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If you can allow me to share, please bear with me on my views. I do not know if I am qualified to talk about churches in general but I feel that after being in a traditional Church and school for nearly 8 years followed by 5 years of non-denominational church in both Singapore and Melbourne, Australia, I can make some comments.
Reasons why Churches are Dying: We Do Not Understand Who We Are and What We Have in Christ
We do not know who we are in Christ from God the Father's perspective and the lack of knowledge of the inheritance that the sacrifice on the cross has brought us who trust in Jesus.
I feel that being in some churches, the emphasis is on doing, without knowing why we are doing.
I categorise it as maintenance faith with reason.
What I appreciate in growing, vibrant churches is that they constantly upheld Jesus' work on the cross in a loving way. They hark on the good promises of God, who we are in God's eyes, the Grace of God and also the love of God. A lot of people commented that pastors should emphasize instead the judgement of God using the law as the basis of teaching so that people would behave within certain boundaries, sometimes to the fancy of the church elders and leadership.
However, Jesus come to give us an easy yoke to carry and with a light burden (Matt 11:30) but are our church leadership's teachings easy to carry? My observation is that the more we preach on law, the more the people have to oblige to do the will of the church (which is not necessary the will of God), and as more of the same people come to realise they cannot fulfill the demands of the church, they will fear for their salvation and do more (became a vicious cycle) and eventually quit church altogether.
Let me share with you a story. A brother I knew came to Singapore and attended my church. He, from a conservative church, saw a scantily clad (in his opinion) lady going to church and say that the woman did not respect the church. What I saw instead is the brother's lack of respect of the woman's love for God's word (for she is in church) and also the person of who the sister is (who Jesus has reside in her heart).
I agree sometimes outward appearance says something about our inner self but NOT everything about us. A critical heart, trained by law, focus on the negative whereas a humble/grace changed heart focus on the positive, which is the heart of Jesus.
If we are not to preach law, then we should preach its direct opposite: Grace!
Definition of Grace: the free and unmerited favor or beneficence of God
God's Grace in giving His Son and Jesus' Grace in giving us IMPUTED righteousness through His Sacrifice on the cross. And Righteousness according to the Bible brings about favour and blessings!
Psalms: 1:6; 5:12, 14:5; 34:17,19; 37:17,39; 92:12; 97:11;
Prov.10:3,6,7,11,16,20,21,24,25,28,30,31,32
and most important of all, imputed righteousness is not earned. But our churches are demanding their congregation to do earn righteousness by their own strength.
Think about it. If we are able to be righteous before God, then what is the need for Jesus? If Jesus came to give us righteousness, then we ought to know what righteousness should do to and for us: to give us favour and blessings!
But He also come so that He may give us peace. But just only peace as in our normal sense? No! Much much more!
John 14:27 " Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid."
The word 'Peace' here is the word 'Shalom'
Strong's Concordance 7965 - Hebrew Shalom ..... A word study in the New King James version for SHALOM says: Completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.
NOTE: REAL Hebrew meaning of Shalom peace as in John 14:27 is not confined just to peace but also Prosperity, Wholeness, Health and REST(and much much much more)!
So did the Churches that are dying today received the true meaning of Shalom that Grace of Jesus has gave us? Obviously no.
I feel so sorry for fellow brothers and sisters in Christ that are in Churches who did not inherit Jesus' promises to us just because they hear so much about the so called "PROSPERITY GOSPEL".
The Gospel that I now preach is the true gospel of Grace that not only give us righteousness but also give us shalom peace that is not of this world. And since shalom is given to us, then prosperity is God willed! Full stop! No more arguments. The improper accusation of prosperity gospel to deny God's Children their true inheritance not only go against God's promises for us but also rob the true Church the power of Shalom peace in other areas such as health, tranquility and REST! Isn't that the reason why Jesus tells us in John 14:27 that our hearts would not be troubled or afraid?
If we have shalom peace and righteousness of God in our churches:
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, now is the time to proclaim God's goodness, His Love instead of sin and His Blessings instead of His Judgement.
For we who are in Christ are Greatly Blessed, Highly Favoured and Deeply Loved!
Be Blessed and Proclaim that You have received Shalom Peace!
Wilson Wong
ps.
"Unless the Lord builds the house,. they labor in vain who build it. Unless the
Lord guards the city,. the watchman stays awake in vain." Psalm 127:1.
Before we accused big churches are huge because they preach prosperity gospel, please answer the follow questions:
a) Psalm 127:1. If something good prospers, it is of God. Financial blessing by itself is good, therefore it is from God. It is how we treat mammon (money) that speaks of evil or good (use the money to sponsor terrorism). So if the church that proclaims Jesus is King grows big, is it from God?
b) Are the people who attend the church money minded or are they balanced, have joy and peace? Do they openly share their joy?
c) Is your accusation of the church comes out from the feeling of jealousy or pride? (Read Gen 20)
d) Does a successful church support the devil or restraint his influence?
I think the answer is clear. Don't judge if you do not like to be judged lest the things you accused are of and from God Himself.
Reasons why Churches are Dying: We Do Not Understand Who We Are and What We Have in Christ
We do not know who we are in Christ from God the Father's perspective and the lack of knowledge of the inheritance that the sacrifice on the cross has brought us who trust in Jesus.
