes were opened to the Truth, I could not unsee it. Once I was able to get rid of the propaganda and the indoctrination I was taught, I was set free from the doctrines of man. I've since been living according to the Word, both written and living, and it's been an amazing journey that started years ago.
I am so humbled and blessed to be studying His Word with eyes wide open. I have learned so much and had so many of the inexplicable verses of the Bible actually explained. Things that never really quite made sense and that pastors would duck and dodge around, became understandable. It was all about context.
Where's the beef? Sadly, you won't find much, if any, coming from the typical Christian pulpit. There are some that teach the Truth, but not many.