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Francis Chan Warns Against Those Who Cause Division in the Church

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sermonindex

Over 3 years ago, God started to speak to me deeply on the great sin of division, slander, and gossip in the body of Christ. God started to have me in situations where great hurt was being done and I saw first hand the way the enemy used these tactics to destroy and hurt the testimony of Jesus Christ in others lives. One of many devotional articles I wrote during that time was called: God's Church Is Sacred In This Earth. The premise of the devotion was a warning that when we speak against the body of Christ we speak against God's Sacred Church of whom we are all a part.

Recently, God spoke to Francis Chan on that exact same verse (1 Corinthians 3:17) to give us a loving warning to the body of Christ against division.

Here is a recent statement Francis made in regards to people who divide and leave Church fellowship:

"There is this terrifying verse in 1 Timothy where Paul talked about two men who rejected the faith. Paul said that he had handed them over to Satan, by which he meant that he’d put them outside of the church (1:20). Basically, these men were actively opposing the works of God, so rather than pretending everything was fine, Paul removed them from the safety and blessings of the fellowship of believers. He was hoping that the misery of being separated from the church would lead them to repent. Are you catching the weight of this? Paul equated removal from the church with being handed over to Satan! It is crazy to me that we live in a time when people are voluntarily doing this to themselves! No church has placed them outside of the fellowship; instead, they’ve handed themselves over to Satan!"

What a sobering thought that those in our day in North America being critical of so much that is called Christian are doing to themselves what Paul the Apostle had to recommend Timothy to do to others as a last resort to have them repent of their pride and sins.

We are living in a day where we are judging others and not ourselves. We are finding it easy to be critical of everything but our own sins we ourselves struggle with.

Francis again shares on how God wants to send real unity to the body of Christ:

"Real love, unity and blessing were supposed to be found in the church. Many are having a hard time finding that, so they’re setting off on their own. Jesus said that the world would see the supernatural unity and love we share in the church and believe in Him through that. But we’re not experiencing it. We’ve given up on it. We no longer believe it is possible."

Perhaps we can start to change our minds and start looking towards others with seeing their good and not bad, speaking blessings over others and not curses. Remember we are fitted together in a temple of God with all saints of all ages. And Francis gives the example of someone taking a sledgehammer to this temple. What a fearful thing to do, of course we would depart from such an individual for fear of what God Himself would do to him. As the Scripture says, "Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them" (Titus 3:10).

You can watch the full video message by Francis Chan, "Are You Destroying The Church" where he gives this loving warning against division in the Church: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJph3Z6cfxM

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AbideinHim

Amen! We need to get serious about John 17, praying for unity in the Church, forgiving others as Christ has forgiven us, and walking in love.

Does God view gossip, slander and division in the Church any less of a sin than immorality?

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sermonindex

Does God view gossip, slander and division in the Church any less of a sin than immorality?

Great thought. Francis Chan in the video alludes to the thought that God actually is more strict over division than other sins.

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DEADn

Francis Chan is aligning himself with people from the NAR who speak false things and promote people to shake while proclaiming it is the Holy Spirit moving. I don't know why Francis has done that but I would warn everyone 'buyer beware' that you are not seduced into the grouping that Francis Chan is embracing.

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DEADn

I listened to Francis sermon. It began great but then I sense a slow gentle turning. Francis goes on to name some preachers who he respects and in his sermon he seems to be rebuke anyone who would cause division because of them but these preachers he names are actually preaching heretical thing.

I like Francis but I don't like it when he preaches something like this where he upholds people preaching falsehoods and if you confront that falsehood then you are guilty of division. That is how a cult is gently created.

Francis is allowing himself to be caught up in a web of deceit and I hate to see it.

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sermonindex

John writes........

"I like Francis but I don't like it when he preaches something like this where he upholds people preaching falsehoods and if you confront that falsehood then you are guilty of division. That is how a cult is gently created."

This is spot on..............bro Frank

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Gloryandgrace


True believers hate division and they hate gossip and slander. Yet true believers are at times guilty of all of it.

