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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/5/2008 8:48:17 PM
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rgod
Posts: 1475
Joined: 4/25/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Focusing
Is it a bad thing that there are baby Christians? Ones that are seeking to be fed? Ones that are looking for a good source of food that not only feeds him but also teaches him how to feed himself in the future?
Every believer starts as a baby and goes through a process before becoming a mature Christian.
I don't think so Focusing. (I know this question is rhetorical). I think even as an adult, there are times when it is good to be fed. I feel so blessed to be at a church where every Sunday I hear something that challenges me - makes me look at the Word differently, see God in a deeper way, and most importantly - convicts me of sin without making me feel condemned. But, the goal - as you've implied, is that eventually, believers should grow in maturity and be able to help someone else along.
_____________________________
Please take my news poll: http://forums.crosswalk.com/Current+Events/m_3896304/mpage_1/tm.htm#3897243
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/5/2008 9:30:58 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1843
Status: offline
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Absolutely, rgod and focusing. You're right on!
Yes, draw near to God and He will draw near to you. But I would feed you with the finest of the wheat; and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you. Psalm 81:16
O how I love Thy law!
It is my meditation all the day.
Thy commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
For they are ever mine.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
For Thy testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged,
Because I have observed Thy precepts.
I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
That I may keep Thy word.
I have not turned aside from Thine ordinances,
For Thou Thyself hast taught me.
How sweet are Thy words to my taste!
Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
From Thy precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way. Psalm 119:97-104
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/6/2008 2:05:23 AM
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RJR_fan
Posts: 712
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: RTP, in sunny NC USA
Status: offline
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quote:
Is it a bad thing that there are baby Christians? Ones that are seeking to be fed? Ones that are looking for a good source of food that not only feeds him but also teaches him how to feed himself in the future?
Every believer starts as a baby and goes through a process before becoming a mature Christian.
More true than you may have realized.
quote:
Deu 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God [is] one LORD:
Deu 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Deu 6:6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
Deu 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Parents have the primary obligation to 'feed' the babies -- their own babies -- with God's Word throughout the day, in the course of all its activities. That reminds me -- I need to find some way to resume our tour through the WSC. The girls already cycled through once, memorizing the answers, and partway through again, writing little essays. The demands of life make it easy to neglect this parental duty, but the consequences of neglect are terrifying.
_____________________________
The future has never been shaped by majorities but rather by dedicated minorities. And free men do not wait for the future; they create it. RJR
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/6/2008 9:43:26 AM
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growingseed
Posts: 157
Joined: 5/24/2005
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There are alot of ways that we can use to understand about our source of spiritual food or how we are to allow the spirit to provide this spiritual food to use. But Jesus teaches that we can do NOTHING apart from him. What does that really mean, apart from him there is nothing that will feed his spirit in us. For some reason we fail to see that we are to thank the father for our daily bread. That means our source of food for the spirit is a daily meal(spiritual) and the truth is the light that brings us understanding of who we are and who he is in our lives. Make no mistake we are to feed off of every word that the Lord speaks to us DAILY.
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/6/2008 10:05:07 AM
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URForgiven
Posts: 1085
Joined: 3/22/2008
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Dancre
So where are you? In the high chair, demanding the pastor feed me!! feed me!! Feed me!!
At the kids' table or at the adults' table?
Are you saying that "mature" Christians no longer crave the truth? And that a pastor does not have the responsibility to feed God's sheep? Whether babes, adolescents or "mature"?
Does a teacher ever get to the point where they no longer need to be taught? Do we feed ourselves, or does the Holy Spirit feed us? And if He does, is He limited to just ourselves, or can He use whoever and whatever He so desires?
If anything, the more "mature" in Christ we become, the more we will crave to know Him, and the more we will need the rest of the body. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe even a pastor has a part in that body, and I believe a portion of his part is to feed it. Jesus Christ is the solid food we need. He is Truth. The "mature" will desire for and take truth from wherever they find it, for it is all Him.
