Who watches those TV Sermons?

[metalman]

If it wasn't for the late night tv sermons, I probably wouldn't have been inspired to get back into church. I watched those sermons while my x-gf was out with her friends. I got tired of doing the same ol' club thing. It sparked my interest back into church, and when I really was lost in my life, I watched them for inspiration, guidance, etc.

If you think tv sermons don't work, you need to think again. Because it hasn't been useful to you doesn't mean it's not useful at all.

The way you're coming off, you seem to be opposed to church fund raising. You're probably not, but that's how I'm reading ya.

Again, I never said God never uses TV ministers. Nor was my commentary directed at the quality of their sermons. Thats another subject.
On the contrary. God spoke to Balaam through a donkey. (Numbers chap. 22) He uses whatever means NESSSESSARY to save a soul, up to and including using the devil himself. That doesnt mean the devil is Gods appointed agent or preferred messenger. The huge mistake people make is ASSUMING anything ever used by God is "okay" and the right "method" that He prefers.
During the middle ages when Christians were burned at the stake at times the act of doing so and their countenance led others who were just non believer spectators to give their hearts to God. By burning those people alive the Gospel was "spread" to others who witnessed Gods power in those peoples lives. Now I think its pretty safe to say burning people alive IS NOT Gods prefered method of Gospel minisitry.

I am not opposed to churches having money or people donating money. Tithing and offerings are a Biblical principle. The point I have repeatedly made and that seems to have been missed is that God DOESNT appoint Gospel Ministers that task. Neither does he appoint them to be in charge of the treasury. The stewardship of business and $$$ is to be dealt with by others. The Gospel minister is to care NOT about $$$, ONLY the saving of souls.
Neither is he to engage in the gathering of wealth...which MOST TV ministers (actually ministers in general) do. Most minstries are profitable corporations for the "owner" or head minister which means theyre not organized to Biblical principles. The Bible seems quite clear on this subject.

[Kelly]

You haven't offended me. I just think you probably come across cocky sometimes. Maybe it's just me who thinks that...

[metalman]

You haven't offended me. I just think you probably come across cocky sometimes. Maybe it's just me who thinks that...

I am sure there are others. I am sorry for that.
If I had no confidence in what I speak I'd shut up OR just ask questions and consider the answers given.
So you would be correct to say that I do speak confidently.

Some comments have been made here about people who only post in this forum. For me, I dont post in forums where the subject matter is unknown to me. I do post in forums where I have some knowlege of the subject. I also bring the "evidence" I see with me. I enjoy the same FROM others. That is productive. It will however always "offend" some, thats just the nature of truth whenever exposed by anyone.

[Kelly]

So,if you don't mind me asking, do you go to church? What religion/denomination would you say you are?

[metalman]

I am not a member of any denomination, although not opposed to earthly memberships so far as they dont supercede the truth.

I would say that I identify as a Biblical Christian, not as a denominational one.
What church you attend is far less important then that you follow ALL the light God gives you. You either walk with Him on His path or not. There is a call out of religious confusion in the Bible. Individuals either respond to that or they don't. Its not a group thing.

May I ask why you wish for me to label myself?

[Romeyo07]

+1 metal...I'm the same way. I'm not one to say I'm "X" religion, I don't think it benefits me to do so. I don't believe in those set standards of each religion, but feel the bible is my guide to who I should be and how I should be. I just so happen to go to a baptist church though.

[Kelly]

To Metalman:
I dunno, I was just curious. I agree that you don't have to be a certain "denomination" but in not going to church, don't you feel like you might be depriving your spirit of worship and fellowship with other believers? You seem to know a lot though, so I was just wondering...

[metalman]

To Metalman:
I dunno, I was just curious. I agree that you don't have to be a certain "denomination" but in not going to church, don't you feel like you might be depriving your spirit of worship and fellowship with other believers? You seem to know a lot though, so I was just wondering...

I do associate with other believers. I enjoy their fellowship and correction as well. Youre correct, that can be good for one. Sometimes I get more out of association with non believers. They often ask harder questions and push you to learn more, study harder, and have better answers that hopefully are closer to real truth. I believe many a professed Christian will "drop out" and a non believer take their place before the earths history ends. The Bible calls this seperating the wheat from the chaff and that takes shaking.

Who said I don't worship? Do you have to enter a church building to do that?

[Kelly]

No, but strongly believe that attending a church is a important part in spiritual growth. Maybe that's my own personal conviction though.

Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

[metalman]

Yes I concur, one should not forsake or avoid meeting with other believers. I never meant to imply one should either. Keep in mind though....For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matt 18:20

[Kelly]

I was gonna add that to add to my point actually. And if you don't go to a church does that mean you don't tithe? I know that's personal and you don't have to answer but isn't that pretty important as well?

[metalman]

Yes, returning tithe to SUPPORT THE GOSPEL work is a Biblical principle. Wherever one sees the Gospel of Jesus Christ being given one can do so. One need not attend a specific church or be a member to do that.

[Kelly]

So I guess you're saying you have church or something of that sort at home. If so, that's awesome and I commend you for that. For me, I have an awesome church and great friends who are always there for me. Different things for different ppl- one isn't any better than the other.

[metalman]

+1 metal...I'm the same way. I'm not one to say I'm "X" religion, I don't think it benefits me to do so. I don't believe in those set standards of each religion, but feel the bible is my guide to who I should be and how I should be. I just so happen to go to a baptist church though.

You may notice I never ask anyone what church they go to, not condemning those that ask, but to me I would prefer to judge what they share with me, and share accordingly with them with no preconcieved notions when possible.

And +100 to "the bible is my guide to who I should be and how I should be"

Thats how we are to judge what others share...not by church affiliation.

[Kelly]

I definetly wasn't judging (and I know you may not have meant that I was)... I was just wondering where you stood as far as a denomination. I have friends from all kinds of religions. Actually someone who is really close to me is agnostic. I think living my life as Christ-like as possible is the best way to witness to her and that's pretty much what I do.

[metalman]

So I guess you're saying you have church or something of that sort at home. If so, that's awesome and I commend you for that. For me, I have an awesome church and great friends who are always there for me. Different things for different ppl- one isn't any better than the other.

As I said...I have fellowship with other believers. It can be at a church or at a home or in nature. Or sometimes it can be alone. There is no rule.

Some people don't get the fact that I am not trying to get them to "attend my church". My goal is to get people to THINK and REASON from Scripture before accepting any teaching and to search that Book for themselves to find truth. If they do that the church question, where to go, when to go, with whom to go, where to pay tithe etc will take care of itself.

[Romeyo07]

tithing is not just monitarily