The Church is comprised of the children of the light, they walk in the light and become lights to others. Those outside are of the darkness and they walk in darkness and present darkness to others.

The division between these two kinds of people is already made by God himself.

Yet, God has not appointed any tare-rippers to pull up the tares that grow among the wheat-of-God.
To point out what consist of a weed-believer is every spiritual leaders job. To judge the weeds whereby they are rounded up, cast out and executed is a job given to the angels of God, not the wheat-of-God.

The Church's responsibility is to guard the sheep, to do that there must be discerning, judgments, corrections, warnings and rebukes. This responsibility is not limited to pastors, in fact it can be said that wayward sheep are so by way of other sheep saying and doing nothing to resist their straying hearts. The love of God is not sentimental, squishy, politically correct, or absent of harsh words.

If the love of God is understood as a love that genuinely cares for those whom are loved, those whom are loved would be treated as Christ treats us.

When I hear sermons directed at correcting 'divisions, gossip, slanders, strife and that sermon is corrective, contains the judgment of God, contains warnings and direction for repentance, am I to assume that the corrective is divisive? Am I to assume the warning or rebuke is strife and mean-spirited? So, if I judge the correction as divisive, when and where can I be corrected? If God's beloved ministers cannot offer a correction as the Spirit of God leads with that same minister being accused of doing what he condemns...just what constitutes a genuine corrective and warning?

Singular sermons that deal with errors that arise among God's people do not contain all that needs to be said on the subject, but in fact contain what needs to be said to those individuals/groups that will open their hearts to listen to the Spirit of God.

If Francis is really trying to issue warnings to the Church at large that they shouldn't judge Bethel or NAR or whoever because Francis is personally motivated to protect a preferred group of his own...then Francis could be reproved, but until that is actually proven, it is wiser to judge the sermon on its own merits and obey what you know is of God.

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DEADn

{quote]
If Francis is really trying to issue warnings to the Church at large that they shouldn't judge Bethel or NAR or whoever because Francis is personally motivated to protect a preferred group of his own...then Francis could be reproved, but until that is actually proven, it is wiser to judge the sermon on its own merits and obey what you know is of God.

[/quote}

This is what I did. I judged this sermon on its own merit. Francis names people in his sermon as great ministers but if you take each one of them and evaluate their doctrine they do not preach the Gospel but he admonishes them as if they are brothers in Jesus. This is my point and it is very dangerous and borderline heretical.

I think Francis said what he said because he knows those who named are under scrutiny and he is looking to bring everyone together but how do you do that without rebuke to false doctrine?

Follow Francis Chan in the future and see what he says and he would fellowship with. Evaluate their doctrine and then ask yourself if rebuke is in order or we should remain silent against what he has said in his sermon.

He didn't rebuke anyone except those apparently causing divisions because he was preaching that sermon in a church that has been rebuked. To me he is wanted to unrebuke it if that is a word.

Francis is not a false teacher but if he hangs out with them how long before his message is subtly replaced by something false?

Let's hope that never happens. Pray for someone to confront him on these things.

John

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sermonindex

" it is wiser to judge the sermon on its own merits and obey what you know is of God."

That is exactly what happened, people judged his words because he named names. He named specific names that were not to be judged and if they were, those who judged them were in danger of being killed by God........bro Frank

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CofG

Again, irony abounds in this common theme going through recent threads, posts and responses. Someone claims that too high a percentage in the broader church ( not all ) in the West are engaged in unhealthy systemic sin or they assert that the doctrines being taught by an individual or group of churches are false and hurtful, then they are called accusers, slanderers, gossipers, or destroyers of the temple of God. That will certainly quickly shut down consideration and prayer of whether God is speaking. However, in the very act of making those comeback statements, those making them are doing the very thing they claim the others shouldn't be doing. So, if someone asserts that something is very wrong in the broader church system, that God is displeased and that He has led them to believe that there will be a corporate, temporal, corrective and loving judgement, then they are labeled a co-worker with Satan and destroyer and couldn't have heard from the Lord because He loves His children too much and would never do such a negative thing and those who would say otherwise are laboring with Satan in destroying the church. In their very comeback, however, they are then theoretically destroying God's temple themselves in their counter accusing of brothers. Its all so circular. Besides that, there is way too much counter argument from OT and NT for that response that He would "scourge" His children for that position to stand long.