If I am sitting through a sermon week after week, are you saying that if I am "mature" I should not be expecting to be fed, and beyond that, I should not even be desiring to be fed?
If so, I will just stay in my high chair drinking the meager milk of truth that is offered me. If being "mature" means I sit week after week only to have regurgitation spewed on me...then even milk is a step up from that.
...or perhaps I will simply crawl away.
If I ever get to the point where I do not crave to be fed, then stick a fork in me, cause I will be done (for).
Peace
_____________________________
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/6/2008 10:29:59 AM
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AboundinginHisGrace
Posts: 403
Joined: 4/28/2008
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quote:
ORIGINAL: URForgiven
quote:
ORIGINAL: Dancre
So where are you? In the high chair, demanding the pastor feed me!! feed me!! Feed me!!
At the kids' table or at the adults' table?
Are you saying that "mature" Christians no longer crave the truth? And that a pastor does not have the responsibility to feed God's sheep? Whether babes, adolescents or "mature"?
Does a teacher ever get to the point where they no longer need to be taught? Do we feed ourselves, or does the Holy Spirit feed us? And if He does, is He limited to just ourselves, or can He use whoever and whatever He so desires?
If anything, the more "mature" in Christ we become, the more we will crave to know Him, and the more we will need the rest of the body. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe even a pastor has a part in that body, and I believe a portion of his part is to feed it. Jesus Christ is the solid food we need. He is Truth. The "mature" will desire for and take truth from wherever they find it, for it is all Him.
If I am sitting through a sermon week after week, are you saying that if I am "mature" I should not be expecting to be fed, and beyond that, I should not even be desiring to be fed?
If so, I will just stay in my high chair drinking the meager milk of truth that is offered me. If being "mature" means I sit week after week only to have regurgitation spewed on me...then even milk is a step up from that.
...or perhaps I will simply crawl away.
If I ever get to the point where I do not crave to be fed, then stick a fork in me, cause I will be done (for).
Peace
I totally agree with this. I was thinking the exact samething. A lot of people are forgetting ,eventhough, we eat solid food we still need the food. We never stop needing other believers. Even a babe can teach us something. Why do you think certain people have different spiritual gifts. Because, we are designed to be a Body and a body works together. If your back itches your arm and hand scratch it. If your eyes see something your legs take you to it. We act as one body in fellowship, we never stop needing other believers. To say that we stop needing other believers is contrary to God's Word.
_____________________________
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/6/2008 4:37:46 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1843
Status: offline
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quote:
Are you saying that "mature" Christians no longer crave the truth? And that a pastor does not have the responsibility to feed God's sheep? Whether babes, adolescents or "mature"?
Does a teacher ever get to the point where they no longer need to be taught? Do we feed ourselves, or does the Holy Spirit feed us? And if He does, is He limited to just ourselves, or can He use whoever and whatever He so desires?
If anything, the more "mature" in Christ we become, the more we will crave to know Him, and the more we will need the rest of the body. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe even a pastor has a part in that body, and I believe a portion of his part is to feed it. Jesus Christ is the solid food we need. He is Truth. The "mature" will desire for and take truth from wherever they find it, for it is all Him.
If I am sitting through a sermon week after week, are you saying that if I am "mature" I should not be expecting to be fed, and beyond that, I should not even be desiring to be fed?
If so, I will just stay in my high chair drinking the meager milk of truth that is offered me. If being "mature" means I sit week after week only to have regurgitation spewed on me...then even milk is a step up from that.
...or perhaps I will simply crawl away.
If I ever get to the point where I do not crave to be fed, then stick a fork in me, cause I will be done (for).
Thanks once again, URF, for expressing my thoughts.  You are soooo good at that.
You are absolutely right and it all comes down to Jesus. If we have His life, we will hunger and thirst for righteousness. And we will take sustenance as we find it.
But I think we are back to the original problem---the lack of Jesus in our midst. The church has moved beyond Him and has satisfied itself with routines and rituals and programs. . . and professionals. But Jesus has been left out. And not even missed.
The hungry will be fed. The babies will continue to scream. And Jesus is returning soon. Hallelujah!
