THE HYPOCRITICAL CHURCH by steve finnell
Why is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ not growing? Could the hypocrisy of the church be a factor worth considering? Christians preach repentance to the the world, however, Christians who continue in their sinful lifestyle have excuses made for them or, at best, are simply ignored.
Why would the world want to become Christians if there is no discernible difference between Christians and those outside of Christ?
The lack of church discipline = a hypocritical church.
The apostle Paul removed a man from the church fellowship who was having a sexual affair with his stepmother. (1 Corinthians 5:1-5 I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.)NASB
Most church congregations today would rather see sexually immoral Christians burn in hell rather than to practice church discipline.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people...11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--- not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the the church? 13 But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THAT WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES.(NASB)
The contemporary church says church discipline is to difficult. Just love the sinning church members and accepting them in their sins, after all no one is perfect.
1 Corinthians 6:8-11 On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren. 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals , 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.(NASB)
In order to not take responsibility for church members going to hell the modern church has change verse 11 from such were some of you to such are some of you. No church discipline is needed if Christians are not required to repent.
James 5:19-20 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.(NASB)
Do Christians really believe saving a soul from death is reason enough to practice church discipline?
This message of James was addressed to Christians, not those outside of Christ.
If the world looks at the church of Christ and it is filled with lost sinners, what reason would they have for becoming Christians?
A hypocritical church will not be the magnet that draws men to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
(SEE: Revelation Chapters 1-3 for more hypocritical churches)
The lack of church discipline = a hypocritical church.
The apostle Paul removed a man from the church fellowship who was having a sexual affair with his stepmother. (1 Corinthians 5:1-5 I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.)NASB
Most church congregations today would rather see sexually immoral Christians burn in hell rather than to practice church discipline.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people...11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--- not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the the church? 13 But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THAT WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES.(NASB)
The contemporary church says church discipline is to difficult. Just love the sinning church members and accepting them in their sins, after all no one is perfect.
1 Corinthians 6:8-11 On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren. 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals , 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.(NASB)
In order to not take responsibility for church members going to hell the modern church has change verse 11 from such were some of you to such are some of you. No church discipline is needed if Christians are not required to repent.
James 5:19-20 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.(NASB)
Do Christians really believe saving a soul from death is reason enough to practice church discipline?
This message of James was addressed to Christians, not those outside of Christ.
If the world looks at the church of Christ and it is filled with lost sinners, what reason would they have for becoming Christians?
A hypocritical church will not be the magnet that draws men to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
(SEE: Revelation Chapters 1-3 for more hypocritical churches)
Should be read by every church leader
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