Talk of JESUS .com

Tag: Church

GOD’S WORD for His Church
IN THE BEGINNING

God created the heavens and the earth.

IN THE BEGINNING

was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;

in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’
Gospel of Mark 7:6b-7a RSV

Doctrine for lost sheep of Christ’s Church

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

Proverbs 4:1-2 King James Version

From a chief of sinners zealous for the Word of Scripture:

To my beloved fellow believers of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Why must a believer study doctrine?

In the scriptures of the New Testament the Apostle Paul encourages the Romans of the church, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Since I have shared several studies of Doctrine from the Bible I will not rehash these in today’s conclusion to this study of Church Doctrine; however if you would like to learn more click continue reading below.
https://talkofjesus.com/what-is-doctrine
- My more recent concern for Church doctrine addressed deconstruction of Bible-based Doctrine presented as a new way to make the church relevant.
A 21st c. RECALL of the CHURCH

These include: Did God really say, Church?, Everythingology for an all-inclusive church & several more..

Why should the sheep become theologians?
- In this current series we have glanced at doctrine from several esteemed theologians, pastors of different churches.
  - Disclaimer: I am NOT a pastor but a church member zealous for the word of the Lord God and Jesus Christ.
  - To any extent you seek to study God from Scripture you become a theologian studying the will of the Lord.
“Now why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
Gospel of Luke 6:46 Legacy Standard Bible – Question of Jesus Christ to his followers

Can our Pastor Preach a self-defined Jesus?

Best NOT Preach This

For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. – 1 Cor. 3:11

And I might add from the Apostle’s letter to the church at Corinth quoted in this previous post:

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.
1 Corinthians 3:18

Why YOUR shepherd should preach Scripture

In Paul’s letter to Timothy about preaching the Apostle says:

.. you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:15b Legacy Standard Bible

All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness
[Therefore, I ask, what justification can any shepherd of the church offer for correcting God’s word while preaching ‘the bible says..?’]

Applying Scripture to the Church
- Scripture may apply only to the time in which it was written OR
- Old or New Testament Scripture may apply to these last days since the Apostles OR
- a Scripture may apply only until a day it is fulfilled.
But the BIBLE says what God says; nothing more, nothing less and certainly not anything other than the Scripture you may read for yourself.

Whenever the written word of God points to the church the godly must humbly obey. But of course you must know your Bible in order to apply God’s inspired word appropriately.
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(Don't just take some preacher's word for it that 'the Bible says' what he says.)
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In the Apostolic Age

Scripture of Christ by the hand of His Apostle John:

from The Apocalypse of John from Jesus Christ writing to seven churches:
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come..
- God WAS and IS and WILL BE–the Father of all, the Son Christ Jesus the Ever-living Word of Salvation to redeemed sinners and the Holy Spirit of the Holy God who breaths life into the lifeless souls of sinful man.
- The Lord speaks to His Church through the Spirit and the Word of Scripture.
Scripture of Christ by the hand of His Apostle Paul:

Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful things,

not acting deceitfully or distorting the word of God, but commending ourselves before God to everyone’s conscience by an open display of the truth.

But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake.
Second letter from the Apostle Paul to the Church at Corinth 4:2-5 Christian Standard Bible
- How many Christians are there in your local VISIBLE CHURCH?
  - NOT as many as most claim.
    
    For many are perishing, blinded by the god of this age.
In earlier centuries of these last days

.. the Bible possesses reproving power to correct all error unaligned with its teaching.
The Bible Convictions of John Wycliff
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MORE about the Bible translator John Wycliff
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A Doctrine to Die for (as Christ also died for His Church)

No human leader–not even the Pontiff of Rome–can claim to be head of the church on earth. Sovereign headship belongs to Christ alone. “The greater part of the clergy is heretical and the highest are the worst.”
John Wycliff , who hand-copied the first version of the Wycliff English Bible in the year of our Lord, 1382 – source

While it is yet today–until the day of reckoning
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For Yahweh of hosts will have a day of reckoning
Against everyone who is proud and high
And against everyone who is lifted up,
That he may be made low.
- Isaiah 2:12 LSB
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Once more I will defer to the theological trumpet of John Stott from THE RADICAL DISCIPLE

But fundamental to Christian behavior is the lordship of Jesus Christ. “Jesus is Lord” remains the basis of our life.

