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Away-From-The-Umbrella · 05-09-2011, 02:16 AM

(05-09-2011 01:51 AM)GraceThruFaith Wrote: Alright, so it's Sunday night and I attended my IFB church tonight.

What was the pastor's big rant tonight? Being dogmatic about what he believes. Early on in his sermon he yelled, "We (I) preach the truth!" This was just so that everything that proceeded was to show that if you disagree, you are not believing the truth.

My pastor again mentioned churches who use rock music are being deceived by Satan. Additionally, he said that if you want to use rock music, you should first fast a few times a week, have a few sleepless nights, and visit the sick before deciding on rock music.

"CCM does not create peace; it creates disruption." I have no clue what that means but he said it tonight.

I guess there are churches and preachers who say you shouldn't bring your Bible to church as it will offend people. I've never heard this before but my pastor said it.

There was more, but I wasn't paying enough attention.

Hang in there. During the last several months of my membership at the compound I had a e-penpal who I used to share the crazy $#!7 my (former) pastor said every Sunday night. Venting helped me get through it.

exIFB · 05-09-2011, 03:59 AM

Don't people get sick of hearing the same thing? and don't pastors get sick of preaching the same "standards". It's boring. No life in it.

**pastor's wife** · 05-09-2011, 07:13 AM

(05-09-2011 01:51 AM)GraceThruFaith Wrote: What was the pastor's big rant tonight? Being dogmatic about what he believes. Early on in his sermon he yelled, "We (I) preach the truth!" This was just so that everything that proceeded was to show that if you disagree, you are not believing the truth.

Yes, that's totally a power play, a way to keep people from questioning him. It is, btw, extremely arrogant. I'd prefer him to say, "God's Word is true" not his personal interpretation of it.

Quote:"CCM does not create peace; it creates disruption." I have no clue what that means but he said it tonight.

It causes disruption when the people in your church have been fed the line all their life that CCM is from the devil. Try to sing a praise song around folks like this and they cause a huge stink: 1) if they're sincere people, they really are afraid CCM is sin; 2) if they're self-righteous, they insist on keeping their strict standards so they can feel better than other Christians; and 3) if they're hypocrites, they want to keep their Sunday morning holy hour "pure" so they feel that they did their religious thing and can now live the rest of the week for themselves.

CCM in itself does not cause disruption. It is people who are unwilling to change, who have hard and unteachable hearts, who cause disruption.

**pastor's wife** · 05-09-2011, 07:18 AM

(05-09-2011 03:59 AM)exIFB Wrote: Don't people get sick of hearing the same thing? and don't pastors get sick of preaching the same "standards". It's boring. No life in it.

"He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." 2 Corinthians 3:6

Sermon after sermon on dress standards, music styles, and Bible versions is STIFLING to one's true spiritual growth, but there is life and power in preaching the Gospel, in rejoicing in the grace of God Who rescued our souls from hell and has adopted us into His family.

In my experience, all I have to do is look at people's lives: which group - the one focusing on standards or the one focusing on Gospel - best reflects the fruit of the Spirit in their lives? Which group is loving, kind, patience, and gentle?

Mrs X · 05-09-2011, 07:51 AM

I can't agree more PW. For 15+ years I lived the lifestyle of rules as opposed to grace and was a spiritual dwarf with stunted growth. I can honestly say I've grown so much more in God's grace and have become more dependant upon HIM instead of a man and rules telling me what to do. Isn't that what it's all about? I am grateful to the Lord and His grace.

and

(05-09-2011 07:18 AM)pastors wife Wrote:
(05-09-2011 03:59 AM)exIFB Wrote: Don't people get sick of hearing the same thing? and don't pastors get sick of preaching the same "standards". It's boring. No life in it.

"He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." 2 Corinthians 3:6

Sermon after sermon on dress standards, music styles, and Bible versions is STIFLING to one's true spiritual growth, but there is life and power in preaching the Gospel, in rejoicing in the grace of God Who rescued our souls from hell and has adopted us into His family.

In my experience, all I have to do is look at people's lives: which group - the one focusing on standards or the one focusing on Gospel - best reflects the fruit of the Spirit in their lives? Which group is loving, kind, patience, and gentle?

GraceThruFaith · (This post was last modified: 05-15-2011 11:41 PM by GraceThruFaith.)

Tonight, I attended both the morning and evening services at my IFB church (I normally only attend Sunday night).

Sunday Morning
He preached from 1 Timothy 3:7, specifically the "snare of the devil" part (KJV).
The pastor said that 'snare' means 'trap', which I agree with after cross-checking other translations.
1 Tim 3:6 (KJV) uses the word 'pride' so you know my IFB pastor is going to have a field day with that word....
Not verbatim, but if you say No to anyone who requests a favor from you, you have pride.
If you pursue money or a good job, this pursuit will ALWAYS lead to losing it...ALWAYS.
He never uses a visual aid but he brought with him a mouse trap this morning as an illustration.
Satan makes sin attractive. He makes wine, smoking, and gambling (the big 3) attractive. "No one in this room can say that wine has helped their family." Well, pastor, why don't you say the same about fast food, energy drinks, and sugar-high foods? They're just as 'dangerous', if not more than alcohol.
Satan makes sin acceptable. He makes liquor and smoking look okay.
"What happens if you get caught in the trap? Someone older and wiser has to take it off. How can you be released from your pain and suffering? You have your parents, Sunday School teachers, pastor, etc." Everyone was mentioned BUT GOD HIMSELF!
Satan's traps are disguised and you can't see them, but a wiser person can guide you.
Then the pastor sugarcoats all this with "If you think I'm preaching at you, I'm not. I'm preaching at me."

Sunday Night
I was surprised....I agreed with almost everything he said....almost.
He talked from 1 Tim 3:6, "the condemnation of the devil." but spoke mainly from Rom 8:1.
His statements about us no longer being condemned from God were absolutely on the spot.
However, he mentioned that we should be willing to restore others and we are sorry people if we go online and attack fellow brethren. Yeah, there's a disconnect there.
He mentioned how the devil is a roaring lion, but he is roaring because he is toothless. Never heard that one before.

exIFB · 05-16-2011, 03:07 AM

Quote: "If you think I'm preaching at you, I'm not. I'm preaching at me."

Good, because I wasn't listening.

ThankYouJesus · 05-16-2011, 11:43 AM

Hope you're able to get out of there soon.

To be honest, he's right about Satan subtly introducing sin into people's life. But applying that to CCM and election??? What in the world. . .

**pastor's wife** · 05-16-2011, 12:36 PM

(05-16-2011 11:43 AM)ThankYouJesus Wrote: To be honest, he's right about Satan subtly introducing sin into people's life. But applying that to CCM and election??? What in the world. . .

I agree. One of the sins Satan subtly slipped into my life was pride and judgmentalism. While I tried to be a good Christian by staying away from all the stuff the IFB said were evil, I found myself thinking I was better than other people, the whole "thank God I am not as other men" thing. I truly tried not to show it to people because I also knew enough to know that the Bible teaches humility and service, but I DID think I was holier than others. I thought Christians who worshipped with CCM or raised their hands were showing off and being shallow. Instead of having my standards for myself, I used them to make myself feel superior. We MUST be on guard against sin, but now I want to guard against the things the Bible actually says are sin.

Shoes · 05-18-2011, 07:54 AM

@GraceThruFaith: i love your weekly updates. PLEASE keep them coming.