<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Refocusing our Eyes &#187; Greg Gordon</title>
	<atom:link href="http://refocusingoureyes.com/category/various-authors/greg-gordon/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://refocusingoureyes.com</link>
	<description>Looking Through the Doors of the Church</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:04:20 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1</generator>
		<item>
		<title>95 Theses To The Evangelical Church by Greg Gordon</title>
		<link>http://refocusingoureyes.com/various-authors/greg-gordon/95-theses-to-the-evangelical-church-by-greg-gordon</link>
		<comments>http://refocusingoureyes.com/various-authors/greg-gordon/95-theses-to-the-evangelical-church-by-greg-gordon#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:56:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Holly Dye</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Greg Gordon]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://hollydye.wordpress.com/?p=1462</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Thesis 1 &#8211; The evangelical church at large has forgotten that the chief end of man is to glorify God. (Romans 16:27; I Corinthians 6:20; Matthew 6:9) Thesis 2 - Evangelicals ignore most of the methods, practices and principles found in Acts chapter 2. (Acts 2:42, 44, 46; 2:38) Thesis 3 - We meet for [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://refocusingoureyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/greggordon2.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2431" title="greggordon2" src="http://refocusingoureyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/greggordon2-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Thesis 1</strong> &#8211; <strong>The evangelical church at large has forgotten that the chief end of man is to glorify God.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Romans 16:27; I Corinthians 6:20; Matthew 6:9)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 2 </strong>- <strong>Evangelicals ignore most of the methods, practices and principles found in Acts chapter 2.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Acts 2:42, 44, 46; 2:38)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 3 </strong>- <strong>We meet for one hour a week and consider <em>that</em> apostolic church. Many evangelicals treat church like any other social club or sports event that they attend.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Acts 2:46; Hebrews 10:25; Acts 1:14)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong><span id="more-1462"></span>Thesis 4 </strong>- <strong>We have made Christianity about the individual rather then a community of believers.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(1John 2:19; 2 Timothy 4:16; Jude 1:9)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 5</strong> &#8211; <strong>In evangelical churches the priesthood of all believers is not acknowledged and the role of pastor is abused. The biblical view of a plurality of elders is practiced by very few.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(1 Peter 2:9, 1 Corinthians 12:12, Ephesians 4:11-13)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 6 </strong>– <strong>The evangelical church as a whole has lost the concept of their being engrafted into the promises given to Israel.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Romans 11:17-18,20, Romans 11:25, Romans 11:15)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 7 </strong>- <strong>There needs to be a recovery back to teaching through the whole counsel of God expositionally.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Acts 20:27, 1 Timothy 4:6, 2 Timothy 2:15)</em><strong><br />
</strong></p></blockquote>
<p><strong> Thesis 8 </strong>- <strong>We take it too lightly, the blessing and honor of having God’s Scriptures in our possession.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Psalm 119:16, Acts 13:44,  Nehemiah 8:9)</em><br />
<strong></strong></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 9 </strong>- <strong>There has never been more access to the word of God yet so little reading of it.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(1 Timothy 4:13, Nehemiah 8:1-3, Psalm 119:59)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 10</strong> &#8211; <strong>Some read the Scriptures to attain knowledge and do not practice what they read.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(James 1:22, Matthew 7:21, 3 John 4)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 11</strong> &#8211; <strong>Worship has become an idol in many churches. The music resembles the world more than anything else.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Amos 5:23, Philippians 4:8, 1 John 5:21)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 12 </strong>- <strong>The world is shaping the views of the evangelical church more than the church shaping the views of the world.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Romans 12:2, Matthew 5:13, 1 Corinthians 1:22-23)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 13</strong> &#8211; <strong>The evangelical church spends more money on dog food then missions.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(2 Corinthians 9:6, Luke 21:2, Acts 4:34-35)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 14 </strong>- <strong>We take lightly the cost of discipleship laid out by Jesus Christ and consider following Him a sort of jovial thing rather then it truly costing us our actual entire lives.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Luke 14:33, Luke 14:26-27, Matthew 8:19-20)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 15 </strong>- <strong>There is a lack of true discipleship and making others to be obedient disciples.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Matthew 28:20, 2 Timothy 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:14)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 16</strong> &#8211; <strong>The modern day evangelical believes the error that, parts of life are to be spiritual while other parts are to be worldly and secular. Rather than our entire life’s being spiritual and our walk with God.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(1 Peter 4:2, Colossians 3:3, 1 John 2:6)</em><br />
