The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum FYI - 50 Most Influential Churches

Relztrah,

I see it as "normal" and this normality consists of a two-part problem: 1) The majority of churches are not preaching the true biblical gospel and haven't for decades, perhaps for the last 150 years. Another gospel (Gal 1:7-9), another Jesus and another Spirit (2Cor 11:4) are being preached. Thus even the saints of God are being starved for real food. (Hos 4:6) 2) All mankind are born spiritual dead and thus it is only natural for people to be attracted to everything but the truth and to live a life of holiness before the Lord, worshipping Him in spirit and truth. Entertainment is what they find attractive and fulfilling and thus you find so many churches giving them what they want to hear so as to increase their numbers.

See here: No Compromise, by C.H. Spurgeon.

And here: Feeding Sheep or Amusing Goats, by C.H. Spurgeon.

Lastly, it would be erroneous to think that God is some kind of vending machine where you insert the correct change and you are guaranteed to get what you want. In short, even when a church has a faithful preacher of the Word, the Elders are administering the sacraments aright and church disciple is being practiced, any fruit that results is ultimately determined by God and His mercy and grace. (1Cor 3:7) Reformation, i.e., returning to the "Old Gospel" is the responsibility of the churches. (Hos 4:6) and the people to walk accordingly. (Jer 6:16) But revival is at the sole discretion of the Living God Who saves according to His own will. (Eph 1:4-13; Rom 8:29, 30; 9:6ff; et al)

1 Timothy 4:1-3 (ASV) "But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth."

2 Timothy 4:1-4 (ASV) "I charge [thee] in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables."

Romans 9:27 (ASV) "And Isaiah crieth concerning Israel, If the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that shall be saved:"

Romans 11:5 (ASV) "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace."

In His Grace,