.. Is the church the lord of Jesus Christ so that it has liberty to edit and manipulate, accepting what it likes and rejecting what it dislikes?
The Radical Disciple on the challenge of ethical relativism

“He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”
Gospel of John 14:21

Christ’s Commandment for the Church

And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. – Acts of the Apostles 11:26

Search the Scriptures and you will find this the only place followers of the way of Jesus Christ, disciples of His teaching and doctrine are called ‘Christians.’

ἐκκλησία – ekklēsia or church is used 114 times in the New Testament.
- If you are a disciple of the teachings (doctrines) of the Lord Jesus Christ do you suppose God’s inspired word chooses to call us out as a church rather than referring to a building for Christians?
What must we do?

Conclusion: Christ’s Doctrine for His Church

The Gospel of Matthew 22:

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”

And He said to him,

“‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’
- Do you do that, my fellow disciple of the doctrines of Christ Jesus?
And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said,

“Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”
Gospel of Matthew 12:49-50 LSB

Matthew 18:

“Now if your brother sins against you,

go and show him his fault, between you and him alone; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.
- My beloved brother or sister of the Church, do you do that?
“But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED.
- Do you, my fellow disciple of Jesus, call upon one or two other followers of Jesus from your church to witness such a word against a member of the Lord’s body broken for you?
“And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church;
- Can you, my fellow brother in Christ, actually take such a serious division of doctrine or belief to your church?
and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as the Gentile and the tax collector.
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Of course this analogy of Jesus spoke to times before the risen Christ baptized gentiles into the Church. 
The charge of Jesus is to throw him out and have nothing to do with this unrepentant sinner who would lightly claim to be a christian.
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The DOCTRINE of the CHURCH is a life and death issue.

“Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
Gospel of Matthew 19:16
- Do you, my fellow disciple of Jesus, know what happened to the man who asked our Lord this question?
Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” .. he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.

And He is the head of the body, the church; Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,

And through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross—through Him—whether things on earth or things in heaven.
Colossians 1:18-20

The Doctrine of the Church is a LIFE and DEATH issue. And also at issue is not only death, but JUDGMENT.

We are NOT SAVED simply by calling ourselves ‘christian,’ clinging to grace yet hiding from God.

“You are My friends if you do what I command you.
“This I command you, that you love one another.
Gospel of John 15:14,17

God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. To Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
October 29, 2022
Which Bunyan character are you?
Character Reference:

Bunyan’s characters look like characters from my church (and yours).
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These past two weeks I've had some brief encounters with other 'Christians' about THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS of John Bunyan. 

Rather than adding a personal COMMENT to one of my Saturday Posts on Doctrines of the Church, I thought I might ask you directly (on a Wednesday).
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Choose your Bunyan character:

(OTHER THAN young ‘Christian,’ Hopeful or Faithful) IF you will.

I already shared with you my fear that I might become the man – the Professor of Christ – in the iron cage.

IF you will comment I will be more than happy to share with you which Bunyan character I think I most resemble. – Roger

CLICK BELOW to take another look at Bunyan’s characters:

Church of the Lost Pilgrims

Part 1 (many Bunyan characters)

Convicted Characters of Christ’s Church

Part 2 – some important characters

Which Bunyan character may look like you?

Please COMMENT how and why on this or either of the two Saturday Posts above.

BONUS Question:
- Tell us how and why YOU resemble any person from the Bible?
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I look forward to your comments - ALL are moderated personally & some not shared publically - RH
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NEXT: We will return to our continuing series following Paul on his first mission in ACTS of the Apostles.
October 26, 2022
Church of the Lost Pilgrims
The Pilgrim’s Progress in our Church

Many Christians are familiar with John Bunyan’s, THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS, but IF you will look around you at church this Sunday, you may be surprised to see some of these allegorical characters sitting right next to you in the pew or carrying on conversation at a table in your Sunday school social group.