<strong></strong></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 17</strong> &#8211; <strong>The modern day evangelical finds Jesus’ command to sacrifice and serve abhorrent.<br />
</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Philippians 2:21, James 3:16, Romans 12:1-2)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 18 </strong>- <strong>Self disciplines in the Christian life such as fasting, praying, suffering are considered legalistic.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(2 Timothy 2:21, 2 Timothy 1:8, Matthew 6:17)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 19</strong> &#8211; <strong>Little thought and contemplation is put towards the lostness of men, the seriousness of the gospel, and the sacrifice of the call of Christ.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Philippians 3:8, Galatians 2:20, Hebrews 10:34)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 20</strong> &#8211; <strong>We are living with an epidemic of cheap grace in the Church. Flippant confession, shallow consecration, superficial surrender.<br />
</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Luke 14:28-30, Luke 14:26, James 4:8)</em><br />
<strong></strong></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 21 </strong>- <strong>Since the inception of the Church, the Gospel of Jesus Christ was preached with the requirements of repentance and discipleship.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Acts 2:38, Luke 14:26, John 8:31)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 22</strong> &#8211; <strong>Presently, the “High-Calling in Christ Jesus,” has never been offered at such a low level. Forgiveness without repentance, discipleship without obedience, salvation without sanctity, confession without consecration.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Hebrews 10:29, Hebrews 4:11, Luke 13:24)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 23</strong> &#8211; <strong>Such terms as: Introspection, counting the cost, godly sorrow over sin, repentance from dead works, are all foreign to this church age of cheap grace.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Acts 2:37, Psalm 119:9, Hebrews 6:1-2)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 24</strong> &#8211; <strong>The modern evangelical church loves itself more than its neighbor.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(1 Corinthians 3:3, Galatians 5:13, Philippians 2:3)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 25</strong> &#8211; <strong>The church must repent of its idolization of personality and business principles.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(2 Corinthians 2:17, 1 Corinthians 3:5, 1 Corinthians 12:23)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 26</strong> &#8211; <strong>The elders and pastors of the church, as ministers of the gospel, are charged by Jesus to feed the sheep. But sadly many are fleecing the flock to supply their wants.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(John 10:12-13, 1 Peter 5:2-3, Revelation 2:15)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 27 </strong>- <strong>The qualities most in demand in today&#8217;s pastorate are frequently foreign to the qualities which are made most important in Scripture.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(1 Timothy 3:2-3, 1 Timothy 3:5, 1 Timothy 1:5-7)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 28</strong> &#8211; <strong>The professionalization of the pastorate is a sin and needs to be repented of.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(2 Corinthians 11:13, Galatians 3:1, Galatians 2:6)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 29</strong> &#8211; <strong>There must be repentance for the ambitious desire and idolization of the celebrity pastorate.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(3 John 9, Jeremiah 17:5, 1 Corinthians 12:22)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 30</strong> &#8211; <strong>The evangelical pastor must trust the Spirit, not statistics.<br />
</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(2 Samuel 24:1, 1 Corinthians 1:25, Romans 8:14)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 31</strong> &#8211; <strong>Modern day prophets are being stoned by criticism and neglect.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(2 Timothy 4:3-4, Galatians 1:10, Jeremiah 1:7-8)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 32</strong> &#8211; <strong>God’s prophets are ill treated and shunned by most evangelicals and considered too extreme or harsh.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Jeremiah 6:10, Isaiah 6:9-10, Galatians 4:16)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 33</strong> &#8211; <strong>An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And my people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Matthew 24:4,11-12, 1 Corinthians 1:19, Jude 8 )</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 34 </strong>- <strong>There are many false gospels being preached from pulpits. God has no interest and is not required to honor a gospel that is false.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(2 Corinthians 11:4, Galatians 1:8-9, Jude 16)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 35</strong> &#8211; <strong>There is an epidemic of a sort of “mock” salvation being preached from many pulpits today. It is a gospel message that is not authentic. It is correct in doctrine but false in reality.