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Re: Celebration Church
[Re: debbie]
#164247
04/12/14 04:08 PM
04/12/14 04:08 PM
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SDA Active Member 2020
5500+ Member
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,368
Western, USA
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There is nothing wrong with traditional worship services. There is nothing wrong with Church. It's not broken. It doesn't need repair. Bold statements. Do you have "proof"? The best way to overcome the infiltration of worldliness in the Church is for the Church to faithfully proclaim the 28 Fundamental Beliefs. What? Why not proclaim the truth as it is in Jesus? Let those who teach the truth present it as it is in Jesus.
Oh, that men might open their minds to know God as he is revealed in his Son! {ST, January 20, 1890}
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Re: Celebration Church
[Re: Mountain Man]
#164249
04/12/14 08:12 PM
04/12/14 08:12 PM
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Global Moderator Supporting Member 2022
5500+ Member
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,705
Canada
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The best way to overcome the infiltration of worldliness in the Church is for the Church to faithfully proclaim the 28 Fundamental Beliefs. ... There is nothing wrong with the truth. There is nothing wrong with traditional worship services. There is nothing wrong with Church. It's not broken. It doesn't need repair. Church members are broken. Church members need repair. People who are thriving in Jesus thrive in Church. They thrive during traditional worship services. They do not need rock music to fall on the Rock. They do not need to wear less clothing to feel relevant. All they need is Christ and Him crucified. Give me Jesus! People = the church. When church members are "broken" the church becomes broken. When church members are "thriving in Jesus", the Church thrives. People realize there is something missing in their church. All kinds of worldly "consumer values" are brought in, in an attempt to fix the situation, but it only makes the church more worldly and the members more broken. Yes, teach the fundamental beliefs as they are rooted in Christ. A church that has no platform to stand on will soon stand for nothing and be blown about by every wind of doctrine. Yes, encourage each member to spend "a thoughtful hour" each day reading scripture and thinking about Christ and His death, resurrection, life, priestly work and soon coming. That is where the power of the church lies -- when members connect daily with the source of Salvation -- "the only name under heaven whereby we must be saved".
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Re: Celebration Church
[Re: dedication]
#164250
04/12/14 08:48 PM
04/12/14 08:48 PM
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Global Moderator Supporting Member 2022
5500+ Member
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,705
Canada
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The Church Walking With The World A Poem Attributed to Matilda C Edwards, 1936 That shows the picture in a most striking way. The Church and the World walked far apart On the changing shores of time, The World was singing a giddy song, And the Church a hymn sublime.
“Come, give me your hand,” said the merry World, “And walk with me this way!” But the faithful Church hid her gentle hands And solemnly answered “Nay!
I will not give you my hand at all, And I will not walk with you; Your way is the way that leads to death; Your words are all untrue.”
“Nay, walk with me but a little space,” Said the World with a kindly air; “The road I walk is a pleasant road, And the sun shines always there.
Your path is thorny and rough and rude, But mine is broad and plain; My way is paved with flowers and dews, And yours with tears and pain.
My path, you see, is a broad, fair one And my gate is high and wide; There’s room enough for you and me To travel side by side.”
Half shyly the Church approached the World And gave him her hand of snow; And the old World quick grasped it and walked along, Saying, in accents low:
“Your dress is too simple to please my taste; I will give you pearls to wear, Rich velvets and silks for your graceful form, And diamonds to deck your hair.”
The Church looked down at her plain white robes, And then at the dazzling World, And blushed as she saw his handsome lip With a smile contemptuous curled.
“I will change my dress for a costlier one,” Said the Church, with a smile of grace; Then her pure white garments drifted away, And the World gave, in their place,
Beautiful satins and shining silks, Roses and gems and costly pearls; While over her forehead her bright hair fell Crisped in a thousand curls.
“Your house is too plain,” said the proud old World, “I’ll build you one like mine; With walls of marble and towers of gold, And furniture ever so fine.”
So he built her a costly and beautiful house; Most splendid it was to behold; Her sons and her beautiful daughters dwelt there Gleaming in purple and gold.
Rich fairs and shows in the halls were held, And the World and his children were there. Laughter and music and feasts were heard In the Place that was meant for Prayer.
There-were cushioned seats for the rich and the gay, To sit in their pomp and pride; While the poor folk, who were clad in shabby array, Sat meekly down outside.