I feel that being in some churches, the emphasis is on doing, without knowing why we are doing.
I categorise it as maintenance faith with reason.
What I appreciate in growing, vibrant churches is that they constantly upheld Jesus' work on the cross in a loving way. They hark on the good promises of God, who we are in God's eyes, the Grace of God and also the love of God. A lot of people commented that pastors should emphasize instead the judgement of God using the law as the basis of teaching so that people would behave within certain boundaries, sometimes to the fancy of the church elders and leadership.
However, Jesus come to give us an easy yoke to carry and with a light burden (Matt 11:30) but are our church leadership's teachings easy to carry? My observation is that the more we preach on law, the more the people have to oblige to do the will of the church (which is not necessary the will of God), and as more of the same people come to realise they cannot fulfill the demands of the church, they will fear for their salvation and do more (became a vicious cycle) and eventually quit church altogether.
Let me share with you a story. A brother I knew came to Singapore and attended my church. He, from a conservative church, saw a scantily clad (in his opinion) lady going to church and say that the woman did not respect the church. What I saw instead is the brother's lack of respect of the woman's love for God's word (for she is in church) and also the person of who the sister is (who Jesus has reside in her heart).
I agree sometimes outward appearance says something about our inner self but NOT everything about us. A critical heart, trained by law, focus on the negative whereas a humble/grace changed heart focus on the positive, which is the heart of Jesus.
If we are not to preach law, then we should preach its direct opposite: Grace!
Definition of Grace: the free and unmerited favor or beneficence of God
God's Grace in giving His Son and Jesus' Grace in giving us IMPUTED righteousness through His Sacrifice on the cross. And Righteousness according to the Bible brings about favour and blessings!
Psalms: 1:6; 5:12, 14:5; 34:17,19; 37:17,39; 92:12; 97:11;
Prov.10:3,6,7,11,16,20,21,24,25,28,30,31,32
and most important of all, imputed righteousness is not earned. But our churches are demanding their congregation to do earn righteousness by their own strength.
Think about it. If we are able to be righteous before God, then what is the need for Jesus? If Jesus came to give us righteousness, then we ought to know what righteousness should do to and for us: to give us favour and blessings!
But He also come so that He may give us peace. But just only peace as in our normal sense? No! Much much more!
John 14:27 " Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid."
The word 'Peace' here is the word 'Shalom'
Strong's Concordance 7965 - Hebrew Shalom ..... A word study in the New King James version for SHALOM says: Completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.
NOTE: REAL Hebrew meaning of Shalom peace as in John 14:27 is not confined just to peace but also Prosperity, Wholeness, Health and REST(and much much much more)!
So did the Churches that are dying today received the true meaning of Shalom that Grace of Jesus has gave us? Obviously no.
I feel so sorry for fellow brothers and sisters in Christ that are in Churches who did not inherit Jesus' promises to us just because they hear so much about the so called "PROSPERITY GOSPEL".
The Gospel that I now preach is the true gospel of Grace that not only give us righteousness but also give us shalom peace that is not of this world. And since shalom is given to us, then prosperity is God willed! Full stop! No more arguments. The improper accusation of prosperity gospel to deny God's Children their true inheritance not only go against God's promises for us but also rob the true Church the power of Shalom peace in other areas such as health, tranquility and REST! Isn't that the reason why Jesus tells us in John 14:27 that our hearts would not be troubled or afraid?
If we have shalom peace and righteousness of God in our churches:
- We would have enough testimonies to share about Jesus and thus have powerful outreach to people who need to know Jesus
- We would have powerful worship services that sings with the true feeling of gladness and thanksgiving in our hearts.
- We will meet the true need of the saved and unsaved people, spiritually (peace), physically (health) and financially (prosperity). Of course most importantly, already being right with God!
- We will serve the church joyfully because we understand that God first served and love us without regret and without repayment (His Agape Love)
- We can become better people because we are protected and trained by God without worrying about us being right with God.
- We can sponsor more charities, can build physical churches, help the needy because we are blessed financially.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, now is the time to proclaim God's goodness, His Love instead of sin and His Blessings instead of His Judgement.
For we who are in Christ are Greatly Blessed, Highly Favoured and Deeply Loved!
Be Blessed and Proclaim that You have received Shalom Peace!
Wilson Wong
ps.
"Unless the Lord builds the house,. they labor in vain who build it. Unless the
Lord guards the city,. the watchman stays awake in vain." Psalm 127:1.
Before we accused big churches are huge because they preach prosperity gospel, please answer the follow questions:
a) Psalm 127:1. If something good prospers, it is of God. Financial blessing by itself is good, therefore it is from God. It is how we treat mammon (money) that speaks of evil or good (use the money to sponsor terrorism). So if the church that proclaims Jesus is King grows big, is it from God?
b) Are the people who attend the church money minded or are they balanced, have joy and peace? Do they openly share their joy?
c) Is your accusation of the church comes out from the feeling of jealousy or pride? (Read Gen 20)
d) Does a successful church support the devil or restraint his influence?
I think the answer is clear. Don't judge if you do not like to be judged lest the things you accused are of and from God Himself.
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