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(2 Corinthians 3:6, 1 John 5:11-12, Romans 8:9)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 36</strong> &#8211; <strong>What is this “mock” salvation that is being spoken of? Simply deﬁned it is a salvation that does not make men holy.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Jude 4, Romans 8:1, Romans 6:17-18)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 37</strong> &#8211; <strong>No other evangelical phraseology has caused more damage to true gospel preaching then this simple coined phrase: “we are all just sinners saved by grace.”</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Ephesians 1:1, Hebrews 6:11-12, Hebrews 10:26-27)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 38</strong> &#8211; <strong>There is a gospel message that keeps men sinners and never allows them to change and become saints in actual experience.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(1 John 2:29, Colossians 3:5-8, Titus 3:8)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 39</strong> &#8211; <strong>The warning of Christ is against this gospel where professors of religion are forbidding people to be a part of the holy body of Christ.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Matthew 23:13, Psalm 119:1-2, 2 Peter 1:3-4)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 40</strong> &#8211; <strong>Preaching has become all about the happiness of man and not the glory of God.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(John 6:26, Romans 4:20, 1 Peter 4:11)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 41</strong> &#8211; <strong>Preachers give smooth words to entice men, yet very few give any words of correction or rebuke.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Jeremiah 6:14, Proverbs 1:23, 1 Timothy 5:20)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 42</strong> &#8211; <strong>Run from gospels that focus on your success and prosperity. From those that use the name of Jesus Christ only for personal gain.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(John 2:16, Acts 20:33, Jeremiah 6:13)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 43 </strong>- <strong>Run from gospels that focus only on self-improvement.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(1 Timothy 6:5, Hebrews 12:14, James 4:14)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 44</strong> &#8211; <strong>Run from churches where men and not Christ are gloriﬁed.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Colossians 1:18, Jude 25, John 16:14)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 45</strong> &#8211; <strong>Run from churches where there is no Bible, no cross, no searching Word, no repentance from sin, no mention of the blood of Christ.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(1 Peter 1:18-19, Ephesians 3:13, Revelation 1:5)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 46</strong> &#8211; <strong>Run from churches where the worship leaves you cold, where there’s no sense of God’s presence.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(1 Corinthians 5:4, Psalm 80:14-15, Jeremiah 12:11)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 47</strong> &#8211; <strong>Run from churches where you’re comfortable in your sin.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(1 Corinthians 14:25, Hebrews 10:30-31, Hebrews 4:13)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 48</strong> &#8211; <strong>Run from churches that use the pulpit of God for a personal agenda.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Jude 10-11, Jude 19, 3 John 9)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 49</strong> &#8211; <strong>Run from those who preach division between races and cultures.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(James 2:4, Galatians 3:28, Revelation 5:9)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 50</strong> &#8211; <strong>Run from ungodly, spasmodic movements and endless empty prophesying.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Jeremiah 5:13, 1 Corinthians 14:33, 1 John 2:16)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 51</strong> &#8211; <strong>Run from preachers who tell only stories and jokes.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Ephesians 5:4, Titus 1:8, Titus 2:12)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 52</strong> &#8211; <strong>Run from those that are only after money and they use one gimmick after another to get your money.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(2 Peter 2:3, 2 Corinthians 12:14, 1 Corinthians 9:18)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 53</strong> &#8211; <strong>The phrase “accept Jesus as your personal Saviour.” Is not found in the Scriptures.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Romans 10:9-10, Colossians 1:13, Acts 26:20)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 54</strong> &#8211; <strong>Evidence of true conversion is something that does not seem important to modern day evangelicals.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(1 John 2:6, 1 John 4:17, Matthew 7:20)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 55</strong> &#8211; <strong>In result thousands of sinners think of God having only one attribute, <em>LOVE</em>! which has allowed multitudes to sit at ease with their sins.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Romans 1:18, Acts 5:11, Psalm 2:12)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 56 </strong>- <strong>God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life has caused much confusion in evangelism to the lost.