What I perceive in this is far too much opinion and predisposition to seeing God a certain way or perserving personal preferences and traditions and too little Scripture or words from the Lord. Is it not possible that those who exhort and rebuke in love of the Body may possibly be led by God or have many become so worried about unity that they have lost a love for the whole counsel of God. Unity can certainly be achieved if we label those we disagree with as co workers of Satan. That will get every one in line. It is not disunifying, slander, or gossip to rebuke in love if God has directed it. That's the ultimate question then. Has God directed it.

Building up the Body of Jesus includes by definition removing that which destroys, renders unhealthy or weakens her. Building up the Body is more than positive reinforcement. There are seasons, people and churches that require comforting, and strengthening of weak hands and knees when they have been dealt serious blows by the enemy. Then there are also times and situations that require loving but clear diagnosis, warnings and often painful surgery in order to bring about health and life by unrepentant self inflicted behaviors and beliefs. The only question is what is the need of the time and the Body and what does the Lord say?

I don't think any of you know me or what I do which is better because hopefully the only issue will not be the messenger but the message. I think there is a long history on this site of trying to avoid winning disagreements by trumping each other with spiritual resumes or quotes from other well known pastors. What does the Lord say? In much love to Jesus, the Family and each of you who have spoken into this rather "sharp disagreement". Thankful for all.

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AbideinHim


Whenever we as believers encounter false teaching,
we should never fear bringing correction, however it needs to be done in the right spirit.

I have seen way too many accusations and many of them are false against true brothers in the Lord. There is a vast difference between a false teacher and someone that is a true brother, but is wrong on some area of doctrine.

There is not one among us that has never missed it on issues of doctrine. I would much rather err on the side of mercy than to falsely accuse a true minister of Jesus Christ and bring further division to the Body of Christ.

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sermonindex


Well said brother.

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DEADn


Whenever we as believers encounter false teaching,
we should never fear bringing correction, however it needs to be done in the right spirit.

I have seen way too many accusations and many of them are false against true brothers in the Lord. There is a vast difference between a false teacher and someone that is a true brother, but is wrong on some area of doctrine.

There is not one among us that has never missed it on issues of doctrine. I would much rather err on the side of mercy than to falsely accuse a true minister of Jesus Christ and bring further division to the Body of Christ.

You are diverting the conversation with this post by saying you have seen too many accusations that are false against true brothers in the Lord................can you affirm that those that Francis mentions in this message true brothers in the Lord? They preach a different Gospel and it is a me center message along with one that includes mysticism. To whitewash it is to accept deception. Don't go there. Stand up for what it right and call out that which is wrong and don't make excuses. it is very easy to do when we like certain preachers. I like Francis but if he is doing down this road I have to call him out as a Christian.

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crusader

* "Try every spirit"

* "You will know them by their fruit"

* "be not unequally yoked"

* "Light cannot live with Darkness"

These are the urgent calling's I hear from the Spirit of God concerning this age. Ministries that are making money of the Gospel in song and teachings. Shepards that are allowing the congregation to be influenced from doctrines of devils and allowing false signs and wonders to build up attendence. That are becoming friends to false dotrinal teachings and beliefs.

My brothers and sisters in Christ are not formed because we enter the same building made from dirt! My Brothers and Sisters are those that do the will of our Father and have denied themselves and let thy kingdom come on earth. When a Preacher teaches from the pulpit, its not his skill to teach or his ability to reason and persuade my thinking, it is the power of the holy spirit bringing fourth the truth of the word into my spirit to renew my mind and edify my spirit in the truth of Christ.

