Why do I keep hearing the same thing over and over again?

[Hammster]

If the sermon doesn't mention Jesus Christ and the cross in a meaningful way (not just thrown in there like adding "in Jesus' name" at the end of a prayer), then it isn't worth hearing.

The point of a sermon should be to lead you to worship. Preach Jesus, preach Him loud, and preach Him often.

 

[ebia]

I agree that you should not rely on Sunday service alone. Reading scripture should be a daily thing. I do not read everyday but when I read I read a lot. I also like to study scripture with a study guide. This summer I have studied four different books and I am working on a fifth. I also try to study history. But the most important thing is prayer and trying to shed the old self for the new self. So self study and work are very important. This is what I have been taught as Catholic and so I try to concentrate on things having to do wiith God versus things of this world.

Hopefully my spiritual life is on track. I also tried The Charismatic movement in the Catholic Church and learned much about the gifts of the spirit and even am aware of several that God has given me. Anyhow, that is my church and I hope it sounds as exciting to you guys as I feel it is to me.

Pleased to hear it.

 

[cottonmather]

because its easier to suck up to the people by telling them what they want to hear than offend them with the truth

Boy, you hit that nail on the head. This is true for politics and other areas, not just the church.

 

[BrotherDave]

Why do I keep hearing the same messages over and over and over and over and over, oh did I forget to tell you? and over and over and over again, everytime I come to church? Why are the messages so general and feel good messages and why are there no hardcore Biblical teaching from the Bible? WHY WHY WHY WHY!!!!!

Because I believe God is testing the local churches today so he allows all kinds of teachings, including leaving things out (Matt 13:15, 2 Tim 4:3). People in congregations are suppose to know about God, his concerns about spiritual matters and understand the dangers of following anything other than the true grospel (Gal 1:9,Eph 4:14). They should be running from them. This is why judgement starts at his house (I Peter 4:17,Matt 15:8).

Many believe the local church is pillar and ground of truth. That it will never be destroyed, after all this is what the church tells them. They also may tell them that if they leave or don't do what they say then they will lose their salvation. So they stay believing they are safe (I Thess 5:3)

But God is the pillar and ground of truth and it is the eternal spiritual church made up of everyone God saves that will not be destroyed (Ps 23:6, Rev 3:12). Once he saves someone they have been given eternal life thanks to Christ and can never lose it (John 10:28).

So, as recomended by an earlier poster, the absolute best thing anyone can do is read and study the Bible (Ro 10:17) while praying for forgiveness, understanding and wisdom. God's spirit witnesses with ours and we find him in His word and then in our heart. Don't need any outside institution or instruction.

A christians job is to constantly evaluate his understanding to make sure it agrees with everything in the bible (Gal 6:4, I Thess 5:17) so he is not led astray (Matt24:24) and bring the word to an unsaved world (Mark 16:15).

As we read and God increases our understanding we should have a strong inner desire to spend even more time in his word (Ps 1:2, Matt5:6) and become more obedient to scripture, this how we can know we truly love him (I John 2:3).

And why is this website so annoyingly slow like never before?

Don't know. Thought it was my system.

God Bless,