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PROBLEMS THE CHURCH FACES

PROBLEMS THE CHURCH FACES. “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end ” (Mark 13:7). The “End”. Jesus speaks of the end of the Roman empire, or of the end of the world.

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PROBLEMS THE CHURCH FACES

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  1. PROBLEMS THE CHURCH FACES “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end” (Mark 13:7).

  2. The “End” • Jesus speaks of the end of the Roman empire, or of the end of the world. • “End time” prophecies – point is, No One Knows. • People also prophecy of end of the church, end of religion. • But God said – Dan. 2:44; Heb. 12:28 • Congregations may pass away – Rev. 2:5; 3:1-6 - but not Christ’s church.

  3. Severe Tests • Older members pass away. • Who will replace “Moses” and “Joshua”, and “Jeremiah”? • We need newer “Leaders”, and dedicated followers. • The world attracts us. Some fall, others are distracted. • Marriage problems plague “US”. Greed, theft, etc. • 50 to 75% of our young people disappear from the church. • Men (and many women) aren’t interested in “religion”. • Our basic problems:

  4. Zero Growth • Big city churches “swell” as folks move from country to city for jobs. But they’re all here. Rural population is smaller than ever. • What should we do? • Teach – that’s always been the solution. • “Each one teach one.” “You can’t go to heaven alone.” “You Never Mentioned Him To Me…” • Matt. 22: 37 • Then, Acts 8:4; 11:19; 18:24ff; 1 Peter 3:15

  5. Fragmentation - Division • Over “non doctrinal” issues. • We can’t get along with others – or even with ourselves. • Gal. 5:15; James 3:14-18 • This destroys our today, and our tomorrow. • Who wants to join a bickering, sour tempered family? • Weak members are destroyed (I Cor. 8:9-13), young members look elsewhere. • Spirit of Diotrephes – 3 John 9-10

  6. Materialism • Matt. 6:23-24 • We may speak much of the Lord, go to church regularly, and worship “things, stuff”. • Materialism is “normal”, especially for the 2nd and 3rd generation of prosperity. • A great warning – 2 Kings 17:41 • Matt. 6:33 comes at the end of the Lord’s teaching on worry. Worry about “things.”

  7. Destruction of Family • Divorce is a problem, but it isn’t the only thing that destroys families. • Time. Activities. • Family dinners. • Sunday afternoons. • TV’s w/o remotes, and only 3 channels. • 8 party telephone lines. • Old fashioned isn’t necessarily better. But most things revolved around the together family.

  8. Do You Know God? • A “Personal” relationship – not inherited or developed from family. • Bible study. • Prayer • Trust. • We’ll never have strong churches until we know, love and trust God. • Obeying Him depends on knowing Him.

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