Plumbline Faith

Simple Faith, Simple Truth, Simple Virtue

Author: Plumbline Faith

Simple Truths from a Lifetime of Service to the King of Kings
BOGUS — August 21, 2018

BOGUS

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God’s presence without His sovereignty …

Is an impossibility.

Which is why I’m convinced that what we call “worship” and “His presence” at many “churches” these days …

Is so bogus.

It’s just emotional manipulation, masquerading as “worship” …

To generate feelings of intensity, and calling it “God” …

During a staged performance, claiming to be “church.”

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“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Rom. 12:1-2

MONO OR PARTICIPATORY CHURCH? — August 20, 2018

MONO OR PARTICIPATORY CHURCH?

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On Sunday, many go hear their pastor as part of his congregation.

In contrast, I am part of a participatory congregation that ministers – pastorally and otherwise – one to another …

Without the distraction of those solo and monologue “pastor” things others do.

Interestingly, churches in the New Testament did fine without them also …

Because there is no place for monopolies when the diverse, multi-part and multi-gifted Body of Christ operates as He intended.

AUTHENTIC WORSHIP — August 19, 2018

AUTHENTIC WORSHIP

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There’s nothing entertaining …

About authentic worship.

Because authentic worship, as the New Testament actually defines it, means living lives of sacrificial service and reverent obedience.

Maybe this explains why real worship among many “Christians” and “churches” these days …

Is so rare.

THE JESUS SHOW — August 18, 2018
THE REVIVAL MERRY-GO-ROUND — August 17, 2018
FINDING TRUE CHURCH — August 16, 2018

FINDING TRUE CHURCH

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Guys in jail often ask me how to find a good church when they get out.

I tell them that if they visit a couple of times on Sunday and no one ever invites them home to share friendship and a meal together, move on …

It’s just a meeting, not a church.

MISCONSTRUED “WORSHIP” — August 15, 2018

MISCONSTRUED “WORSHIP”

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When people say “worship” today …

They mean reverent music.

When the New Testament says “worship” …

It means living our lives in reverent obedience and sacrificial service to God.

There’s nothing wrong with music.

It has its place, when done as the New Testament actually says …

But not as a substitute or new definition for true worship.

That was never God’s intent.

SOLA SCRIPTURA? — August 14, 2018
WHO IS THE CHURCH? — August 13, 2018
“WORSHIP” IDOLATRY — August 12, 2018

“WORSHIP” IDOLATRY

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“Worship” has been reduced from its Biblical meaning of living lives in obeisance (humble submission) and obedience to God …

To music that makes us feel good.

Although music can be a good thing …

Somehow, I think we lost our way.

I AM BECAUSE HE IS — August 11, 2018
Simple Faith — August 10, 2018
FAUX “CHURCH” — August 9, 2018
THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM — August 8, 2018

THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM

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Jesus never said we’re saved by asking Him into our heart …

But by surrendering to His Kingdom rule and doing His Father’s will.

That’s called repentance.

Those who proclaim anything less …

Are preaching a lie.

ONE TO ANOTHER — August 7, 2018

ONE TO ANOTHER

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How we measure “church” success:

Ministry by one man to fifty each Sunday morning …

That’s nice.

Ministry by one man to hundreds …

Now you’re talkin’!

Ministry by one man to thousands …

Mega success!!

How the New Testament measures church success:

Ministry one to another.

Simple Discipleship — August 6, 2018

Simple Discipleship

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The me-centered, contrived intensity that many call “worship” these days …

Is an affront to God’s holiness.

In the New Testament, true worship is living lives of obeisance (humble submission) and obedience to Him, as He mandates …

Rather than projecting our own carnality onto Him to feed our own soulish needs.

Let’s return to the true God of Scripture with authentic worship …

As actually defined and commanded by Him.

Because when we relate to God on His terms rather than ours …

Amazing things of eternal significance will start happening in your own life and those around you.

Simple Truth — August 5, 2018

Simple Truth

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Sometimes, prophetic voices speak truth to those who don’t want to listen and don’t want to know.

Not to convince them …

But to remove all excuses when they stand before a just and holy God on that fateful final day.

Simple Truth — August 4, 2018

Simple Truth

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Authentic citizens of God’s Kingdom …

Are the greatest force for reforming earthly kingdoms.

History proves this time and again …

And God is not yet done with history.

If, however, you’ve not the grace to heed His call outside your own comfort zones …

Then at least don’t diss those who do.

Simple Faith — August 3, 2018
THE LIVING WORD AND HIS WRITTEN WORD — August 2, 2018

THE LIVING WORD AND HIS WRITTEN WORD

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A “relationship” with a purely subjective Jesus, apart from His plenary authority of Scripture as His written Word …

Leads to inauthentic faith.

Likewise, “truth” based on the plenary authority of Scripture without Jesus alive in us …

Also leads to an inauthentic faith.

Each extreme – born of an endless cycle of reaction to the other – chronicles two tragic trends of Church history.

Unfortunately, we still see these extremes played out today.

Authentic faith embraces the fulness of Christ:

Both His Person …

And what He has revealed in His written Word of Scripture.

Nonetheless, where my subjective perception of Him differs from His written self-disclosure, objective precepts and propositional truths of Scripture …

I must yield to Scripture.

There can be no maturity in Christ or functional communities of believers apart from these essentials.

Simple Faith — August 1, 2018

Simple Faith

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Salvation isn’t about “asking Jesus into your heart”.

There’s nothing in the New Testament which says that.

Rather, it’s about repenting and submitting to His Kingdom …

On His terms, not ours.

When we stand before Him on that final day …

It will be the only Gospel that counts.

Simple Church — July 31, 2018

Simple Church

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There are no “worship leaders” in the New Testament.

Nope, not, nada.

In fact, the very concept is utterly missing from “church” and “worship” as actually taught in the New Testament.

Why is that?

Could it be that our notions of “church” and “worship” are more about post-Biblical presumptions …

Than what God actually says in His written Word?

Being willing to acknowledge the many disconnects between church as we’ve come to know it and how the New Testament explicitly defines and commands it …

May get you in trouble, but often is the first step towards finding the latter in lieu of the former.

Yet it is the road less traveled.

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

  • Colossians 2:8
Simple Church — July 30, 2018

Simple Church

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Functional, sustainable ekklesia (i.e., “church”) is impossible …

Among those who reject the plenary authority of Scripture as God’s revealed, transcendent and propositional truth.

It’s like cats trying to herd themselves.

Simple Church — July 29, 2018

Simple Church

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Someone asked if I believe in female clergy.

No way, no how!

But then again, I don’t believe in male clergy either. 😉

Seriously, there is no clergy/laity divide in the New Testament.

Instead, we are ALL commanded to submit one to another as we minister to each other …

No matter what differing function, diverse gift or level of grace we’ve been given.

Simple Faith — July 28, 2018