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/6/2008 5:27:34 PM
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URForgiven
Posts: 1085
Joined: 3/22/2008
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Liveloved
quote:
Are you saying that "mature" Christians no longer crave the truth? And that a pastor does not have the responsibility to feed God's sheep? Whether babes, adolescents or "mature"?
Does a teacher ever get to the point where they no longer need to be taught? Do we feed ourselves, or does the Holy Spirit feed us? And if He does, is He limited to just ourselves, or can He use whoever and whatever He so desires?
If anything, the more "mature" in Christ we become, the more we will crave to know Him, and the more we will need the rest of the body. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe even a pastor has a part in that body, and I believe a portion of his part is to feed it. Jesus Christ is the solid food we need. He is Truth. The "mature" will desire for and take truth from wherever they find it, for it is all Him.
If I am sitting through a sermon week after week, are you saying that if I am "mature" I should not be expecting to be fed, and beyond that, I should not even be desiring to be fed?
If so, I will just stay in my high chair drinking the meager milk of truth that is offered me. If being "mature" means I sit week after week only to have regurgitation spewed on me...then even milk is a step up from that.
...or perhaps I will simply crawl away.
If I ever get to the point where I do not crave to be fed, then stick a fork in me, cause I will be done (for).
Thanks once again, URF, for expressing my thoughts. You are soooo good at that.
Well, that explains my headache. 
_____________________________
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/6/2008 6:35:12 PM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1843
Status: offline
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quote:
Well, that explains my headache.
Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize my thoughts were so painful. Well, on second thought. . .
My nickname is MissUnderstood.
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/6/2008 9:00:47 PM
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Dancre
Posts: 1301
Joined: 4/12/2005
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Of course not!!! But when the baby remains a baby for 30 years, screaming feed me, feed me, feed me, then that's NOT ok.
kim
quote:
ORIGINAL: Focusing
Is it a bad thing that there are baby Christians? Ones that are seeking to be fed? Ones that are looking for a good source of food that not only feeds him but also teaches him how to feed himself in the future?
Every believer starts as a baby and goes through a process before becoming a mature Christian.
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/6/2008 9:37:32 PM
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Focusing
Posts: 6006
Status: offline
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If he is a baby for 30 years that tells me he has not been fed properly ... which would include being taught how to feed himself.
_____________________________
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/6/2008 9:41:24 PM
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Dancre
Posts: 1301
Joined: 4/12/2005
Status: offline
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quote:
Are you saying that "mature" Christians no longer crave the truth? And that a pastor does not have the responsibility to feed God's sheep? Whether babes, adolescents or "mature"?
Nope, never said that, you're reading into my post and twisting my words.
quote:
Does a teacher ever get to the point where they no longer need to be taught? Do we feed ourselves, or does the Holy Spirit feed us? And if He does, is He limited to just ourselves, or can He use whoever and whatever He so desires?
Nope, never said that either, Again you are twisting my words.
quote:
If anything, the more "mature" in Christ we become, the more we will crave to know Him, and the more we will need the rest of the body. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe even a pastor has a part in that body, and I believe a portion of his part is to feed it. Jesus Christ is the solid food we need. He is Truth. The "mature" will desire for and take truth from wherever they find it, for it is all Him.
Yes, we will crave him more and more. It's when you start demanding that the pastor meet your needs and you feel that he's not preaching what you thing he should be preaching or that you feel you have heard this over and over, so why hear it again? the baby demands all the attention from the pastor.
quote:
If I am sitting through a sermon week after week, are you saying that if I am "mature" I should not be expecting to be fed, and beyond that, I should not even be desiring to be fed?
If so, I will just stay in my high chair drinking the meager milk of truth that is offered me. If being "mature" means I sit week after week only to have regurgitation spewed on me...then even milk is a step up from that.
...or perhaps I will simply crawl away.
If I ever get to the point where I do not crave to be fed, then stick a fork in me, cause I will be done (for).
