The World Stole the ChurchPreface
There is much Bible Scripture here; from God; Hover over it; muse and meditate upon what God is saying to all of us.
Because of the state of the church in general, this is not an easy book to read or write!
The Apostle Paul says his instructions were practiced in all the churches! This raises the question; what happened to the church on its way to the 21st Century?
This book has a word that is not easy, not superficial, but is hard, complex, and not pleasing,
all because
“The World Stole the Church”;
this book of Scripture messages is the Truth of God the Holy Spirit; It has in it the Words of God from the Holy Spirit!
All the early churches of Paul’s day practiced these instructions in their assemblies of how they were to operate; Paul says this in
“33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” – 1 Corinthians 14:33
Unfortunately, few may pay attention!
Our country is very religious! But is it the Christian religion? Is it based on the Bible’s revealed Word and Will from God?
What church are we talking about?
There is the true Church in Heaven and in the heart of every born-again believer.
That is not primarily what this book is about.
There are over 325 denominations here on earth.
That man made church, on earth, is what this book is about.
That is “The Church Which the World has Stolen”;
because the church on earth is supposed to represent the Eternal Church in Heaven;
That church on earth has failed!
Because of our difficulty in paying attention to the injunctions of Bible Scripture, redundancy of both Bible Truths, and quotations from Bible Scripture are on purpose. These are presented frequently and repeatedly.
The church on earth has changed. The great hymns of the faith are not often heard. There is lacking Scripture exhortation of one another. Indeed, there is a question, whether or not the members of this earthly church have the Scriptures in their memory or heart.
BIGGER is BETTER;
That is the mantra of the world and has become the mantra of the earthly church.
BIGGER is BETTER?
Is that from the Bible Scriptures? That is subject this book is addressing.
Christ is speaking to all of us:
“20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” – Matthew 18:20
Wanting the church to be popular is a contradiction of
“12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” -2 Timothy 3:12
The world’s mantra, as it looks on the outside of things, such as “bigger, better, richer, nicer, finer”, “I’m Okay, You’re Okay”, is not Biblical.
Christ’s call to His own is
“23 And he said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
- Luke 9:
The Holy Spirit’s call to us is
“2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
“1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” - Romans 12:
“12 But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep
are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and fleeth: and
the wolf catchs them, and scattereth the sheep. - 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.” – John 10:
“1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.”
“10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
– John 10:
We need small groups of believers which exhort, comfort, and share with one another, in the trials of our life in the world.
“12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
- 2 Timothy 3:12
It is crucial that this exhortation, by each group member, be based upon the Word from Scripture;
not the member’s own ideas.
This is difficult; for how many church members know their Scripture and have exhortations to give from the Word of God?
These small groups should be found in our churches when their size does not lend itself to exhortation and fellowship in the Word with one another;
In churches which do not have such small groups, the highest priority should be given to
a. Arranging for them,
b. Appointment of leaders that both
i. Understand the need for them,
ii. Understand the requirements, and
iii. Understand the motivation for them,
iv. Committed to their proper implementation!
“26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.” – 1 Corinthians 14:
“1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:”
- 2 Corinthians 4:
Why is this Ministry of Exhortation, by all members of the Body of Christ, important?
Because God’s plan for His church is that the Body of Christ on earth not be complete without all the members exercising the Gifts given them by the Holy Spirit of God!
“21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.” - 1 Corinthians 12:
Col 2:19 “And not holding the Head, from which all the body
by joints and bands
having nourishment ministered, and knit together,
increases with the increase of God.”
“20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 1Co 12:14, 1Co 12:12
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Num 10:31-32, Ezr 10:1-5, Neh 4:16-21, Job 29:11
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:”
- Corinthians 12:
If you or your church are perfect, or not in need of Bible Scripture exhortations, this book is not for you!
It is not addressed to you!
This book is addressed only to those who believe that the members of the church, both ministers and laymen, need to exhort, one another, with the Scripture; And they personally desire this exhortation with Bible Scripture!
“19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. “ - Colossians 2:19
See 1 Corinthians 12: 4-16 and 20-21.
Some words of warning from Scripture
“15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” -Matthew 7:
“7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”
- 2 John 1:
2 John 1:
“9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Tit 1:7-16, Mar 10:35-45, Rom 12:10, Mat 23:4-8
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.”
-3 John 1:
“13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. Rev 2:2, Gal 1:7, Phi 3:2, Gal 2:4
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Gal 1:8, Rev 12:9, 2Co 2:11, 2Co 11:3
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”
- 2 Corinthians 11:
“20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.”
- 2 Corinthians 11:
“26 These things have I written unto you concerning
them that seduce you. 2Jo 1:7, 1Jo 3:7, Mar 13:22, 2Ti 3:13
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him
abideth in you,
and ye need not that any man teach you:
but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things,
and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught
you, ye shall abide in him.”
- 1 John 2: