tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post1385540544366024398..comments2024-03-10T10:40:32.319-07:00Comments on Pyromaniacs: Avoiding Spiritual Dry RotPhil Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649092052031518426noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-43597099301121313122008-07-16T10:07:00.000-07:002008-07-16T10:07:00.000-07:00So many comments and I didn't find one regarding t...So many comments and I didn't find one regarding the excellent illustration near the end. I was just telling my wife the other day how I'd give anything to see a wolf playing leap frog with sheep! She said "Don't give oup... it could happen!"Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04285889058843293138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-47647560814259932882008-07-14T08:04:00.000-07:002008-07-14T08:04:00.000-07:00John:As has already been said, "Keep looking". My ...John:<BR/><BR/>As has already been said, "Keep looking". <BR/><BR/>My wife and I live in a town of 35,000. It was getting really bad until some friends (parents of one of our former pastors who moved away) told us about the one we are going to now. It has been here 55 years. I had grown up here and never heard of it. I wish I had.<BR/><BR/>It's not polished. It's not perfect. It's also not purpose driven or seeker sensitive, nor is it legalistic. <BR/><BR/>The pastor is not as articulate as I would prefer but what he says is sound. The organist has the start of alzheimers, which makes things, well, interesting but the congregation makes room for her to do what she loves to do. <BR/><BR/>They have an average attendance of maybe 70 or so and that is counting both services.<BR/><BR/>The pastor has indicated an interest in me starting some evangelism classes (way of the master), which is very encouraging. And the congregation seems to be interested in evangelism -- we just "don't do enough of it" as the pastor keeps saying.<BR/><BR/>Not so many months ago, I would have told you that there was nothing here. Again, while this certainly isn't Grace Community Church (and I've been there) it's a place where people seek to honor the Lord. <BR/><BR/>Don't give oup!Tim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06771868540726222826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-74235576404937426172008-07-14T05:53:00.000-07:002008-07-14T05:53:00.000-07:00Phil,There's always the Harold Camping option . . ...Phil,<BR/><BR/>There's always the Harold Camping option . . . all churches are apostate, so we should just leave them, stay home and listen to Family Radio. <BR/><BR/>I hope you know I'm kidding. ;)Solameaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09869424956571944997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-47478392610092685002008-07-14T05:39:00.000-07:002008-07-14T05:39:00.000-07:00Can you say "Chuck Missler?"A timeless post.Can you say "Chuck Missler?"<BR/><BR/>A timeless post.Udarnikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13014389397899721732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-38886159027728140002008-07-13T16:33:00.000-07:002008-07-13T16:33:00.000-07:00Does Spurgeon ever say anything positive about phi...Does Spurgeon ever say anything positive about philosophers?! <BR/><BR/>(This postgrad philosophy student now finds himself living in Southwark, London, near the Metropolitan Tabernacle).Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13789950523908306139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-44074967396491406872008-07-13T14:10:00.000-07:002008-07-13T14:10:00.000-07:00To John (and you're sorry apology) - Sir, may I su...To John (and you're sorry apology) - <BR/><BR/>Sir, may I suggest that maybe in the future you refrain posting your thoughts on these sites after 3am. Apparently you were not completely clear in your delivery...<BR/><BR/>Just kidding, dude. That's really funny! And I'm sure we're all glad to hear it. I can get back to praying for the *real* unchurched now. ;~)<BR/><BR/>Peace & Blessings!<BR/>Simple MannSimple Mannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886451002102565362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-41010041661339345492008-07-13T12:21:00.000-07:002008-07-13T12:21:00.000-07:00I'm sorry brothers and sisters, I should have give...I'm sorry brothers and sisters, I should have given more information when I asked my question. Currently I have a good church with a good preaching pastor.<BR/><BR/>In the past my family and I have lived somewhere for one to two years where we never could find a God honoring church. So that has always been a question on my mind. My wife and I have discussed it and both decided that next time we move it will be based on a church, not on a job.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for all the great words and I'm sorry I wasn't clear. (I'm a little embarrassed, but that's normally what I feel when I've opened my mouth.)Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01101242277244136485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-34864932391049189452008-07-13T10:58:00.000-07:002008-07-13T10:58:00.000-07:00I think Phil made a great point, and it was one me...I think Phil made a great point, and it was one mentioned in the book by Josh Harris that I mentioned. People make decisions to move pretty often--for their jobs, for a better neighborhood, a better school district, etc. However, moving your family to be closer to a good church is probably one of the best reasons for moving, and most people never even consider it. Two couples in the church we're attending now actually just did that. They were driving between a half hour to an hour two to three times a week, and made the decision to move closer because that is really where their heart is at.<BR/><BR/>I drive an hour each way to work FIVE days a week. If we hadn't found such a great church close to home, I could totally justify spending an hour driving to a good church to be in fellowship, and agree that this is an essential part of the life of faith. You cannot be cut off for long from the body before you begin to suffer the consequences.<BR/><BR/>Peace & Blessings!<BR/>Simple MannSimple Mannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886451002102565362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-19944894927595794992008-07-13T07:47:00.000-07:002008-07-13T07:47:00.000-07:00You need to be in fellowship with other believers....<I>You need to be in fellowship with <B>other believers</B>.</I><BR/><BR/>What Phil said.David A. Carlsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00465387359523299616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-69966337220808572642008-07-13T07:45:00.000-07:002008-07-13T07:45:00.000-07:00John: We drive an hour to a good church. Yep. It i...John: We drive an hour to a good church. Yep. It is hard sometimes, but it is totally worth it.<BR/><BR/>This is a great post and one I am sending to a friend who goes to a Calvary Chapel, a bastion of end times teaching and speculations about Antichrist. I sometimes think this church teaches through a book of the Bible, and then through Revelation, another book of the Bible and then Revelation again. :)candyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06088593538648596769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-32997057870831818742008-07-13T07:30:00.000-07:002008-07-13T07:30:00.000-07:00John: "If that's all you can find close to home, i...<B>John:</B> <I>"If that's all you can find close to home, is it better to go on Sunday, or to stay home and read Spurgeon? Or listen to Phil Johnson sermons on the web? Or, should one drive an hour to get to a good church?"</I><BR/><BR/>You need to be in fellowship with other believers. So if those are your only options, drive an hour to get to a good church. <BR/><BR/>You could also find a handful of believers nearby, recruit and evangelize others, and start a church. Or (if you feel you are not called to church planting), here's another option—something I myself have done twice: move close a church you know is sound and solid. It's much better to uproot family and change careers than it is to be starved for fellowship and good teaching.Phil Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00649092052031518426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-8721783717549066462008-07-13T06:54:00.000-07:002008-07-13T06:54:00.000-07:00Reply to John - keep searching, brother. I read a...Reply to John - keep searching, brother. I read a book by Josh Harris entitled, "Stop Dating the Church" after we left that charismatic church that was so man-centered and I felt just like you did. But part of the reason that Christ died for us was to establish the true Church, the body of believers, the bride of Christ. I absolutely think we should be bound together with the body somewhere, and I realize that there is not a perfect church out there. That's because they're full of people--sinners even!<BR/><BR/>But I would encourage you to keep looking. We found a small church in our area, less than five miles away, that teaches sound doctrine, is God and gospel-centered, and that is just right for us.<BR/><BR/>One of the things that I came away with after reading Josh's book is that it is important to be in the body. Not to be fingernail or a strand of hair--something that was once a part of the living body, but is now as a dead cell, cast away. But to be a toe, a finger, an eye, a nostril even.<BR/><BR/>By the way - I see your reading Lloyd-Jones "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount". That's a great book! I haven't finished it, but is a great exhortation to serve.<BR/><BR/>John, I pray that you will find that church you are looking for. I have full faith in Christ that He will guide you to your church. In the meantime, build yourself up in the Word and with books from good teachers. You will be all the more thankful when you find that church.<BR/><BR/>God bless, brother!<BR/>Simple MannAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-805583404710917072008-07-13T06:50:00.000-07:002008-07-13T06:50:00.000-07:00John:While having moved only 3 times, we did have ...John:<BR/><BR/>While having moved only 3 times, we did have the experience of spending a full year trying over 15 different churches, including ones I never thought I would try.<BR/><BR/>My observation is that the church is more than just the pastor and his preaching. Yes, that is important. But church is also about all the people within in it.<BR/><BR/>Our second church home (after we moved 3 hours away) was, in all honesty, led by a terrible preacher. Boring. Not so much for solid exegesis. Once did 37 weeks on Ezekiel that were the most mind numbingly dull and, well, really bad. But he, and his flock understood telling others about Jesus and loving each other. We added families during that series (and not one was because of the preaching) He was an outstanding Pastor. The best I have ever known. It was because of how he and the church lived - <BR/><BR/>So that's my nickel. Spend it as you will. My prayers for you and your family during this time.<BR/><BR/>DavidDavid A. Carlsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00465387359523299616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-39873198520547034372008-07-13T05:20:00.000-07:002008-07-13T05:20:00.000-07:00That was as helpful as anything I've read for a wh...That was as helpful as anything I've read for a while. We've been called to preach the gospel, and all else is secondary at best, distracting and dangerous at worst.