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Romans 3:19, Acts 26:18, Philippians 3:18-21)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 57 </strong>- <strong>A Gospel of love and grace only without the law of God is being preached. Martin Luther called this gospel a doctrine of Satan.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(2 Timothy 4:3-4, Romans 2:4-5, Romans 3:19)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 58 </strong>- <strong>We have inherited a system of evangelistic preaching which is unbiblical. This has clearly arisen from the careless mixture of 20th century reasoning with God’s revelation.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Colossians 2:8, Romans 1:25, Galatians 1:6)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 59</strong> &#8211; <strong>Decisionism and the sinners prayer has been the major cause of false conversions in the evangelical church.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(2 Peter 2:1-2, Ephesians 2:4-5, 2 Corinthians 5:17-18)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 60</strong> &#8211; <strong>Evangelicals are swelling the ranks of the deluded with a perverted gospel! Many who have made decisions in churches have been told in the inquiry rooms their sins have been forgiven will be surprised to hear “I never knew you depart from me.”<br />
</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Matthew 7:22-23, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 61</strong> &#8211; <strong>Men have taken the place of the Holy Spirit of God in confirming men in their supposed salvation.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(1 John 2:3-5, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, Galatians 6:12-15)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 62</strong> &#8211; <strong>The doctrine of hell and eternal suffering is something little grasped by most evangelicals.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Matthew 13:42, James 5:1, Psalms 9:17)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 63</strong> &#8211; <strong>The judgment seat of Christ is perhaps one of the most neglected topics in the modern evangelical pulpit.</strong><br />
<em> </em></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:10, 1 Corinthians 3:13)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 64</strong> &#8211; <strong>The second coming of Jesus Christ needs to be re-instated as the general thrust and burden of the church.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(1 John 3:2-3, Colossians 3:4-6, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 65</strong> &#8211; <strong>The evangelical church has lost the fear of God and has over emphasized the love of God.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Hebrews 12:28-29, Luke 12:5, Hebrews 10:31)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 66</strong> &#8211; <strong>The church has left evangelism to a few trained professionals rather than simply obeying the Scriptures call to personally evangelize themselves.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Acts 8:1,4, Acts 4:29, Romans 10:14)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 67</strong> &#8211; <strong>Repentance is considered a one-time act in modern evangelism rather than a way of life.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Revelation 3:19, Hebrews 12:17, 2 Peter 3:9)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 68</strong> &#8211; <strong>The Lordship of Jesus Christ is something that is not imposed on sinners initially and creates half-saved people who have a Saviour but not a Lord.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Acts 2:36, 1 Corinthians 12:3, Romans 6:18)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 69</strong> &#8211; <strong>We are not open to correction, discipline or rebuke. And most would rather just move to another evangelical church somewhere down the road.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Corinthians 11:31-32, Hebrews 12:7-9)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 70</strong> &#8211; <strong>There is a great deal of preaching that amounts to a mere believing of the different theories about salvation, instead of persuading men to come to Christ and be saved.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(John 5:40, Colossians 1:28, 2 Corinthians 4:5)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 71</strong> &#8211; <strong>There has been a loss of the fullness and majesty of the gospel.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em> (1 Timothy 1:11, Jude 25, Romans 15:29)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 72</strong> &#8211; <strong>There is little mention of sin or the depravity of man from evangelical pulpits.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(John 3:20, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:5)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 73</strong> &#8211; <strong>Covetousness, consumerism, and coddling the world’s goods is something that does not appear wrong to evangelicals.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Jeremiah 22:17, 1 John 2:15-16, 1 Timothy 3:3)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 74 </strong>- <strong>Little is made of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in churches or in evangelism. Yet it was one of the major themes and glories of the apostolic church.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(1 Corinthians 15:14-15, Acts 4:10, Acts 4:33)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 75</strong> &#8211; <strong>The evangelical church has relied more on technology then God.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Zechariah 4:6, 1 Corinthians 1:21, 1 Corinthians 2:4)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 76</strong> &#8211; <strong>The prayer meeting is considered in the evangelical church one of the least important meetings. The idea of meeting for an entire day together seems ridiculous and a waste of time.