I see an unholy union today being pushed onto the pulpit, The talented salesman and the compromiser. Each one tickles the ears and plays the emotions like a harp to get what they want.

How do we respond as Gods ambassidors on earth? do we just say be in peace and walk past as millions die through lack of knowledge? Or is that God has sent a strong delusion to those that are seeking for there own will and not his?

It is my prayer that Gods will be done on earth as it is in heaven. That God can use us for his light in a darkening world, that we are the salt of the earth. I don't judge these preachers as we all can fall with out the Mercy of God over our eyes but i judge the works of Satan that oppress Gods people and make a mockery of Christ name before the heathens. I pray against the greed and selfish spirits behind many of these preachers and if that means that God has to hashly chastise those who have fallen away from his will then so be it. We all must die to our flesh nature and drink of the same cup as those that are baptised in Christ.

God Bless


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sermonindex

Yes brother Chan in his message is not saying to not use discernment he is rather speaking against publically slandering and speaking against others even if they are partially wrong.

There is a place to name false apostles or false teachers, it must are done very wisely and I would say would be the place of authority in the Church such as apostles to do, to warn saints.

The public blogging or re-posting of blogs on Facebook against false teachers is not constructive but rather its slander even if the person is wrong the way they are mocked and ridiculed by the "righteous" is actually sin and Chan is encouraging people to stay away from such things. God in the end is the judge and arbiter.

Let us try and apply wisdom and learn from what Francis Chan is warning about, I believe in America we can all improve in this area, as popular Christian media has given the example of what essentially "not" to do.

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sermonindex

John writes........

"Stand up for what it right and call out that which is wrong and don't make excuses. it is very easy to do when we like certain preachers. I like Francis but if he is doing down this road I have to call him out as a Christian."

Greg and Chan will not do this. Ask Greg to call out the men that Chan used as examples and he will not. There are men who think they are leaders in the Body of Christ and desperately want a seat at the table, they will only have it in their own minds. People who are wannabe leaders will not call out anyone lest they be rejected by the men they want to associate with. They will then wrap it up in pious tones........bro Frank

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sermonindex

Frank,

Sorry to burst your bubble but I have had a few of Mick Bickle's sermons on SI for over 2 years: https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/viewcat.php?cid=1242

Though I do not endorse all of his ministry or emphasis. I can at least agree and applaud some of their emphasis and ministry they are doing unto the Lord.

Also for over 4 years I have had this as part of the Community Guidelines for SermonIndex:

7. SLANDERING OTHERS - We have a zero tolerance on slander, evil-speaking and speaking against a person's character without warrant. 'Slander no one.' / 'to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.' NASB (Titus 3:2). This is a very important biblical principle and we ask that you would especially respect the biblical method of approaching a brother privately (Matthew 18:15). Also there are hundreds of websites in the internet that exclusively post wrong teachings, errors and question the character of Christians, we do not want SermonIndex to be seen as such a ministry and ask that all forum members do not participate in posting in what is wrong. We believe simply that truth dispels errors and to focus on the truth will shine a light into all the darkness.
https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=44556&forum=13


May God give you peace.

M
makrothumia

There is a danger in this manner of public airing of differences. We may be right in nearly every thing we write, but the more we write, the more vulnerable we are to "miss the mark" - even if the error is only a "little leaven."

My spirit discerns a little leaven in these threads. I will not allow that leaven to cast aside the valid concerns being expressed, but it is unfortunate when thoughts that should have been taken captive and kept to ourselves, are allowed to move our fingers to type and post.

Otherwise valid concerns can be corrupted by personal feelings that have been allowed to leaven our heart toward other brothers with whom we are exhorted to have "unhypocritical love".

mak

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sermonindex

Matthew Henry writes, in regard to Ananaias and Sapphira, the topic Francis Chan spoke on..........