The Angel of Mercy flew over the Church, And whispered, "I know thy sin": Then the Church looked back with a sigh and longed To gather her children in;
But some were off at the midnight ball, And some were off at the play, And some were drinking in rowdy saloons, So she quietly went her way.
Then the sly World gallantly said to her: "Your children mean no harm, Merely indulging in innocent sports"; So she leaned on his proffered arm
And smiled and chatted and gathered flowers As she walked along with the World; While millions and millions of deceived souls To eternal death were hurled.
"Your preachers are all too old and plain," Said the World to the Church with a sneer. "They frighten my children with dreadful tales, Which I like not for them to hear.
They talk of brimstone and fire and pain And the night of eternal death; They talk of a judgment which may only be Mentioned with bated breath.
I will send you some of the better stamp Brilliant and witty and fast Who will tell them that people now live under grace And will all go to heaven at last.
The Father is merciful, great, and good, Tender and true and kind; Do you think He would take one child to heaven, And leave the other behind?"
So he filled her house with jolly divines Gifted and great and learned And the plain old men that preached the cross Were out of her pulpits turned.
“You give too much to the poor,” said the World. “Far more than you ought to do; If the poor are in need of shelter and food, Why need it trouble you?
Go, take your money and buy rich robes, Buy horses and carriages fine; Buy pearls and jewels and dainty food, Buy the rarest and costliest wine.
My children, they dote on all these things, And if you their love would win You must do as they do, and walk in the ways That they are walking in.”
Then the Church held tightly the strings of her purse And gracefully lowered her head, And whispered, "I've given too much away; I'll do, sir, as you have said."
Then the sons of the World and the Sons of the Church Walked closely hand and heart, And only the Master, who knoweth all, Could tell the two apart.
Then the Church sat down at her ease, and said, “I am rich and my goods increase; I have need of nothing, or aught to do, But to laugh, and dance, and feast.”
And the sly World heard her, and laughed up his sleeve, And mockingly said, aside: “The Church is fallen, the beautiful Church; And her shame is her boast and her pride.”
The angel drew near to the mercy seat, And whispered in sighs her name; And the angels their anthems of rapture hushed, And covered their heads in shame.
Then a Voice came down through the hush of heaven From Him who sat on the throne: "I know thy works, and how thou hast said, 'I am rich,' and hast not known
That thou art naked, poor and blind, And wretched before my face;’ Repent or from my presence cast I thee out, And blot thy name from its place.”
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Re: Celebration Church
[Re: APL]
#164251
04/13/14 12:37 AM
04/13/14 12:37 AM
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SDA Charter Member Active Member 2019
20000+ Member
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 22,256
Southwest USA
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M: There is nothing wrong with traditional worship services. There is nothing wrong with Church. It's not broken. It doesn't need repair.
A: Bold statements. Do you have "proof"? Jesus has no plans to replace the Church. M: The best way to overcome the infiltration of worldliness in the Church is for the Church to faithfully proclaim the 28 Fundamental Beliefs.
A: What? Why not proclaim the truth as it is in Jesus? Let those who teach the truth present it as it is in Jesus. The 28FB do proclaim the truth as it is in Jesus.
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Re: Celebration Church
[Re: dedication]
#164252
04/13/14 12:43 AM
04/13/14 12:43 AM
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SDA Charter Member Active Member 2019
20000+ Member
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 22,256
Southwest USA
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When church members are "broken" the church becomes broken. When church members are "thriving in Jesus", the Church thrives. Amen! To clarify, though, the SDA Church is soundly built on the 28FB, the truth as it is in Jesus. Local churches and local church members may fall and falter, but the 28FB remain true. quote]People realize there is something missing in their church. All kinds of worldly "consumer values" are brought in, in an attempt to fix the situation, but it only makes the church more worldly and the members more broken. Yes, teach the fundamental beliefs as they are rooted in Christ. A church that has no platform to stand on will soon stand for nothing and be blown about by every wind of doctrine. Yes, encourage each member to spend "a thoughtful hour" each day reading scripture and thinking about Christ and His death, resurrection, life, priestly work and soon coming. That is where the power of the church lies -- when members connect daily with the source of Salvation -- "the only name under heaven whereby we must be saved". [/quote] Amen!
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Here is the link to this week's Sabbath School Lesson Study and Discussion Material: Click Here
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