the Spirit leaving the church (Full Version)

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daughterofruth -> the Spirit leaving the church (8/29/2008 12:14:26 AM)

Our church is struggling a lot and someone mentioned that maybe the Spirit has left the church. Where in the Bible is this talked about.



Child4Jesus -> RE: the Spirit leaving the church (8/29/2008 12:33:35 AM)

The Holy Spirit resides in Christians not in the building.



FurGodWurLivin -> RE: the Spirit leaving the church (8/29/2008 1:53:31 AM)

The scripture being referrenced is when the Glory of God departed the temple in Israel. I can't remember what verse it is specifically, but a woman has a kid and names him Icabod because of it.

Adam



musicboss11 -> RE: the Spirit leaving the church (8/29/2008 2:32:15 AM)

Welcome to the boards. They could be thinking about Revelation 2:5. Just a guess.



cammo2006 -> RE: the Spirit leaving the church (8/29/2008 6:12:38 AM)

Personally I think the problem is not so much the Spirit leaving (which He very well might when things get worse), but rather the Church leaving the Spirit and instead embracing horrendous New Age "teachings".

I use teachings in inverted commas because in reality the whole of the New Age movement is about deception.



rwe2156 -> RE: the Spirit leaving the church (8/29/2008 7:42:27 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: daughterofruth

Our church is struggling a lot and someone mentioned that
maybe the Spirit has left the church. Where in the Bible is this talked about.

My church is struggling, too.

The only Scripture I can think of is Eph 5 were we are told to
be filled with the Spirit. If we, the church, are not filled with the
spirit, then why?

[RANT]I think you need to look at what we call the church. We are for the most
part worldly and we operate our churches in a secular way. We rely mostly
on programs, not prayer and we fail when we can't find people to man the programs.

Need proof? How many will show up for a chili supper and movie on Saturday night
vs. a one hour Bible study followed by small prayer group ministry?

I believe the root of the problem is doctrine and theology. Most pastors and people
don't know what they believe nor why they believe it and the one's that do either
don't care or it is too boring to preach on.

We have abandoned Biblical doctrine in exchange for bigger and better.

Our pastors are CEO's. Our money is largely internalized to pay salaries to
people who are "called" to be ministers of the gospel?

I also firmly believe our church pews are FILLED with unregenerated people
who find assurance in church membership rather than a born again life.

Its not their fault, they have been deceived by false teaching.

So, for the Spirit leaving the church, no I don't think this has happened.

I believe true church is alive and well. The true church does not have a
52% divorce rate, does not live materialistic lives, loves each other,
accepts each other, disciples their children and themselves, in short
does not look, act, or talk like the "world".

You just have to look hard to find them.

I often wonder if most of our churches are little "Jesus Clubs" whose
membership are very nice, decent, upstanding citizens, but most exhibit
little or no evidence of being born again believers growing in holiness and
seeking God to be Spirit-filled.

We dress up on Sunday, maybe show up for Sunday School, and then
Monday through Saturday live just like the rest of the world.[/RANT]



earthless -> RE: the Spirit leaving the church (8/29/2008 8:11:13 AM)

I wrote a sermon series entitled 'Cardboard Christianity' based off of an old Atheistic/Agnostic adage that goes, "A Christian is a person that seeks forgiveness on Sunday for what he did on Saturday and for what he knows he will do on Monday....."



teclils -> RE: the Spirit leaving the church (8/29/2008 9:46:05 AM)

from what I have witnessed a LOT of people are all about them instead of doing HIS work...and the church is full of hurt and hurting people the teachings in the church today (not all) are not leading them to healing but are full of guilt and opression.

seeking the LORD and reading and learning HIS word is the Only way the church will get restoration. If we would focus more on what JESUS said we would all be in a better place



JimboFletch -> RE: the Spirit leaving the church (8/29/2008 10:02:49 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: FurGodWurLivin

The scripture being referrenced is when the Glory of God departed the temple in Israel. I can't remember what verse it is specifically, but a woman has a kid and names him Icabod because of it.

