Portrait of a God-Honoring Church, Part 2

TylerR

(Read Part 1.)

5 - Jesus Did Good by Preaching the Gospel

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him., (Acts 10:38)

Some “churches,” some denominations, and many cultural “Christians” seem to think of the Lord Jesus Christ as a Salvation Army employee. His job is to do nice things to make disadvantaged people feel happy, and to foster a sense of well-being and happiness in the community. This is the social Gospel, popularized by the novel In His Steps. It’s a false Gospel, which doesn’t bring peace.

Discussion

Portrait of a God-Honoring Church, Part 1

TylerR

In Acts 10, the Apostle Peter preached a gospel message to a Gentile named Cornelius, and to his household. Peter’s message was simple, to the point, and devastating in its bluntness and force. It’s a model of what evangelism looks like. If you want to know how to share the gospel, you need to read Peter’s message to Cornelius.

Peter did not care who He offended. He preached the truth and did not avoid hard sayings. Peter told Cornelius the plain, simple and powerful gospel. This Good News is becoming increasingly hard to find in America and the rest of the western world.

This raises the question—what should a local church spend it’s time and energy doing?

Discussion

Bad Soloists

Ron Bean

It was Christmas time 34 years ago and I was in my first year as pastor of a little country church. Being Christmas, we expected a number of visitors and I was looking forward to Sunday. That morning I learned that a long time member, Mr. _____, always played a Christmas “special”. Mr. ________ took his aged and out of tune violin from its case and scratched out a song entitled “God is Born” as he had every Christmas Sunday for years. The performance elicited smiles and “Amens” form the members and painful grimaces from the guests.

Discussion

Pew Research: Women continue to pray, attend church more than men

SI Filings

“In the United States … women are more likely than men to say religion is “very important’ in their lives (60% vs. 47%)… American women also are more likely than American men to say they pray daily (64% vs. 47%) and attend religious services at least once a week (40% vs. 32%)….According to media accounts, women so outnumber men in the pews of many U.S.

Discussion

News from the Tetreaus

SI Filings

“As we watch the fiasco of American politics unfold before us, it’s refreshing to remember that God’s Kingdom and his work for the church is not dependent on who is in office here or anywhere else.” Barnabas Chronicle

Discussion