Hopefully you will recognize some of our own local (yet well-worn) doctrinal drifts among lost ones of the flock where we claim Christ as a ‘professor‘ of the faith.
Below: order and read any of the three editions used and quoted for this post.– RH

Dover
Penguin
Crossway – edited by C. J. Lovic

John Bunyan, b.1628-d.1688, a Spirit-led seer of a DREAM of similitude, writes an allegory while imprisoned (for illegal preaching) illuminating a pilgrimage of challenges to everyday faith and exhortation from Scripture as practical cautions to the flock of everyday Christians. – RH
From THIS LIFE To The Next
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The Pilgrim's Progress From This World to That Which Is to Come
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Oh, that You would rend the heavens!
That You would come down!
That the mountains might shake at Your presence—
As fire burns brushwood,
As fire causes water to boil—
To make Your name known to Your adversaries,
That the nations may tremble at Your presence!
When You did awesome things for which we did not look,
You came down,
The mountains shook at Your presence.
For since the beginning of the world
Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear,
Nor has the eye seen any God besides You,
Who acts for the one who waits for Him.
- Isaiah 64 [A Prayer for Help] vs. 1-4, NKJV
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As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I came to a certain place where there was a cave.. As I slept I dreamed a dream.. I saw a man clothed in rags, standing in place with his face turned away from his own house.

“He had a BOOK in his hand and a heavy burden upon his back,” says Bunyan.

It is the same BOOK of Scripture, the BIBLE which Christians claim as HOLY.

(This is where it all fits into Doctrine – Christian TEACHING claimed in the PULPIT to come from the book.)

“So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

– Gospel of Luke 14:33 NKJV

“ONLY SCRIPTURE?”

+ But we have DROPPED ‘THE BOOK’

Roger@TalkofJESUS.com

A Christ-like concern for preaching, learning and following the doctrines of an authentic Scriptural faith permeated the writings of Augustine, Luther, Bunyan and many others.

Some Key Moments of Pilgrims passing through THIS LIFE

I looked then, and saw a man named Evangelist coming to him, and asked, Wherefore dost thou cry?

Sir, I perceive by the BOOK in my hand, that I am condemned to die..

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
Hebrews 9:27-28 NKJV

.. AND after that to come to Judgment!

.. AND I find that I am not willing to do the first, nor able to do the second.

Then said Evangelist,

Why NOT willing to die, since THIS LIFE is attended with so many evils?

The Man answered,

Because I fear that this burden that is upon my back will sink me lower than the Grave, and I shall fall into [the place of passing thru the fire]..

IF THIS is your condition, why do you stand still?
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The man's pilgrimage begins here (and it's only somewhat different for his wife) -- that difficult journey of faith and hope even before coming to the Cross with the BOOK. 

Bunyan points to our destined damnation as a result of this LIFE and Salvation only in the Cross of Christ Jesus.
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Christian’s dilemma which he shares with Evangelist is the BURDEN of every unsaved man, the BURDEN of every unsaved woman: JUDGMENT, our destined damnation as a result of THIS LIFE

BUT THE BOOK has shown him Salvation found only in the Cross of Christ Jesus.

DEATH, JUDGMENT and pointing so many SOULS of LOVED-ONES we know are not saved is the Gospel of the Christian Evangelist. So few find the narrow gate and follow the only path of pilgrimage prescribed to THE WAY of ETERNAL LIFE by grace of the Cross of Christ.

To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
Hebrews 9:28

WHAT MUST I DO?

“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
The Revelation of Jesus Christ to the Apostle John 7:10b NKJV

Some Characters Confronting Pilgrims
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As I have already mentioned, YOU will have met some of these on your own journey of faith, perhaps even 'in church.' 

(Go ahead, 'What's the NEW Name they go by in YOUR local church?' 
Later you can see what Bunyan thought to do with their doctrine.) 
Why not SHARE in a comment (without 21st c. names) the fruit of what they do in YOUR church LIFE.)
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- Mr. Worldly Wiseman
- Obstinate
- Pliable
- The Professor
- Talkative
- Ignorance
- Lord Hate-good
- Hopeful, Faithful & many others
a Quick-glance at Character in the Characters

Obstinate represents an intolerant class of people who think it is foolish and senseless to give up all the comforts of this world.. — its friendships, opportunities, riches, security and approval. – C.J. Lovik

Pliable and Obstinate are neighbors. One tends to stand in his worldly comfort against any change, but Pliable is a curious sort always looking to ‘something better’ than he has in THIS LIFE.

Pliable: “And do you think the words of your book are certainly true?”

(Later, as both are stuck in the mire of the Slough of Despond)

“Is this the happiness you have told me all the while of?”

.. with that he.. got out of the mire, on that side of the slough which was next to his own house, Bunyan notes of his turning back, so away he went, and Christian saw him no more.
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I waited patiently for the LORD;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the LORD.
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Do YOU know this from PSALM 40 in the BOOK?

