My brothers, your voice has been heard. Your passion has been displayed, and for that I am sincerely grateful and so our Master. Due to your perseverance, the church has been made aware that we do have things to work on. We are not perfect. We are in desperate need of change in some areas. Areas such as being more passionate, missional, and being able to communicate more effectively in our culture and communities. Your sheer passion to be followers of Jesus has given me much joy.
But, I (and our Lord) have this against you. In you're diligent attempt to be followers of the person of Jesus, my brothers you have forgotten and forsaken His message. His message was the same as His cousin, John - repentence. Primarily, He came to seek and to save, secondly to be an example of a God-honoring life to His redeemed Bride - the church.
This message was no "secret" (Brian), but it was what He preached. Freinds, you know that preach means to proclaim with authority. This message was "yelled from the rooftops," if you will.
Paul affirmed this message when He spoke at Mars Hill (Yes, Rob this is for you too), "But now [God] commands all men to repent." This is the message Jesus preached, and the one we too should preach. Not some mystical message that goes against and/or denies the Word of God.
Friends, you have been swayed by the enemy, to believe that the infallible Word of God was written for us to simply know how to follow Jesus, but John is clear. John 20:31, "But these [the Gospel of John] are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."
My brothers, do not forsake the Gospel. For, it truly is the power of God unto salvation. There is life after deathand two destinations. Friends, I earnestly believe you know this, but as shepherds of your flock you must make this clear to your members, friends, and family. It is our commanded vocation given to us by our loving Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. This is our calling - to shepherd.
Brothers, you are the shepherds of your church,community, group, whatever you want to call it. But Good shepherds do not mislead their flock, and consequently become lost. They know where to go, how to lead their flock. This must be us.
While, this is nearly an impossible task, it is what we are to strive for. To know our God, what He has communicated to us in the Bible, and know how to apply His Word in our lives and the lives of others. As shepherds, we must be sure not to mislead our flock.
We cannot be unsure, uncertain, or doubtful about God's Word. It is the Truth. We must study this Truth, and apply it. This doubt that has been plaguing your movement needs to end. It is not arragant to be certain, brothers. It is arragant to believe your word, thought, or opinion is greater than God's, i.e. the Bible. The virgin birth, the Resurrection, election are all true because the Truth says it is true. And, if you truly desire to hear "Well done, thou good and faithful servant", you must come to the realization of the Word of God being the ultimate authority for everything.
Lastly, brothers you are tearing apart the church. I believe that your movement, dialogue, conversation etc. is very similar to Saul. You sincerely believe you are doing a great work for God, but in truth you are "ravaging the church."
I know this statement is harsh, But I hope that it is apparent that I have genuine love and concern for you. I also hope that these words have been of the "faithful are the wounds of a friend" genre.
In closing, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." So stop dividing, stop misinterpreting, and stop giving into the Enemy. (Ephesians 4:14) "Do not be tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine." Rather, "But as for you teach what accords with sound doctrine." (Titus 2:1)
To God be the glory always and throughout eternity,
Your Friend,
Dean
But, I (and our Lord) have this against you. In you're diligent attempt to be followers of the person of Jesus, my brothers you have forgotten and forsaken His message. His message was the same as His cousin, John - repentence. Primarily, He came to seek and to save, secondly to be an example of a God-honoring life to His redeemed Bride - the church.
This message was no "secret" (Brian), but it was what He preached. Freinds, you know that preach means to proclaim with authority. This message was "yelled from the rooftops," if you will.
Paul affirmed this message when He spoke at Mars Hill (Yes, Rob this is for you too), "But now [God] commands all men to repent." This is the message Jesus preached, and the one we too should preach. Not some mystical message that goes against and/or denies the Word of God.
Friends, you have been swayed by the enemy, to believe that the infallible Word of God was written for us to simply know how to follow Jesus, but John is clear. John 20:31, "But these [the Gospel of John] are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."
My brothers, do not forsake the Gospel. For, it truly is the power of God unto salvation. There is life after deathand two destinations. Friends, I earnestly believe you know this, but as shepherds of your flock you must make this clear to your members, friends, and family. It is our commanded vocation given to us by our loving Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. This is our calling - to shepherd.
Brothers, you are the shepherds of your church,community, group, whatever you want to call it. But Good shepherds do not mislead their flock, and consequently become lost. They know where to go, how to lead their flock. This must be us.
While, this is nearly an impossible task, it is what we are to strive for. To know our God, what He has communicated to us in the Bible, and know how to apply His Word in our lives and the lives of others. As shepherds, we must be sure not to mislead our flock.
We cannot be unsure, uncertain, or doubtful about God's Word. It is the Truth. We must study this Truth, and apply it. This doubt that has been plaguing your movement needs to end. It is not arragant to be certain, brothers. It is arragant to believe your word, thought, or opinion is greater than God's, i.e. the Bible. The virgin birth, the Resurrection, election are all true because the Truth says it is true. And, if you truly desire to hear "Well done, thou good and faithful servant", you must come to the realization of the Word of God being the ultimate authority for everything.
Lastly, brothers you are tearing apart the church. I believe that your movement, dialogue, conversation etc. is very similar to Saul. You sincerely believe you are doing a great work for God, but in truth you are "ravaging the church."
I know this statement is harsh, But I hope that it is apparent that I have genuine love and concern for you. I also hope that these words have been of the "faithful are the wounds of a friend" genre.
In closing, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." So stop dividing, stop misinterpreting, and stop giving into the Enemy. (Ephesians 4:14) "Do not be tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine." Rather, "But as for you teach what accords with sound doctrine." (Titus 2:1)
To God be the glory always and throughout eternity,
Your Friend,
Dean
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