Unfortunately, some of you who listen to preaching online do not go to church anywhere. If you live in the United States, there is probably a pretty good church within driving distance, so I implore you to find a local church and get involved. The website, militarygetsaved, is a good place to start when researching churches in your area. One way to find good churches using that site is to use the control “F” feature and search for the word “soul.” Usually churches that advertise soul winning are right on salvation and use the King James Bible. If that doesn't work, try searching the word "hyles." Selecting a church is often a process of elimination, so watch out for the following deal breakers:
Wrong Bible
Using the wrong Bible version is a serious deal breaker. Be sure that any Bible quotes on a church’s website are from the King James Version. If a church is using a modern perversion, then they will inevitably be led into false doctrine. Unfortunately, even churches with the right Bible can be wrong on key doctrines, but if they don’t have the right Bible, there is no hope of accurate teaching.
Another Gospel
Salvation by works in any form is another automatic deal breaker. Always check the plan of salvation on the church website before visiting to make sure they teach salvation by grace through faith. Don’t be too lazy to visit a church in person if poring over their website is inconclusive. Once you get there, check out their invitations or tracts, which might be on the back table. If you don’t find a published plan of salvation anywhere, then keep your ears open during the service. If the preacher is going to tell people they have to turn from their sins to be saved, he might throw that in at the end, during the “invitation.”
No Soul Winning
Keep in mind that the soul winning might be called “visitation” or “outreach” at some churches since soul winning time is sometimes combined with following-up with people who have visited the church, but it is a better sign if they actually use the term, “soul winning.” If they have somehow left their first love and don’t have any organized soul winning, then you can attempt to start your own soul winning program. If they give your idea the thumbs down, then they are not a legitimate church.
There are a few common doctrinal differences that are not deal breakers. Perhaps the pastor has a different view on the tribulation or supports the nation of Israel politically. Maybe the church offers Sunday School classes instead of having a family-integrated service. I disagree with all of those things, but they are not necessarily deal breakers. Either overlook these differences or move somewhere close to a church that you can agree with. It is important to go to church somewhere—in fact--the Bible commands it. Now stop making excuses and go to church!
“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.” Hebrews 10:25
Here is a sermon on deal breakers
I suppose you're right, but I'm one of those who doesn't attend church. I feel just as comfortable watching your live streams as I do in a building with other people. Besides, I'm an old grump who isn't too fond of people in general. Give the shirt off my back to anyone in need; wouldn't give you a plugged nickle for the entire race. Plus, I'm too purdy, and the old widder women won't leave me alone. But I guess I should reconsider my position in view of your good sermon.
ReplyDeleteI'd just like to point out that even if the church on the website doesn't say soul winning, they may still do it, just not listed on militarygetsaved. That was the case with the church I now attend after Steven Anderson inspired me to do so, so always investigate further, and don't just write it off because you can't see all the right signs on military get saved.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, yes, you are quite right. Just because they don't say "soul-winning" on Military Get Saved, they still may do it. I just know how people are, and so I'm trying to make it easy for them. Great point though.
ReplyDeleteWell said Pastor.
ReplyDeleteI've watched this sermon before and agree with it 100%.
Unfortunately, in my part of the world, ALL churches (even so-called Baptist ones) tick all the boxes. I withdrew my family from a Baptist church that uses all the Bible versions in one sermon, does no soul winning and preaches "salvation by transformation". Baptists churches here have a strange mix of pentecostalism and presbyterianism.
So your online sermons are a Godsend.
I reckon Bro. Kirchway will have to build a whole new congregation in Botswana from scratch and it's good to see that he's done his proper research. He will need a lot of support from FWBC if he is not to be diluted in this regard as I'm sure he may encounter a lot of resistance (even from the government) to this kind of hard preaching when he starts out there.
After I started listening to your sermons, I dropped the dead church I was going to - and it was disqualified on all points you listed. I am going to Oakwood Baptist Church in Flowery Branch, Georgia now. And they are good on all points. Pastor Evans is a decent man who has a good understanding of Scripture, and he promotes soul winning. He is a very staunch defender of the KJV, and I've learned a good amount from him. He has an old article on why Easter is properly used in the KJV located here: https://oakwoodbc.wordpress.com/2011/04/22/is-the-word-easter-a-mistake-in-acts-124-in-the-kjv/
ReplyDeleteHow about a Baptist Church that preaches being born again and gets the saved and Salvation message right, but uses a New KJV Bible? Which is where we have gone for years.
ReplyDeleteAnd what about differences on reprobates doctrine? Our pastor shared on facebook the video of Andrew Sluder and after heated exchange of arguments my husband decided to abandon this church telling me that this was the last straw besides the pastor being "slow" - whatever that means... (ok, I know maybe he is not the brightest guy we've met but I do not think it is a deal breaker...). Right bible, finally straight forward, real gospel, soul winning once a week and right bible.
ReplyDeleteAnd is it on me to go to church now against my husband's wish?