Peace
Nope, sorry, never said that. Again you are twisting, twistin, twisting my words. The baby demands that the pastor feeds them, needs to preach what they think they should preach and demands all their attention. The baby feels the pastor can never do anything right nor preach the 'right' stuff. They jump from church to church to church to church, never satisfied b/c the focus is only on themselves, not on others in the church, not on God, not the pastor. Take care of me, b/c I can't take of myself. Hey, if you want to run from church to church screaming feed only meeee!! Then go for it. Knock yourself out. But you might want to realize there are others around you who also need ministering to, not just you. I go to church to learn more about God and how He wants me to be. I go to church to be with God and with others who belief as I do, not for the pastor to take care of only me, me, me.
I suggest you go back and reread my post instead of making such outlandish accusations and twisting ALL my words.
kim
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/6/2008 9:46:59 PM
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Dancre
Posts: 1301
Joined: 4/12/2005
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oh, so now it's the pastor's fault?? Nope, sorry, that's not what Paul said in Hebrews 5:12-14. Please point out where Paul said if a person is a babe for 30 years, then it MUST be the fault of the pastor. Sorry, kiddo, that's not in God's word. Paul basically scolded his readers b/c they were still babes demanding milk. They were to be teachers, yet they still needed to be taught. He said "They are unskilled in righteousness."
quote:
ORIGINAL: Focusing
If he is a baby for 30 years that tells me he has not been fed properly ... which would include being taught how to feed himself.
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RE: Being Encouraged & Strengthened? - 10/6/2008 9:53:43 PM
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Teaching_The_Way
Posts: 58
Joined: 4/18/2006
From: Teaching The Way Ministries
Status: offline
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Hello Friend
First Off We are "Encouraged Not to Sin" by fearing God, like a child who fears his parents punishment on him if he does not do what is right.
As far as what you quoted about Grace, in Titus 2:11-12, that tells us how to live, but if we do not fear God we will not live righteous lives.
Both Scriptures go hand in hand. WE got to Fear and Love God first so that we WILL live righteous lives etc.
I line it up with the following scripture that Jesus said:
Matt 10:28-29
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. NKJV
And havient you heard that it is the beginning of wisdom is to fear God?
We should always fear and love God with every ounce of strength that we have.
Why should we fear God? Because if God wanted to he can send tornados at us, or earthquakes, or major fires like he did to California, or countless numbers of other disasters just to punish us for disobedience.
He can also send us to hell instead of heaven if he chose to do so as well.
Even Jesus said that he disciplines those that he loves. That discipline can be minor or major as well. God can even take away our children our spouses from us.
It would be foolish for people not to fear God and love him at the same time. Look what he did to Jericho, Saddam, and Gomorrah.
All through scriptures we are taught to fear God in the OT and the NT. In the NT it is written "workout your salvation in fear and trembling" (Phil 2:12)
And even Paul himself was with trembling and Fear as it is written; 1 Cor 2:3
3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling . NKJV
PS Friend, I never use just one or two scriptures and say thats what God meant. I go by many upon many scriptures to come up with the true answers of what God meant (Sysmatic Theology).
God Bless
_____________________________
http://teachingtheway.net/
If our opinions does not line up with
the scriptures, then our opinions are
dead wrong! Gods words are more important
than our opinions!
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/6/2008 9:55:12 PM
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Focusing
Posts: 6006
Status: offline
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quote:
The baby demands that the pastor feeds them, needs to preach what they think they should preach and demands all their attention.
Not necessarily. When I was a baby Christian I didn't make any of these demands. I went, devoured what was taught, and built my knowledge sermon by sermon. Many times the sermons preached were more than I understood, so I would discuss it with someone who could help me understand better ... a believing coworker, friend from church, Bible study partner, or I just prayed and read over the passage again.