Does your church’s ‘worship team’ sing about the LORD like this?

Almost immediately on our Journey of Faith

Worldly-Wiseman told him, “You will find the relief you seek in a nearby village called Morality. In that village resides a gentleman whose name is Legality, a judicious man of very good reputation.’

A current version of Mr. Worldly Wiseman is any liberal, broad-minded, and compromising person who has no regard for the atoning work of Jesus Christ and would rather believer a “gospel” advancing morality and social reform.. He is everywhere today, disguising his error and heresy by proclaiming a gospel of contentment and peace..
IF he mentions Christ, it is NOT as the Savior who took our place, bur as a GOOD EXAMPLE of an exemplary life.
– C.J Lovic

Evangelist: “How is it that you have so quickly turned aside? .. The man you have met is Mr. Worldly-Wiseman, and he is well named because he loves only the DOCTRINE of THIS WORLD.

They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.
First Letter of John to the Church 4:5 NKJV

Evangelist continues:

“Now these are three things in this man’s counsel that you must utterly abhor:
1. His convincing you to leave the right path.
2. His effort to make the cross repulsive to you.
3. His sending you on the very way that leads to death.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Matthew 7:13-16a, New King James Version

Evangelist: “From this narrow gate, and from the way that leads to it, has this wicked man turned you, and by so doing he has almost brought you to your own destruction.

a few ‘not-so-honorable mentions’
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Once again, it's seems I'm going a bit long on my Character mentions. So let's step quickly ahead in the Pilgrims Progress.
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“Talkative is my most familiar brother whose like I have listened to listlessly in many a Bible study and small group. – RH

The theoretical talk is one dimension that is in constant contrast and disharmony with the behavior.. the high-sounding rhetoric is set alongside the double-dealing, self-centered, and abusive behavior that litters the path down which he has trod.
C. J. Lovic
- Does your local church try to hide Talkative’s character because they bought his talk into a position of leadership or teaching?
Ignorance (another familiar follower): “I know my Lord’s will, and have been a good liver; I pay every man his own; I pray, fast, pay tithes, and give alms, and have left my country for whither I am going. “..I know you not: be content to follow the religion of your country, and I will follow the religion of mine. I hope all will be well.

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Proverbs 25:12 NKJV

Hopeful: “.. let us pass him by, if you will, and talk to him anon, even as he is able to bear it.

Bunyan adds, “So they went on, and Ignorance followed.

As a Pastor looked out over the congregation he observed three men asleep. Bunyan gives them a mention and you can read of their consequence.

John Bunyan also points to at least two scenes which convict me of my own need to continue in the pilgrimage which at times becomes difficult. For today we must look past his most convicting character who brings a chill to the darkness apart from the Light, the Professor in the iron cage.

Sunday at Vanity Fair

A contemporary Evangelist once observed a Vanity Fair along a well-traveled road (even on Sunday) – a highway to all the places with shops and sport and the lure of lucre where passing pilgrims to buy every worldly treasure. This Evangelist in the 21st century of our Lord Jesus Christ WARNED of Mr. Hate-Good, the Prince of the Fair, Envy, Superstition and Flattery; Lord Old man and Sir Greed and many others in his preaching (though many lost of his flock were not present).

Bunyan relates the trouble and trial resulting from Christian and Faithful passing through Vanity Fair:

One merchant, observing the strange conduct of the pilgrims, mockingly said to them, “What will you buy?”

But they, looking sternly at him, answered, “We buy the truth.”

This caused great offense, Bunyan notes.
- Does your witness to the Way the Truth and the Life in Jesus Christ offend any at Vanity Fair?
“Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Gospel of John 14:5b-6 NKJV

The Great One of the Fair (could it have been Jeff or Bill, perhaps a less common name like Elon presides over Bunyan’s trial of Christian and Faithful (who is condemned to death). The Judge * ‘elected by the Fair’ is Lord Hate-good. Jurors * include: Mr. Blind-man, Mr. Malice, Mr. Love-lust, Mr. Live-loose, Mr. Hot-head, Mr. Hate-light and others.
- * Juries now must include Ms. Guided, M. Undetermined and a M/Ms. Color-character.
Faithful is sentenced to death for his witness of Jesus Christ.

The question is not mine, but remains valid:
- IF a jury of ‘your peers’ examined your Christian witness, would they have enough evidence to convict you?
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October 15, 2022