Adam

That's in 1 Samuel 4:21

And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.



Kat_D -> RE: the Spirit leaving the church (8/29/2008 10:52:09 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: daughterofruth

Our church is struggling a lot and someone mentioned that maybe the Spirit has left the church. Where in the Bible is this talked about.

Perhaps they simply meant the "life" has left which results in a "dead" church. You should ask the person who said it what he/she meant.



daughterofruth -> RE: the Spirit leaving the church (8/29/2008 11:50:11 PM)

Thank you for all your replies! My friend who made the statement about the spirit leaving was because our church has basically shunned two pastors in the last 6 years. Both instances were quite ugly and should never have happened the way they did. But my friend thought there was a place that talked about not taking care of the "one" who God has sent to lead us and putting out the lamp. I know I'm not explaining too well but that is what I got from her. It's a small church withsome people who have never ever gone anywhere else...thus as someone else mentioned, sometimes it becomes a social club. But there are some very dedicated Christians in our church and we are praying hard to get things back on track. Of course, we are searching for a pastor. Thanks again for your replies.



rcjames -> RE: the Spirit leaving the church (8/30/2008 9:34:00 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: daughterofruth
But there are some very dedicated Christians in our church and we are praying hard to get things back on track.


Scripture says;

(Mat 18:20) For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Thanks
RC



redeemedsaint -> RE: the Spirit leaving the church (9/1/2008 3:18:18 PM)

Very well stated. I would like to worship with the persecuted Christians when they meet in secret and are not tied dwon by things that we are tied to here in the US. The church has become too much like a social club and we cannot now tell the differnce between a Christian and a non-Christian since we come close to walking and talking the same.

quote:

ORIGINAL: rwe2156

quote:

ORIGINAL: daughterofruth

Our church is struggling a lot and someone mentioned that
maybe the Spirit has left the church. Where in the Bible is this talked about.

My church is struggling, too.

The only Scripture I can think of is Eph 5 were we are told to
be filled with the Spirit. If we, the church, are not filled with the
spirit, then why?

[RANT]I think you need to look at what we call the church. We are for the most
part worldly and we operate our churches in a secular way. We rely mostly
on programs, not prayer and we fail when we can't find people to man the programs.

Need proof? How many will show up for a chili supper and movie on Saturday night
vs. a one hour Bible study followed by small prayer group ministry?

I believe the root of the problem is doctrine and theology. Most pastors and people
don't know what they believe nor why they believe it and the one's that do either
don't care or it is too boring to preach on.

We have abandoned Biblical doctrine in exchange for bigger and better.

Our pastors are CEO's. Our money is largely internalized to pay salaries to
people who are "called" to be ministers of the gospel?

I also firmly believe our church pews are FILLED with unregenerated people
who find assurance in church membership rather than a born again life.

Its not their fault, they have been deceived by false teaching.

So, for the Spirit leaving the church, no I don't think this has happened.

I believe true church is alive and well. The true church does not have a
52% divorce rate, does not live materialistic lives, loves each other,
accepts each other, disciples their children and themselves, in short
does not look, act, or talk like the "world".

You just have to look hard to find them.

I often wonder if most of our churches are little "Jesus Clubs" whose
membership are very nice, decent, upstanding citizens, but most exhibit
little or no evidence of being born again believers growing in holiness and
seeking God to be Spirit-filled.

We dress up on Sunday, maybe show up for Sunday School, and then
Monday through Saturday live just like the rest of the world.[/RANT]



Thessa -> RE: the Spirit leaving the church (9/1/2008 5:47:35 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: cammo2006

Personally I think the problem is not so much the Spirit leaving (which He very well might when things get worse), but rather the Church leaving the Spirit and instead embracing horrendous New Age "teachings".

I use teachings in inverted commas because in reality the whole of the New Age movement is about deception.



Very well said! [:)]



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