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(1 Timothy 2:1, Acts 4:31, Philippians 4:6)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 77 </strong>- <strong>Pastors have never prayed less than they do in the evangelical church in our day.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Jeremiah 10:21, Philippians 2:21, Ephesians 6:18-19)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 78</strong> &#8211; <strong>Very few are waiting on God for His direction and purpose for the church.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Ephesians 1:11, Psalm 37:7, Isaiah 40:31)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 79</strong> &#8211; <strong>The evangelical church has many organizers but few agonizers.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Philippians 3:18-19, Romans 9:1-3, Jeremiah 9:1)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 80</strong> &#8211; <strong>We need to have the gifts of the Spirit restored again to the Church. The one gift we need the most is the gift of prophecy.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Corinthians 14:39, 1 Corinthians 12:31)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 81</strong> &#8211; <strong>The evangelical church at large has never been more frivolous about the things of God. A serious, sober, self-controlled Christianity is very seldom found or preached.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(2 Peter 3: 11, 1 Peter 4:7, Jude 3)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 82 </strong>- <strong>The evangelical church at large has forgotten how to pray.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(1 John 3:22, Acts 6:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:17)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 83 </strong>- <strong>Churches are more dependent on tradition rather than on the leading of the Holy Spirit.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Mark 7:13, Acts 16:6, Acts 13:2)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 84</strong> &#8211; <strong>It might seem strange to say that ministers of religion are “pleading for impurity and sin.” Yet this is exactly what multitudes of professors preach and teach that you cannot be free from sin. That you must sin!</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Romans 16:18, Romans 6:1-2, 2 Peter 2:1)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 85 </strong>- <strong>The Apostles and Christ always preached from the vantage point of the possibility to walk holy and free from sin.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em> (Titus 2:11-12, 1 Peter 1:14-16, Romans 6:19)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 86 </strong>- <strong>Sinners are not saved to sin but rather saved to holiness and good works.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Romans 6:13, Ephesians 2:10, 2 Peter 3:14)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 87</strong> &#8211; <strong>Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner. Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of the church.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(2 Timothy 2:19, 1 Peter 4:17-18, 2 Timothy 3:12)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 88</strong> &#8211; <strong>A baptism of holiness, a demonstration of godly living is the crying need of our day.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(1 Timothy 6:3, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 2 Thessalonians 2:13)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 89</strong> -<strong> Most in the Church are utterly confused about the practical godliness, obedience, and good works which the Scriptures readily mentions.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Titus 3:8, John 10:32, Revelation 3:15)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 90</strong> &#8211; <strong>Little or no emphasis is put in evangelical churches on the plan of God to make us like Jesus Christ, conforming us to His image.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(1 Peter 1:14-16, 1 John 2:6, 1 Peter 4:1)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 91</strong> &#8211; <strong>Christ did not die on the cross to obtain a worldly Church or for worldly Saints but for a “glorious Church.”</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Ephesians 5:27, Titus 2:14, Colossians 4:12)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 92 </strong>- <strong>Christ does not come into our unregenerate, sickly, impure hearts as many contemporary theologians say. He gives us a new heart to dwell in wherein is found holiness and righteousness.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(2 Corinthians 5:17, Matthew 5:8, Ezekiel 18:31)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 93</strong> &#8211; <strong>A holy Church is God’s blessing to the world; an unholy Church is God’s judgment upon the world.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Matthew 5:14,16, Ephesians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:12)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 94</strong> &#8211; <strong>If Christianity is to make any headway in the present time, it must be proved to be more then a theory.</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(2 Thessalonians 3:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><strong>Thesis 95</strong> &#8211; <strong>Unbelief has us captive; the evangelical church is gagged and bound as risen Lazarus, it needs release in this final hour!</strong></p>
<blockquote><p><em>(Hebrews 3:12-14, 1 Corinthians 3:21-23, Hebrews 11:6)</em></p></blockquote>