"The chapter begins with a melancholy but, which puts a stop to the pleasant and agreeable prospect of things which we had in the foregoing chapters; as every man, so every church, in its best state has its but. 1. The disciples were very holy, and heavenly, and seemed to be all exceedingly good; but there were hypocrites among them, whose hearts were not right in the sight of God, who, when they were baptized, and took upon them the form of godliness, denied the power of godliness( not baptized in the Holy Spirit) and stopped short of that. There is a mixture of bad with good in the best societies on this side heaven; tares will grow among the wheat until the harvest. 2. I. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira his wife. That they were ambitious of being thought eminent disciples, and of the first rank, when really they were not true disciples; they would pass for some of the most fruitful trees in Christ's vineyard, when really the root of the matter was not found in them.Note, It is possible that hypocrites may deny themselves in one thing, but then it is to serve themselves in another; they may forego their secular advantage in one instance, with a prospect of finding their account in something else. Ananias and Sapphira would take upon them a profession of Christianity, and make a fair show in the flesh with it, and so would mock God.

But we read , to lie unto the Holy Ghost, which reading is found in Act_5:4, Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. [1.] Ananias told a lie, a deliberate lie, and with a purpose to deceive; he told Peter that he had sold a possession (house or lands) and this was the purchase-money. Perhaps he expressed himself in words that were capable of a double meaning, used some equivocations about it, which he thought might palliate the matter a little, and save him from the guilt of a downright lie: or perhaps he said nothing; but it was all one, he did as the rest did who brought the whole price, and would be thought to do so, and expected the praise those had that did so, and the same privilege and access to the common stock as they had. It was an implicit protestation that he brought the whole price, as they did; and this was a lie, for he kept back part. Note, Many are brought to gross lying by reigning pride, and affectation of the applause of men, particularly in works of charity to the poor."

I think his last line is so powerful "Many are brought to gross lying by reigning pride and affection of the applause of men." As for Francis Chan, I have for the most part always enjoyed the little I have heard from him. I do not count him as some kind of heretic, just a man like any other who was in deep and dangerous error in this particular case. The notion that this public error could not be challenged is a dangerous one and a controlling one.........bro Frank

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Oracio

While I did not agree with every single point of interpretation and application in the message, overall I thought it was a great and much needed exhortation for us. In the past I have been way too quick to publicly put down certain preachers with whom I disagree on non-salvific issues, and this message was convicting for me in this regard, much appreciated. This scripture comes to mind:

"So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."-James 1:19-20

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AbideinHim

Due to the criticism by some of the The teaching by Francis Chan I listened to the teaching a second time. Was I missing something? Was Francis Chan saying not to judge error and false teaching in the church?

I found the teaching to be sound and there are many scriptures that confirm what Francis is saying. He definetly has a burden for believers to be in unity, and it is true that accusations of the brethren to other members of the Body whether they are true or not brings division into the Body.

I did not hear Francis say not to judge and correct error in the church. What he did say is that we should go to our brother in private to bring correction. Perhaps Francis Chan should have said more about dealing with error in the Church. The Word of God has clear instructions on dealing with a brother that has sinned or is in error.

Again, our brother is not addressing false teachers but true brothers that we may disagree with or have doctrinal differences with.

"For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, this one is a perfect man, able indeed to bridle the whole body.”
(James 3:2)

T
TMK

//I did not hear Francis say not to judge and correct error in the church. What he did say is that we should go to our brother in private to bring correction.//

I hear this all the time, but does anyone ever do it? For example, if Francis Chan believes certain aspects of Bethel Church are in error, has he sought to meet with Bill J in private? What if Bill J does not want to meet with him in private?

Does just anyone have the "right" to meet privately with a pastor whom they believe is teaching error? If not, who does? Certainly it would be best if it was someone who has a relationship with the person, not a stranger off the street.