_____________________________
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/6/2008 10:17:39 PM
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Dancre
Posts: 1301
Joined: 4/12/2005
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But you were growing up, maturing into a full grown christian. There's a difference between those who are newly saved and those who are just babes in Christ. When Paul talked about babes in christ, he meant those demanding milk, they were those who didn't want to grow up. They didn't know the word and didn't want to know the word. He says in 1 cor 3:2 that babes are very carnal. they like being controled by the flesh and they don't want to give it up. They don't want to be disciplined, they don't want to do things God's way, but their way. these are the babes in Christ who after 30 years, still scream feed me!! that's what he means in Hebrews when he talks about babes. That's what I mean when I say, feed me, feed me.
Yes, we should get proper teachings and be a blessing to others in the church. Yes, we should go to church to learn more about God. Yes, Jesus did say feed (or take care of) my sheep. But then you have some christians who don't want to hear about how God wants him to improve his walk with Christ, or God is disciplining him and he doesn't like it. He'd rather sit in his flesh and have it patted, that's not good. The babes in christ that paul talks about in his books are those who scream feed me, feed me all the time b/c the pastor just never preaches the 'right' stuff. They don't want to give up the flesh, they consume all the pastor's time, never taking his advice and sucking the life out of others. They jump from church to church to church to church b/c the pastor just doesn't teach the 'right' stuff. they are never satisfied, never happy, and never want to grow up in Christ. That's just wrong.
I question those who say, I'm not getting fed at my church or at churches in general. Not every pastor out there is bad and preaches poorly. Sometimes we just don't want to hear what the pastor is saying. We don't want to give up the flesh and its lusts. We don't want to grow up as paul had said. We don't want discipline. Feed me what I want, not what I need. That is wrong.
kim
Now it will be interesting to see how many tops blow from this post.
quote:
ORIGINAL: Focusing
quote:
The baby demands that the pastor feeds them, needs to preach what they think they should preach and demands all their attention.
Not necessarily. When I was a baby Christian I didn't make any of these demands. I went, devoured what was taught, and built my knowledge sermon by sermon. Many times the sermons preached were more than I understood, so I would discuss it with someone who could help me understand better ... a believing coworker, friend from church, Bible study partner, or I just prayed and read over the passage again.
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/6/2008 10:28:31 PM
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Focusing
Posts: 6006
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Dancre
But you were growing up, maturing into a full grown christian. There's a difference between those who are newly saved and those who are just babes in Christ. When Paul talked about babes in christ, he meant those demanding milk, they were those who didn't want to grow up. They didn't know the word and didn't want to know the word. He says in 1 cor 3:2 that babes are very carnal. they like being controled by the flesh and they don't want to give it up. They don't want to be disciplined, they don't want to do things God's way, but their way. these are the babes in Christ who after 30 years, still scream feed me!! that's what he means in Hebrews when he talks about babes. That's what I mean when I say, feed me, feed me.
No tops blowing Kim. When I read the word "babes" I take it to mean those who are baby Christians ... not how you described above those who refuse to learn.
HUGE difference. I had been reading the comments (from you, I don't know what others may have meant) as put-downs and discouragement for the babies in Christ. It's hard to find a mentor who can help the babies to grow and learn ... at least those of us who desire to.
Thank you for the clarification.
These babes you are talking about that refuse to learn ... yes, they are very frustrating. The ones I know like this are the ones who don't take notes and are incapable of discussing the sermon at lunch after the service.
_____________________________
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/6/2008 10:37:46 PM
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Dancre
Posts: 1301
Joined: 4/12/2005
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Sorry about not clarifying. My bad. What gets me is when you tell them over and over and over and over and over and over what to do and THEY DON'T GET IT!! ARG!! You just wish they'd go away. Sigh. . . . they just want to complain. Oi!!!
quote:
ORIGINAL: Focusing
quote:
ORIGINAL: Dancre
But you were growing up, maturing into a full grown christian. There's a difference between those who are newly saved and those who are just babes in Christ. When Paul talked about babes in christ, he meant those demanding milk, they were those who didn't want to grow up. They didn't know the word and didn't want to know the word. He says in 1 cor 3:2 that babes are very carnal. they like being controled by the flesh and they don't want to give it up. They don't want to be disciplined, they don't want to do things God's way, but their way. these are the babes in Christ who after 30 years, still scream feed me!! that's what he means in Hebrews when he talks about babes. That's what I mean when I say, feed me, feed me.