<BR/><BR/>Thank you for the sobering selection.Chris Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14612238067365288834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-71266916291260225822008-07-13T03:19:00.000-07:002008-07-13T03:19:00.000-07:00From having the awful experience of searching for ...From having the awful experience of searching for a new church after moving (which we have done too often), I've learned that there are more of these preachers than not. Men who are only concerned with prophesy, or who expound their latest best seller (I heard a sermon on the Prayer of Jabez), or who tell stupid jokes and use a lot of cliches, but never really say anything.<BR/><BR/>I've got a question for you. If that's all you can find close to home, is it better to go on Sunday, or to stay home and read Spurgeon? Or listen to Phil Johnson sermons on the web? Or, should one drive an hour to get to a good church?Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01101242277244136485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-47517799109799062352008-07-12T21:56:00.000-07:002008-07-12T21:56:00.000-07:00In the same way, some men still remain in the mini...<B>In the same way, some men still remain in the ministry, and yet the soul of their ministry has gone. They have a name to live, yet they are dead: what can be worse than this condition? One might almost sooner have an explosion, and have done with it, than see men continuing to maintain the form of religion after vital godliness has gone, scattering death all around them, and yet maintaining what is called a respectable position. God save us from this last as much as from that first! If I am a rotten bough, let me be cut off; but to hang upon the tree, all verdant with parasitical lichen and moss, is deplorable. A respectable ministry, devoid of spiritual life, is little better than respectable damnation, from which may God deliver us!<BR/><BR/>When men drift into this condition, they generally adopt some expedient to hide it. Conscience suggests that there is something or other wrong, and the deceitful heart labours to conceal or palliate this fact. Some do this by amusing themselves with hobbies instead of preaching the gospel. They cannot do the Lord's work, so they try to do their own. They have not honesty enough to confess that they have lost gospel power, so they ride a hobby; and it is a very mild form of evil when they raise some side issue, which has no other fault about it than that it diverts them from the main point. Many are these playthings; I have no time to mention more than one.<BR/><BR/>I have known certain brethren give themselves solely to expound prophecy. Now, a man full of the life of God may expound prophecy as much as he likes; but there are some who, having lost their love of the gospel, try to win back what little popularity they once had by taking up with guesses at the future. They may be quite, sure that, if they cannot profit men by bringing them to the manger and the cross, they will make a complete failure of it if they handle the seals and the vials.</B><BR/><BR/>That is good stuff. I have seen this first hand during the four months my wife and I spent attending a Charismatic church. We left after things started to really get weird--prophecy (just as Spurgeon warned here) had taken a more important position than the gospel, and it was becoming more and more about the spiritual gifts in the body than the Giver of all good things. As things took a turn for the weird, one of the things that occurred to me was that in the entire time we had been going to that church, NO ONE "got saved", was converted, etc. A few of the more troubled souls in the congregation had completely fallen off and returned like a dog to the vomit of their former sin. One fellow confided in me (I have no idea why) and what he told me was almost beyond imaginable. I was horrified. Yet for the most part, everyone was over-excited (like almost intoxicated) with whatever "revelation" they were experiencing. I am thankful that God put me there when He did. For, even though my experience of "revelation" during that period of time amongst that charismatic congregation was dramatically different from most of the rest of the folks in that church, God was definitely revealing some things that were good for me to see. What He revealed to me was how much and how quickly error could seep into a church when it abandoned its first cause and its only glory: the gospel of Jesus Christ. I thank God that He has took us through that just and just as much that He brought us out of it. My soul is overjoyed to be attending a truly gospel-centered church where sound doctrine is taught, esteemed, and cherished. Thank God for the gospel and for those who boldly proclaim it.<BR/><BR/>Peace & Blessings!<BR/>Simple MannAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-36944448479357339292008-07-12T19:02:00.000-07:002008-07-12T19:02:00.000-07:00Wow. What a terrific read. Spurgeon again has writ...Wow. What a terrific read. Spurgeon again has written in such a timeless way that what flowed from his pen seems like it could be applied to today's generation.<BR/><BR/>I spend about 45 minutes today in a car ride talking to a friend of mine who is quickly sliding down the slippery slope of the emergent camp, and when I read this text from Spurgeon, it rang timeless and true.<BR/><BR/>May we raise up a generation of preachers who preach the truth of God's word!<BR/><BR/><B>1Timothy 4:16</B> Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. "Rob Willmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00460864362819208034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-26496922407447599002008-07-12T18:56:00.000-07:002008-07-12T18:56:00.000-07:00Did you ever notice, in Calvin's Commentaries, tha...<B>Did you ever notice, in Calvin's Commentaries, that there is no exposition of the Book of Revelation? Why not? He said, "I have not expounded that Book because I do not understand it." </B><BR/><BR/>There is so much in that statement that end time pedantics can learn from.David A. Carlsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00465387359523299616noreply@blogger.com