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sermonindex

My problem is not with Chan, it is what he shared. He mentioned four people by name as examples of the Temple and when you criticized them you were taking a hammer to the Temple and that the only reason you were not dead yet fro doing it, according to Chan, and he said this was a word from the Lord, was because you had not been warned. I guess this was the warning. The four names were Mike Bickle, Rick Warren, Mark Driscoll and John Piper. So, if you criticize them God will kill you once you have been warned. This is the part I have a major problem with. But if folks agree that these men are above being questioned and if you question them God will kill you once you have been warned, I would just disagree completely...........bro Frank

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AbideinHim

"So, if you criticize them God will kill you once you have been warned. "

Brother Frank,
If that were the case then all of our gooses would be cooked.
If any minister is leading the sheep astray through erroneous teaching then it should be addressed, and a false teacher or prophet should be called out by name.

O
Oracio

I believe there's a big difference between a false teacher and a brother who may be misled in certain areas of "non-salvific" doctrine or theology.

A false teacher is one who teaches damnable heresies. When it comes to that type of person, believers should definitely be warned concerning them. Even then, we must be careful with our words and not be rash in our speech. And we must be led of the Spirit in terms of when and how to warn others regarding such false teachings. And our ministries should not just be about warning others regarding false teachers and their teachings lest we become imbalanced.

On the other hand, if certain brothers are teaching things with which we disagree, things that are not damnable heresies, we can respectfully discuss our disagreements in the right spirit. I believe Chan is warning his hearers concerning slandering certain brothers and calling them false teachers for no justifiable reason.

Also, it appears that Chan is specifically addressing the congregation in the video on account of certain types of gossip and slander that had taken place among them.

Sure, I would have loved it if Chan would have also taught more about when and how to address false teachers and their teachings, so that the message would have been more balanced. But if there is a pressing need in a particular congregation, I can understand why there may be a certain emphasis that addresses the need of the hour. Many pastors sometimes emphasize certain truths when they sense there is a certain need for hearing those truths thundered out more.

Regarding the names he mentioned, I believe that in the past I have wrongly criticized Mark Driscoll and Rick Warren publicly; I don't know anything about Mike Bickle's teachings other than the fact that he's associated with NAR. As far as John Piper is concerned, although I disagree with some of his theology I would not call him a false teacher or anything like that.

I know of one particular YouTube channel of which the creator's aim is to constantly "expose" certain preachers such as John Piper, John MacArthur, Greg Laurie, NAR preachers, etc. etc. He seeks to lump them all as false teachers to be avoided at all costs; he also seeks to "expose" the so-called "Institutional Church System" as a false harlot system. I believe his is a sad case of extremism and in some ways I can see myself in him in the past.

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AbideinHim


"I believe there's a big difference between a false teacher and a brother who may be misled in certain areas of "non-salvific" doctrine or theology. "

Amen! In agreement brother!

I have seen many good brothers labeled as being false teachers and prophets by heresy hunters. They were literally ripping up the wheat with the chaff.

Sent from my iPhone

D
docs

No need to get as personal and disrespectful as some of this discussion got toward others in some places. If false teachers etc. need calling out so does this in my opinion.

Bless everyone as this year begins to wane. God ain't through with any of us yet starting with me.

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sermonindex

""So, if you criticize them God will kill you once you have been warned."

You do realize Mike that it was Chan who said that, not me.............bro Frank

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AbideinHim


"You do realize Mike that it was Chan who said that, not me”

Amen Brother Frank!

I have been critical of true brothers and sisters in the past, and grateful that I haven’t had to dodge any lightning bolts.

His mercy endures forever!

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sermonindex

"His mercy endures forever!"

Indeed it does brother, for those who are broken and contrite dwell with the most high, and He resists the proud........bro Frank

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sermonindex


We do not want to minimize what Francis Chan is saying that to be critical and judgemental of others in the body of Christ is a sin and it causes God to withdraw as it is the proud that judge others.

Towards his naming of 4 people this is up to each person who feels where to draw the line of a heretic or rather a brother who does not have perfect doctrine or practices we prefer.

According to the Scriptures all 4 men that Francis Chan mentions in my mind are not heretics. They have practices we might not agree with or even teachings but on the core fundamentals of the faith we can agree with them.

