Not That Church

I was looking for a church to attend and join, but I ran into some problems.

“I shouldn’t miss church. Calling my Sunday time fishing on the lake is certainly not “church” as so many justify.  I need to find the church God wants me to attend so I can hear God’s Word and be encouraged by the fellowship of Christians.

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:  25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Heb. 10:24-25

“I shouldn’t go to that church because they teach that salvation is earned by doing good deeds.  The Bible teaches that one’s being saved from the consequences of sin is given by God.  It is by believing and trusting that Jesus’ death on the cross is the only payment for sin. 

“Wait, I can’t go to that church, that one, or even that one over there because they all teach the same thing.  Man, there’s a whole lot of churches and denominations that teach one can get to Heaven by being and doing good.  That teaching certainly is not in the Bible!  I will stay clear of them.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2:8-9

“Who [Jesus] hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” II Tim. 1:9

“I shouldn’t go to that church because the preacher and teachers don’t warn anyone about sin.  They say they don’t want to offend anyone, but us sinners need to be rebuked so we will turn from our iniquity and live a godly life.  I have even seen leaders at that ministry participate in sin they should be staying far away from.

“Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” Eze. 3:21

“I shouldn’t go to that church because they don’t teach from the Bible.  Why the preacher doesn’t even know which Bible is the preserved Word of God.  He and members of the church use different modern versions.  It is so confusing because each “bible” says something different.  They don’t use the King James Version because they said it is too hard to understand. I thought it was the Holy Spirit that gave understanding, not man’s intellect.  Maybe the Holy Spirit is not even in their services.

“But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Mat. 15:9  Also: Mark 7:7.

“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Psalm 119:18

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” Isa. 40:8

“I shouldn’t go to that church because they are worldly and not even separated from ungodliness.  They play and listen to music that sounds too much to what the unsaved listen.  I can’t tell if the singers are singing about their girlfriend or Jesus. Everyone there dresses, talks, thinks, and acts like the world.  I see little difference between them and the ungodly.

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” II Cor. 6:17

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” II Cor. 7:1

“I shouldn’t go to that church because they are more interested in entertaining than giving the Gospel and getting their people to get right with God! It is not dance routines, music, movies, or light shows that save and stirs a soul.  It is preaching.

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” I Cor. 1:18

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” II Tim 4:2-4

“I shouldn’t go to that church because they preach that one should pray to Mary and other saints, and that’s not what the Bible teaches.  They also confess their sins to a man and do as he says in hopes their sins be forgiven.  Only God can forgive sins, certainly not a sinful (Rom. 3:23) man.

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” I Tim. 2:5

“If we confess our sins, he [Jesus] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9

“I shouldn’t go to that church because they handle poisonous snakes and rely on acts and “miracles” to show their faith in God.

“Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” Mat. 4:7  Also: Deut. 6:16, Luke 4:14.

I shouldn’t go to that church because they also are not living by faith.  They are relying on supernatural  “miracles” like “tongues,” healings, and new “prophesies” to prove they are hearing from God.  The Bible teaches that when the Word of God was given, there would be no more need for those miracles.  It was given at 150 A. D. We are to live by faith, not sight!

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Heb. 11:6

“But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” I Cor. 13:10  The “which is perfect is come” is referring to the completed Word of God.

“Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” I Cor.  13:8

“And I certainly won’t attend that church because they say Jesus was just a good man.  I won’t even darken the doors of that ‘church’ either.  They deny many doctrines the Bible teaches like teachings about, Hell, not being saved by Old Testament laws, that Satan and Jesus were brothers, and more unbiblical teachings.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

“Wait, all those churches and not one of them is doing right in God’s eyes? But, just a minute.  There is one church over there.  It is small, and not a huge one like a lot of the churches. They have two buses, so they must have a concern about souls and want to bring people to church so they can learn what the Bible says.  There are at least four meetings during the week, so they must realize how important it is to learn more about God’s Word.  They even have classes to teach all levels.  Wow, they use only the King James Bible, and  at least one day a week they have church-wide visitation, so they certainly have a burden for people being saved, not just numbers in attendance.  That sounds like a church that is closer to what the Bible teaches.  I think I will go there.”