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“ATTEND THE CHURCH OF YOUR CHOICE” – RULES FOR SELF WORSHIP. “Upon this rock I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18). An Indictment of Religion -. Not of an individual’s faith. Many honorable people are “believers” in Jesus and love Him truly. May be mistaken on details.
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“ATTEND THE CHURCH OF YOUR CHOICE” – RULES FOR SELF WORSHIP “Upon this rock I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18).
An Indictment of Religion - • Not of an individual’s faith. • Many honorable people are “believers” in Jesus and love Him truly. • May be mistaken on details. • But many desire to change God’s way, and this blatantly. • If I were starting my own church in today’s atmosphere, what guidelines would I follow?
What Would We Worship? • Let’s kind of leave this open. We may want to change it as we go along. • Romans 1:22-23 • Ezek. 8:16-17 • Don’t need the “crutch” of the virgin birth or miracles if we don’t serve a true Divine Being.
Make It Suit Individual Preferences • Gal. 1:10, 14 • “Worship” isn’t a modern need. We don’t need to be awestruck by a god. • We need child care facilities, day camps, an orchestra to aid us in singing (to thrill our ears, but not our hearts), singles ministry, old folks ministry, etc.
No Change In ME Required • This thing about repentance and conforming to the image of Jesus is just too much. • I’m already better than many folks around me. • Again, “men pleasers”, Gal. 1:10
Above All, Keep It Adaptable • Rigidity is the downfall of Christ’s church. • Tell us, “Don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s all small stuff.” • (Why didn’t the space shuttle launch the other day with a frozen fuel line?) • Matt. 24:35; Gal. 3:15
Make It Appealing to MY Friends • Each community can have it’s own social and economic group. • Forget this “Whosoever wills, may come.” • Eph. 2:15f.
Take All The Burden From the Individual… • And place it on “the church”. • What do you mean, “The church is made up of individuals”? Eph. 4:16 • What are preachers for? Elders? Deacons? • Can you pay people to be Christians for you?
Two Evils • Jeremiah 2:11-13 • The first century church did it God’s way. • And never did any one group change the world the way they did. • That simple plan will work today. • Let’s try it.