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AbideinHim

"We do not want to minimize what Francis Chan is saying that to be critical and judgemental of others in the body of Christ is a sin and it causes God to withdraw as it is the proud that judge others."

Amen!

Also, we can get in trouble by going to extremes on any teaching, and that would be to throw all discernment out the window.

We are not to judge out of the flesh but to judge with righteous judgement.

We need the whole council of the Word of God.

S
sermonindex

At least two of these men embrace the Catholic Pope, Francis, as a brother in Christ and accept Catholicism as another branch of Christianity. Do you agree with them Greg?.......bro Frank

C
crusader

Hi All

There are many men of God who have made a few mistakes from the pulpit but grace covers it and I believe that God allows this because people start to make the preacher and idol. We are blessed when we hear the word from Godly preachers but we are blessed more when we take what they say and allow the holy spirit to reveal the same word to us personally.

The growing number of christians that do not do this is saddening as they allow any doctrine into their hearts just because this preacher said this or that preacher said that.

I agree that some christians are just religious and are unable to discern the difference and act clearly on a pharasee agenda and there needs to be caution around this but we are also are in the last days and the deception is bigger now then it has ever been. We need to encourage each other and new christians on how to study the word for them selves, how to check what people try to say into our lives.

I have the freedom to speak and test the word as this word is my Lord and Saviour and reigns in my heart. I test everything against that as I have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, I know the will of my Father. If somebody says something that is not the same as what I know and experience personally then i refuse it entry through the gates of my heart. The biggest issue today is the compromise of Gods word to apease the Crowds.


Always God our Father glorified above all things, in Jesus Name

S
StirItUp

A couple of important questions are raised by this thread, following on Francis Chan’s sermon.
In my opinion, it can be traced back to the question:
What is the true nature of the church?

Some more questions:
Who is the authority in the church?
How is this authority exercised? (In the absence of the first apostles)
What is division in the church? Who are those who cause division and when is it illegitimate?
What is sacred as far as the church is concerned?
Is it a group of people gathered, with a charismatic leader, purporting to be the church?
Or is it first and foremost, the scriptures and the revelation of the scriptures which is sacred?and a group of believers seeking to worship according to these scriptures and obey them?
When can we judge what is going on in the church?
Who can judge? (Discern, examine, test)
Are the spiritually mature not called and equipped to judge what goes on in God’s church?
Not outsiders but those calling themselves believers?

Will we not one day judge angels?

D
deltadom

I wanted to give a full response to this post in a loving manner as the burning head of the ecumenical movement raises it ugly heads
As I am reading Francis chans book I will quote what passages he takes out of context to make his arguments as I was quite upset but as Francis Chan does not define what he means by the church in his book I cannot give a suitable answer.

What upsets me as there are lots of movements today which calls themselves the church which put themselves out of the historic Christian faith .

Jeremiah had very few saved when he was preaching during the time of the 7th century , the first church buildings are only 3rd century .

Seeing denomations support antibiblical things from homosexually such as the church of England to the urc church or anti biblical things that go not only against the bible but historic Christian thinking.

The aspect of most of modern biblcal denomations uniting with catholics and forming group such as the world church and Lausanne.

We do have a real church but we also have a anti Christ church which the anti Christ will come out of and to equate one with the other is in my mind crazy.

Christ does have a true bride but there is also a harlot in revelation .

I can think and feel what I like I can come up and dream the fact that hell does not exist or that pink elephants come from nowhere

Biblical truth should be our standard , Noah stood up in his day and so did Martin Luther .

Only God knows who his true bride is and what breaks my heart is when Christians forgot the blood that has been spilled by martyrs to give them the bible they have now and the fact to split themselves from organisations like the Catholic church or people like athenius who got exiled so we could believe in doctrines such as the deity of the lord jesus.

The church has been saved in blood born martyrs who stood up for doctrines , now we have Christians who curtail to every fad.