<p><em><strong>Source:</strong> <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://oldpathsmag.wordpress.com/2009/10/31/95-theses-to-the-evangelical-church-by-greg-gordon/" target="_blank">The Old Paths Magazine</a></span></strong><br />
</em></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://refocusingoureyes.com/various-authors/greg-gordon/95-theses-to-the-evangelical-church-by-greg-gordon/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Worldliness Is Wrong! Dear Church by Greg Gordon</title>
		<link>http://refocusingoureyes.com/various-authors/greg-gordon/worldliness-is-wrong-dear-church-by-greg-gordon</link>
		<comments>http://refocusingoureyes.com/various-authors/greg-gordon/worldliness-is-wrong-dear-church-by-greg-gordon#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:44:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Holly Dye</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Greg Gordon]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://hollydye.wordpress.com/?p=811</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A message to a church that is in adultery with the world PECULIAR PEOPLE The world is too much amongst us! God has called his church to be separate from the world. “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><em>A message to a church that is in adultery with the world</em></p>
<p><em></em><strong><a href="http://refocusingoureyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/greggordon2.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2431" title="greggordon2" src="http://refocusingoureyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/greggordon2-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a>PECULIAR PEOPLE</strong></p>
<p>The world is too much amongst us! God has called his church to be separate from the world. “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” God desires a Church that is “perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” Scripture says in another place: “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Horatius Bonar said over 200 years ago: “I looked for the Church and I found it in the world, and I looked for the world and I found it in the Church.” A worldly Church will never win the world. Keith Daniel said: “If we try to win the world by being like the world the world will win you!” A peculiar people is a powerful people! God anoints a set apart Church with the Power of His Spirit, there is no other way. We must be a peculiar people in these “last days,” God is calling apart a people that love the “things of God” more then the “things of the world.”</p>
<blockquote><p><em><strong><span id="more-811"></span>THE CHURCH WALKING WITH THE WORLD<br />
</strong></em></p>
<p>The Church and the World walked far apart. On the changing shore of time; The World was singing a giddy song, The Church a hymn sublime. &#8220;Come give me your hand,&#8221; said the merry World, &#8220;And walk with me this way,&#8221; But the good Church hid her snowy hand, And solemnly answered, &#8220;Nay; I will not give you my hand at all, And I will not walk with you; Your way is the way of eternal death, And your words are all untrue.&#8221; &#8220;Nay, walk with me a little space,&#8221; Said the World with a kindly air, The road I walk is a pleasant road, And the sun shines always there. Your way is narrow and thorny and rough, While mine is flowery and smooth; Your lot is sad with reproach and toil, But in rounds of joy I move. My way, you can see, is a broad, fair one, And my gate is high and wide; There is room enough for you and me, And we&#8217;ll travel side by side.&#8221;</p>
<p>Half shyly the Church approached the World, And gave him her hand of snow; And the false World grasped it, and walked along, And whispered in accents low, &#8220;Your dress is to simple to please my taste; I have gold and pearls to wear; Rich velvets and silks for your graceful form, And diamonds to deck your hair.&#8221; 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; &#8220;I will change my dress for a costlier one,&#8221; 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 fashionable silks, And roses and gems and pearls; And over her forehead her bright hair fell. And waved in a thousand curls.</p>
<p>&#8220;Your house is to plain,&#8221; said the proud old World, &#8220;I will build you one like mine, With kitchen for feasting and parlor for play, And furniture never so fine.&#8221; So he built her a costly and beautiful house-Splendid it was to behold; Her sons and her daughters met frequently there, Shining in purple and gold. The Angel of mercy flew over the Church, And whispered, &#8220;I know thy sin;&#8221; Then the Church looked sad, and anxiously longed. To gather her children in. But some were away at the midnight ball, And others were at the play; And some were drinking in gay saloons, So she quietly went her way.</p>
<p>Then said the World in soothing tones, &#8220;Your children mean no harm-Merely indulging in innocent sports,&#8221; So she leaned on his proffered arm, And smiled, and chatted, and gathered flowers, And walked along with the World, While countless millions of precious souls. Over the fearful brink were hurled. &#8220;Your preachers are all to old and plain,&#8221; Said the gay World with a sneer; &#8220;They frighten my children with dreadful tales, Which I like not for them to hear. They talk of judgments and fire and pain, And the doom of darkest night; They warn of a place that should not be. Mentioned to ears polite! I will send you some of a better stamp, More brilliant and gay and fast, Who will show how men may live as they list. And then go to heaven at last.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;The Father is merciful, great, and good, Loving and tender and kind; Do you think He would take one child to heaven, And leave another behind?&#8221; So she called for pleasing and gay divines. Deemed gifted , and great, and learned; And the plain old men that had preached the cross, Were out of her pulpits turned. Then Mammon came in and supported the Church, And rented a prominent pew; And preaching and singing and floral display. Soon proclaimed a gospel new. &#8220;You give too much to the poor,&#8221; said the World, &#8220;Far more than you ought to do; Though the poor need shelter, food, and clothes, Why need it trouble you?&#8221; &#8220;Go, take your money and buy rich robes. And horses and carriages fine; And pearls and jewels and dainty food, The rarest and costliest wine. My children, they dote on all such things. And if you their love would win, You must do as they do, and walk in the way. Which they are walking in.&#8221;</p>
