The World Stole the Church
Introduction
The church has changed!
Christ told us this would happen in His “Mysteries of the Kingdom” parables.
“11 He answered and said unto them, because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.”
– Matthew 13:
- Matthew 13:11 The Apostle Paul also told us this would happen.
Acts 20:
| “28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. |
| 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. |
| 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. |
| 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. |
| 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. |
| 33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.” |
The Apostle Paul tells them to watch and be alert.
“13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”
– 1 Corinthians 16:
- 1
| “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. | 1Pe 2:5, Rom 6:13, Rom 6:19, Heb 13:15-16 |
| 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.” – Romans 12: |
- Romans 12:
Paul reminds them that he had spent three years, night and day, warning them, with tears, of these things!
“31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” – Acts 20: (KJV)
- Acts 20 References and Resources:
PilgrimSafe.com
DiscipleshipLibrary.com
YourTruth4U.com
TheLamp4U.com
The subject matter and thesis of this book is:
the world in the church and its negative impact!
God’s Scripture teaches us that we are to exhort one another!
This is different from the belief by some that the church is beyond exhortation.
“But exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching.”
- He The letters to the early churches are filled with exhortation and correction!
“25 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.” – 1 Corinthians 14:
- Hebrews 10:25 “16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
- for
- reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” – 2 Timothy 3
- 2 Timothy 3:16
We are to exhort one another with the exhortations of Scripture!
Not only does the church need exhortation, but ministers of the Gospel need exhortation.
The pressures on preachers is horrendous!
We have, contrary to Scriptures, puffed up our ministers; putting them on pedestals.
“That no one of you be puffed up for one against another.”
- 1 Corinthians 4:8
“6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.”
– 1 Corinthians 3:
All believers in Christ are Saints in their “New Creation”, in Christ, in Heaven; on earth, we all sin and come short of God’s Glory!
When we sin, we sin with our “Old Nature” from Adam, and not with the New Nature.
- 1 Corinthian “4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not
Carnal.” 1 Corinthians 3:
- 1 Corinthians 3:4
“6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.” – 1 Corinthians 4:6
- 1 Corinthians 4:6
“8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
– 1 John 1:
- 1 John 1:
God has showed us why the church has changed.
It is not because of the younger generation, a change in culture, our one time fleshly failures, changing times, etc.
It is the World!
It is the World in the church!
It is about the Word from God, our failure to know it, to believe it, to obey it, hide it in our hearts, use it to exhort one another.
It is about our failure to provide encouragement, place and time, to properly use the Word of God, to know it, and remind one another with it.
“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 Corinthian1
“31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.” – 1 Corinthians 14:
Every church assembly is different. Perhaps some are perfect. God knows; but there are many that have failed to obey Christ’s commands given through the Apostles!
- 1 Corinthians 14:31 Our Imperfections involve:
- We have 1. We have forsaken the great hymns of the faith; faith;
- 26 How is
| “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: | Eph 5:19, Rom 14:19, 1Th 5:11, 1Co 12:7-10 |
- Corinthian 2. Quality of worship has been replaced with a pander to
- Quantity
- 3. World popularity has replaced the importance of sound teaching teaching;
“3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;” – 2 Timothy 4:3
- 2 Timothy 4:
4. We have made and placed money and budgets above the
value of Christian Fellowship;
“11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.” – Titus 1:11
- Titus 1:11
- We have ignored the teaching of the Holy Spirit of Truth;
- We have replaced Scripture exhortation of the brotherhood with assemblies which ignore Scripture injunctions;
“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 Corinthians 14: 7. We have replaced following God with following after and puffing
- up men;
- and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.” – 1 Corinthians 4:
- 1 Corinthians 4:6
- 8. We have replaced waiting on the Lord, in the Holy Spirit, in
- quietness, with much high volume of sound;
“15 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.” – Isaiah 30:15
- We have replaced God’s Scriptural instructions concerning how we are to gather together with the world’s ideas;
“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.
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” – 1 Corinthians 14:
Matthew 13:27 – 33
| 24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: | Mat 13:47, Luk 13:20, Mat 25:1, Mat 20:1 |
| 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. | 1Pe 5:8, Rev 12:9, Act 20:30-31, Gal 2:4 |
| 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. | Mar 4:26-29 |
| 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? | Rom 16:17, 2Co 5:18-20, 1Co 16:10, Gal 3:1-3 |
| 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? | 1Co 5:3-7, Luk 9:49-54, 2Co 2:6-11, 1Th 5:14 |
| 29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. | No Cross-Refs |
| 30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. | Mat 3:12, 1Co 4:5, Mal 3:18, Mat 25:32 |
| 31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: | Mar 4:30-32, Luk 13:18-19, Mat 13:24, Mat 17:20 |
| 32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. | Dan 4:12, Eze 31:6, Act 21:20, Dan 2:44-45 |
| 33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.” | Luk 13:21, Gal 5:9, Gen 18:6, Pro 4:18 |
Acts 20:
| “17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. | Act 11:30, Jam 5:14, Tit 1:5, 1Ti 5:17 |
| 18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, | Act 18:19, Act 19:10, Act 19:1, 1Th 2:1-10 |
| 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: | Act 20:3, Act 20:31, 2Co 2:4, Rom 12:11 |
| 20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, | Act 20:27, Act 5:42, Act 20:31, 2Ti 4:2 |
| 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. | Act 2:38, Act 20:24, Act 11:18, 1Jo 5:11-13 |
| 22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: | 2Co 5:14, Act 21:11-14, Act 17:16, Act 20:16 |
| 23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. | Act 9:16, Act 21:4, 1Th 3:3, Act 14:22 |
| 24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. | Act 21:13, Act 20:21, Gal 1:1, 2Co 4:1 |
| 25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. | Act 28:31, Act 20:38, Mat 4:23, Act 8:12 |
| 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. | Act 18:6, 1Ti 5:22, 2Co 7:2, Eze 3:18-21 |
| 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. | Act 20:20, Eph 1:11, Luk 7:30, Mat 28:20 |
| 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. | Isa 40:11, 1Pe 5:2-3, Eph 1:7, Act 20:29 |
| 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. | Mat 7:15, Act 20:28, Joh 10:12, 2Pe 2:1 |
| 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. | 2Ti 4:3-4, 1Jo 2:19, Jud 1:4-16, Act 11:26 |
| 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. | Act 19:10, Heb 13:17, Act 19:8, Col 1:28 |
| 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. | Col 1:12, Col 3:24, Heb 9:15, Act 26:18 |
| 33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. | 1Co 9:12, 2Co 11:9, 2Co 7:2, 1Co 9:18 |
| 34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. | Act 18:3, Act 19:22, 2Th 3:8-9, 1Co 4:12 |
| 35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. | 2Co 9:6-12, Pro 19:17, Luk 14:12-14, 1Th 5:14 |
| 36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. | Luk 22:41, Act 21:5, Act 7:60, Eph 3:14 |
| 37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him, | 2Ti 1:4, Luk 15:20, Gen 45:14, 1Co 16:20 |
| 38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.” |