No tops blowing Kim. When I read the word "babes" I take it to mean those who are baby Christians ... not how you described above those who refuse to learn.
HUGE difference. I had been reading the comments (from you, I don't know what others may have meant) as put-downs and discouragement for the babies in Christ. It's hard to find a mentor who can help the babies to grow and learn ... at least those of us who desire to.
Thank you for the clarification.
These babes you are talking about that refuse to learn ... yes, they are very frustrating. The ones I know like this are the ones who don't take notes and are incapable of discussing the sermon at lunch after the service.
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RE: Being Encouraged & Strengthened? - 10/6/2008 10:53:54 PM
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URForgiven
Posts: 1085
Joined: 3/22/2008
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Teaching_The_Way
Hello Friend
First Off We are "Encouraged Not to Sin" by fearing God, like a child who fears his parents punishment on him if he does not do what is right.
As far as what you quoted about Grace, in Titus 2:11-12, that tells us how to live, but if we do not fear God we will not live righteous lives.
Both Scriptures go hand in hand. WE got to Fear and Love God first so that we WILL live righteous lives etc.
I line it up with the following scripture that Jesus said:
Matt 10:28-29
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. NKJV
And havient you heard that it is the beginning of wisdom is to fear God?
We should always fear and love God with every ounce of strength that we have.
Why should we fear God? Because if God wanted to he can send tornados at us, or earthquakes, or major fires like he did to California, or countless numbers of other disasters just to punish us for disobedience.
He can also send us to hell instead of heaven if he chose to do so as well.
Even Jesus said that he disciplines those that he loves. That discipline can be minor or major as well. God can even take away our children our spouses from us.
It would be foolish for people not to fear God and love him at the same time. Look what he did to Jericho, Saddam, and Gomorrah.
All through scriptures we are taught to fear God in the OT and the NT. In the NT it is written "workout your salvation in fear and trembling" (Phil 2:12)
And even Paul himself was with trembling and Fear as it is written; 1 Cor 2:3
3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling . NKJV
PS Friend, I never use just one or two scriptures and say thats what God meant. I go by many upon many scriptures to come up with the true answers of what God meant (Sysmatic Theology).
God Bless
Here's another couple of scriptures to add to your collection...
Romans 8:1
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
2 Corinthians 5:18-20
"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation."
If your motivation for not sinning is because you are afraid God is going to zap you, then I can see why you would fear Him. Just one more scripture, since I want to be systematic about it...
1 John 4:18-20
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
Peace
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"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3
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RE: Being Encouraged & Strengthened? - 10/7/2008 7:54:41 AM
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SonInMe1
Posts: 3430
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: my mom by God
Status: offline
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As we mature in the faith, church should not be a place where our needs are met...as much as it is a place where we can meet other's needs.
As we mature and begin to be other centered, what we need from the church is encouragement and guidence in how to serve.
As we mature from learning how to serve, to real service, then the service we do, in itself, feeds us. As we give selflessly, God gives to us. He feeds us and we are filled up with His living water so we might give His life to others...
and yes, most certainly that includes the pastor. He needs the mature believer to encourage him, to help him and to pray for him. Someone must be the pastor's accountability partner..and a mature christian is best for that.
I think the problem with wanting to be fed all the time is it keeps you in one place...in need....instead of being what Christ wants you to be...a help to someone else.
I don't know about everyone's church experience but mine has been...there are many more people who need help than those who give it. I think there is a reason for that. People want to get fed...and do not want to give.
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You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/7/2008 9:26:29 AM
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pstrdebi
Posts: 739
Joined: 4/28/2008
From: So. Oregon, by way of So. Cal.
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: rgod
quote:
ORIGINAL: Focusing
Is it a bad thing that there are baby Christians? Ones that are seeking to be fed? Ones that are looking for a good source of food that not only feeds him but also teaches him how to feed himself in the future?
Every believer starts as a baby and goes through a process before becoming a mature Christian.
