SPCT WRITES:
I just completed a personal study of Leviticus. Has anyone read the clean/unclean rules in Leviticus lately? Note it applies to those WITHIN the congregation and does NOT apply to those without. It was the priests responsibility (not just right) to determine clean/unclean.

I just went through Leviticus in March and yes, it was wonderful!  I’m beginning over in Genesis right now.  Keep in mind, the Jews of the New Testament were required to know the Old Testament Pentatuech and it’s because of this “foundation” that Paul could expound so intensly on the Gospel.  It is intertwined throughout the Old Testament and beautiful in understanding the fullness of God and His Word.

God be with you!

PDL WRITES:
This is Scripture and it reveals the Holy Spirit’s attitude about serious challenges to the Gospel. We could argue whether or not the issues we are discussing rise to that level. I believe they do. The entire axis of the Church has been tilted toward man because of the pragmatic germ embedded in the “church growth movement”. This is not a matter of incidentals...but, it involves ultimately the very preaching of the Gospel itself.

Jesus and the Apostles fought many of these battles before us, and many after them and between us (like for example, St. Augustine).

There is nothing new under the sun.

A secular book I suggest you read PDL is “War and Anti-War” by Andy TOffler.  He is a “futurist” that many governements consider a leader in “worldly prophecy”.  He gives a keen insight into what I would suggest is a day when many of us (Believers), will be considered “religious radicals” (should sound familiar as the term is used almost daily in the news or also known today as.... “terrorists") and guess who will be turning us in?  Not “the world” but the cooperating “religious right” (those who are in “the church” but feel perfectly okay with “telling” who are the “trouble makers” in their religion/denomination).

Brothers,

I’m speaking to those who contend for the faith. To those who uphold the Gospel of Jesus Christ and do not faint in the heat of the day. To those who through denomination and sects are separated. To those who have been baptized into Gods Holy Spirit. To the brotherhood of men and woman who by the Spirit forms the body of Christ. To the disciples who are in Christ, to those who by His Spirit have been enlightened in their understanding to the present situation we find ourselves in. To those who understand that the only way to salvation is to abide in Christ, so He may live through us, to His glory and to God our Fathers glory, Amen

Brothers,

The forces that are lined up against us are great and seem over whelming, but they will not over take us, because He who is in us is greater then he who is in the world. I’m saying this by faith and not because I see any real change (yet) of heart in our Church today. We are talking about Church growth here and when I refer to Church I’m referring to the body of Christ (I say this incase someone thinks I’m going off subject, I’m not!). I’ve read your words here in these blogs and have been encouraged by your faith towards God and His truth according to His Word and Spirit.

Brothers,

What do you think God is thinking about us right now? Come on, you know, you have the mind of Christ if the Spirit lives in you. The very thoughts of God through His Spirit are in your head, what is the Spirit telling you? Is God revealing to you how pleased He is with us? Is He saying, look at the wonderful work my servants are doing in my name? Is He saying, look how the body of my Son Jesus has held together?
Who’s to blame here Brothers, God or us?

Brothers,

Was it not Christ who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers? Why? Was it not to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up? Built up for what purpose? Was it not that we might reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Is God pleased with the way we are preparing God’s people for works of service? Is He pleased with the way we have built up the body of Christ? The Spirit says, NO, He is not pleased with us! We don’t talk about how the body is being built up, rather we talk about how to stop it form being torn down even more. I am convinced each one of us who is led by His Spirit understands how to stop the tear down and begin to build up the body again, but it is our choice. So why is the body torn down? Is it not, because we have not properly prepared God’s people for works of service towards each other, because we have not properly done this, the body is not built up in the Spirit of Christ? What is the proof of this? We only need to look for the fruit.

Brothers,

We have been given by God a great responsibility through and by His Spirit to prepare Gods people for works of service, so the body may be built up in Christ, so that we might reach (unity in the faith.) Let us tell God, brothers, how we’ve been able to accomplish this (unity in the faith), this fruit in reality doesn’t exist does it brothers. No brothers, there isn’t any fruit on this fig tree is there, even though we are in season. We are divided into different sects and we quarrel with each other over what?

What is the definition of a sect: a group of people having a common leadership, set of opinions, philosophical doctrine, political principles, etc., specif. a faction of a larger group.

One of you says, “I follow this sect of Christianity” another “I follow this sect Christianity ” and still another “I follow this sect Christianity” and still another “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was your sect crucified for you? Were you baptized into your sect?

Brothers,

If we can’t reach (unity in the faith) how are we to reach unity in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ? God appeals to us, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of us agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among us and that we may be perfectly united in mind and thought. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Brothers,

If we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

Brothers,

When I think of Church growth, I don’t think of numbers, I think of spiritual growth. But unless we are willing to follow His Spirit and work towards unity in the faith it will not be possible. If any of you wish to work towards this goal of unity let me know.

In Christ Always
Michael