<p>Then the Church drew tightly the strings of her purse, And gracefully lowered her head, And simpered, &#8220;I&#8217;ve given too much away, I will do, sir, as you have said.&#8221; So the poor were turned from her door in scorn, She heard not the orphans&#8217; cry; And she drew her beautiful robes aside. As the widows went weeping by. So they of the Church and they of the World. Journeyed closely, hand and heart, And none but the Master, who knows all, Could discern the two apart. Then the Church sat down at her ease and said, &#8220;I am rich and in goods increased; I have need of nothing, and naught to do, But to laugh and dance and feast.&#8221;</p>
<p>The sly World heard her and laughed within, And mockingly said aside, &#8220;The Church is fallen, the beautiful Church, Her shame is her boast and pride.&#8221; A voice came down from the courts of heaven, From Him who sat on the throne; &#8220;I know thy works and what thou hast said, But alas! thou hast not known That thou art poor and naked and blind, With pride and ruin enthralled; The expectant bride of a heavenly Groom. Is companion of the world! Humble thy heart, confess thy sin, Let shame now cover thy face; Or else, alas! I must cast thee out, And blot thy name from its place.&#8221; (Author Unknown)</p></blockquote>
<p><em>&#8220;Adulterers and adulteresses! Know you not that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself the enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, &#8216;The Spirit who dwells in us yearns</em> <em>jealously?&#8221;(James 4:4-5)</em></p>
<p><strong>WORLDLINESS IN THE CHURCH</strong></p>
<p>Leonard Ravenhill gives a litmus test for a man walking with God: &#8220;The true man of God is heartsick, grieved at the worldliness of the Church&#8230;grieved at the toleration of sin in the Church, grieved at the prayerlessness in the Church. He is disturbed that the corporate prayer of the Church no longer pulls down the strongholds of the devil.&#8221; Truly today it is a time of “weeping” and “shame” of how the world is triumphing over the Church and walking over us. Christ said “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” What a fearful statement: “trodden under foot” Do we not see this today as the world is mocking and walking over all decency and any standard the Church stands for? The cry of the world is “Where is their God?” They do not see God in the Church, for the Church is powerless!</p>
<p>Samuel Chadwick said: “The Holy Ghost cannot conquer the world with unbelief, nor can He save the world with a worldly Church. He calls for a crusade, a campaign, and an adventure of saving passion. For this enterprise He wants a separated, sanctified and sacrificial people.&#8221; Alas Christian do you find yourself not separated from the world? Read the words of A.W. Pink to see where your heart is at: &#8220;The nature of Christ&#8217;s salvation is woefully misrepresented by the present-day evangelist. He announces a Savior from hell rather than a Savior from sin. And that is why so many are fatally deceived, for there are multitudes who wish to escape the Lake of fire who have no desire to be delivered from their carnality and worldliness.&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>A CHRISTIAN AND YET A WORLDLING? </strong></p>
<p>Horatius Bonar speaks forth a rebuke to a worldly complacent Church: “Go on in your worldliness; fling yourselves headlong into the torrent of earth&#8217;s vanities; but know that the end of these things is death! &#8220;Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.&#8221; (1 John 2:15) &#8220;You adulterers! Don&#8217;t you realize that friendship with this world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy this world, you can&#8217;t be a friend of God.&#8221; (James 4:4). The point is settled. The Christian cannot take part with the world in its follies, and gaieties, and sins! What! A Christian and yet a worldling! singing its idle songs, hurrying through its mazy dance, partaking in its mirth and revelry! Impossible! We have ceased to be citizens of earth&#8217;s polluted cities; we are citizens of heaven! We have a home&#8211;but not in the palaces or haunts of the world. We have a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens! ‘But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ!’”</p>
<p>Thomas Brooks said: “The honors, splendor, and all the glory of this world, are but sweet poisons. which will much endanger us, if they do not eternally destroy us.” Yet how many Churchmen without any anguish indulge in the worlds ways. How many Churches offer the people these “poisons” mixed with divine truth. What a deadly mixture! Church depart from the world, may we be able to say with the Apostle Paul: “the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world!” May it be so.</p>
<p><a title="Sermon Index" href="http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&amp;aid=20451" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sermon Index</span></a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://refocusingoureyes.com/various-authors/greg-gordon/worldliness-is-wrong-dear-church-by-greg-gordon/feed</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