I don't think so Focusing. (I know this question is rhetorical). I think even as an adult, there are times when it is good to be fed. I feel so blessed to be at a church where every Sunday I hear something that challenges me - makes me look at the Word differently, see God in a deeper way, and most importantly - convicts me of sin without making me feel condemned. But, the goal - as you've implied, is that eventually, believers should grow in maturity and be able to help someone else along.
Also... Jesus said "feed My sheep..." He would not have said it if He didn't intend for sheep to be fed or for pastors, teachers, etc... to feed.
When we decide to follow our own ideas and thoughts... to me, it's like slapping Jesus in the face or saying that what He directed isn't important.
_____________________________
"For in Him we live and move and have our being..." Acts 17:28a
http://www.therockfellowship.org
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/7/2008 9:37:53 AM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1843
Status: offline
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quote:
quote: SonInMe1
As we mature in the faith, church should not be a place where our needs are met...as much as it is a place where we can meet other's needs.
As we mature and begin to be other centered, what we need from the church is encouragement and guidence in how to serve.
As we mature from learning how to serve, to real service, then the service we do, in itself, feeds us. As we give selflessly, God gives to us. He feeds us and we are filled up with His living water so we might give His life to others...
and yes, most certainly that includes the pastor. He needs the mature believer to encourage him, to help him and to pray for him. Someone must be the pastor's accountability partner..and a mature christian is best for that.
I think the problem with wanting to be fed all the time is it keeps you in one place...in need....instead of being what Christ wants you to be...a help to someone else.
I don't know about everyone's church experience but mine has been...there are many more people who need help than those who give it. I think there is a reason for that. People want to get fed...and do not want to give.
You've made some excellent points! Yes, the Christlife is about others. . . and that is what is lacking. The majority aren't fed and don't know how to, and really don't hunger and thirst. So what does that tell us? The blind will lead the blind into a pit. Is that where we are?
Oh the church wants other to do the work of the church. That's why we have program, after program, after program, and complaining that no one is there to do the work. But have we missed the point?
The point is not the work. The point is Jesus. We need Jesus. We need His life. And He will live out His life in us if we are His.
So what we need is Jesus, people who know Jesus, love Jesus, are dying to self and surrendering to His life. It's not about doing. It's all about being. And if we are His, we are and His life will be our life. He is the answer.
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/7/2008 9:52:55 AM
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buckifn
Posts: 1760
Joined: 5/23/2006
Status: offline
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I've done a lot of personal soul searching myself on this subject lately. How can we best assist our Pastor's and make sure they know we are there supporting them if we don't feel spiritually strong ourselves?
I think we have to have a ministry like Jesus did. His model for ministry was SERVING. It's a funny thing, but the more time I spend serving others the less time I have to worry about self.
Have you ever noticed that? I'm not saying this to condemn, but sometimes isn't it true that we have to give out what we have in order for a new filling to begin? We are to draw from the well of LIVING WATERS...and the NT says out of your belly shall FLOW rivers of living water...
It doesn't say out of the pastor's mouth, does it?
Again, I'm just sharing what areas God is helping me to grow in...not to put anyone down. I fully believe in leadership accountability, but I also believe in personal accountability.
It's tough to lead others and follow a Leader who you may sometimes feel is less than what you expect/desire from a leader...but if we take a step back and search ourselves we will prob. realize somebody somewhere is disappointed at times in us too.
Thank God His Holy Spirit doesn't reject us, but carries us along and guides us back to the path we need to be walking on. I believe Pastor's are no different. Let's pray for them, encourage them, and help them so we can all grow together.
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/7/2008 10:01:12 AM
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Focusing
Posts: 6006
Status: offline
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quote:
isn't it true that we have to give out what we have in order for a new filling to begin? We are to draw from the well of LIVING WATERS...and the NT says out of your belly shall FLOW rivers of living water...
Something good and hearty to chew on.
Thank you.
_____________________________
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven
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RE: Are You Being Fed????? - 10/7/2008 10:09:06 AM
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