Christianity is dying not due to the fact that less people are going to church but to the fact that most don't know the bible they do not have the courage to read the blood soaked pages .

All the church is not the church

D
deltadom

In Francis Chan s book letters to the church he writes this

When Paul explained the mystery to the Corinthians, he added a terrifying warning. "Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple


Think back to the scene in 2 Chronicles 7. When the fire came down and God’s glory filled the temple, would you have considered taking a sledgehammer and striking the temple? Of course not! Then why are we so quick to gossip, slander leadership, and divide the Church? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person.

I want to know how he has taken this verse out of context
1 Corinthians 3
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. note

14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. note

18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's

Paul refers to the temple as in the singular and not in the plural

2 Corinthians 6

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Compare)

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

In 2 Corinthians he makes it clear that when he talks about the temple of God he is referring to things like sexual immorality destroying are bodies

Francis Chan takes the verse completely out of context and uses it for his agenda.

Why is God so harsh about this? Paul explained that God’s temple is sacred, and we””collectively””are that temple. Every time you speak evil about a member of the Church, it is like taking a sledgehammer to the temple. Are you sure you want to keep doing that?

Francis Chan letters to the church

The passage is in the singular and not in the plural as you have other verses actually in Corinthians that counteract this


1 Corinthians 6
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?

2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

It is so sad

One of the saddest passages in the book is this one

I was bothered the first time I read about God killing Uzzah just because he tried to keep the ark of the covenant from falling. Uzzah touched the ark because the cart it was riding on hit a pothole (2 Sam. 6). It seemed like a trivial mistake with good intentions. Sure, God had forbidden anyone from touching the ark, but what was Uzzah supposed to do? Let the holy ark of God fall to the ground? Isn’t it a little puzzling that King Saul’s sacrifice cost him the kingdom (1 Sam. 13)? After all, he waited seven days for Samuel the priest to come and make the offering, but he didn’t show up when he said he would. To me, it seems noble that Saul offered the sacrifice because he didn’t want to go to war without first acknowledging God. Now the kingdom would be torn from him? Or what about Moses, who didn’t get to see the Promised Land because he struck the rock rather than speaking to it (Num. 20)? After

everything Moses went through, was it such a big crime to be frustrated with the people and strike the rock in anger? Then there are Ananias and Sapphira. They were both struck dead because they lied about how much money they donated to the church (Acts 5). And this is in the New Testament! Really, who hasn’t exaggerated? To top it off, Paul told the Corinthians that many of them were sick and some had even died because they celebrated Communion in an unworthy manner (1 Cor. 11:30). If Paul wasn’t exaggerating, could we be one sip away from death? To us, many situations in Scripture involve a punishment that was too severe for the crime. But why do we feel this way? We don’t understand what it means for something to be "sacred.” We live in a human-centered world among people who see themselves as the highest authority. We are quick to say things like "That isn’t fair!” because we believe we deserve certain rights as humans. Yet we give little thought to the rights God deserves as God. Even in the Church we can act as though God’s actions should revolve around us. The stories in Scripture are meant to show us that there exists something of greater value than our existence

If you understand the contexts of these passages

2 Samuel 6

6 And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. note (Compare)

7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God. note

8 And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day. note note

9 And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?

10 So David would not remove the ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.

11 And the ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obededom, and all his household.

12 And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obededom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God. So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obededom into the city of David with gladness.

13 And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.

14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet

Num 7:9 But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders

In numbers it details how the ark should be carried and who should carry it. God lays down how the ark the ark should be carried uzzah is only one who dies early on in 1 Samuel

1Sa 6:19 And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter

God killed 50,000 people in Beth shemesh for opening the ark.

I do not understand Francis Chan point as he clearly does not understand the passages he is quoting but to me it is half the problem.

It is half the problem if he had read the passages that we cannot do what we think it is right in our own eyes and to obey God is more important as we have a bible.

In this passage I can see how he does not understand what he is talking about.

It is always doing things are way versus doing things god's way and this is half the problem of the book

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