Isn't it interesting that after a plane flight we will be sure to find out where the baggage claim area is located? We will try to position ourselves so we will be close to where the baggage first appears on the conveyor belt. And most importantly we are quick to claim our baggage as soon as we identify it as our own. And in the event that someone else mistakenly picks up our baggage we do not hesitate to show them that the baggage they have claimed is really ours. But often time when it comes to the baggage of life; we behave completely different. We work hard at staying away from the baggage claim area or we pretend as if a baggage claim doesn't exist. Then, when we are escorted to this area we ignore our baggage in hopes that someone else will pick it up and take responsibility for it.
For the next three weeks at church we will be discussing what the Bible has to say about claiming our own baggage. The sooner we can identify and accept our own baggage the sooner we can unpack our stuff and properly put it away and the sooner we will be able to get on with life. I really believe that this upcoming series could truly revolutionize and re energize many who have been weighed down with the baggage that comes with life. I hope you will be able to be with us or visit with us online.
Friday, January 11, 2008
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11 comments:
I find the posting you placed interesting and thought provoking....it compels to the below thoughts on life's baggage.
The Bible states that the baggage of life or "Sin Baggage" will take us to Hell if we do not get it taken care of.
However, THANK CHRIST that He died on a hill called CALVARY..... and if we accept His gift of Eternal Life..... that is baggage that I NEVER have to claim!!!
AMEN!!!!!!!!!
When do you think your virtual tour will be operable?
Hey fundamental,
Thanks for the comment.
The virtual tour is a larger project than we first believed. We still intend to add it to our web-site but our volunteer staff have been busy with other tech. projects as of late.
Thanks for asking,
Randall
I once visited your church in Manassas during a Teen Rally with my church from culpepper....I loved it then....what was the reason for the change in belief?
Nice Website.......
Question for Inquiring Mind:
What belief change(s) are you referring to?
My apologies my other account locked up so here I am.....#2 IM.
Eric,
I was referencing the more liberal stance the church appears to have now vs. when I came to the church for the teen rally.
I believe when I came to Manassas the church was named Bull Run Baptist?....and seemed to be true blue fundamental.
IM2
IM,
There does seem to be quite a change in the way they do church. Is that a bad thing? I understand your concern, but have you checked out their "About Us" page? The beliefs seem pretty Baptist to me. Copy and paste this link:
http://vahills.org/about.html
I think their primary concern is to reach the unchurched, not other baptist people. Most baptists who are looking for a church are just leaving another church anyway. Most "true blue" baptist churches seem more concerned with keeping their baptist people happy by preaching against all those "worldly" people out there. Is the world our enemy? And how are we to reach them if that is the stance we take against them?
I guess the question is how effective Virginia Hills Church is at reaching the unchurched. I have been around a lot of "true blue" baptist churches and have never found them to be very effective in reaching out to those who are "the world." They seem to have a knack for making them feel very uncomfortable in their services (earrings, long hair, pants, etc.). It seems interesting that Jesus never preached against "worldly" people but rather the religious people of the day. Just a thought.
Eric
What ever happened to just old fashioned soulwinning. we should consentrate on reaching the lost instead of the "unchurched". why would we change our beliefs or our services in order to get the numbers? we should concentrate on sharing the TRUTH with people and let them decide between Heaven or Hell. how sad that some of the greatest preachers are changing their standards just to reach the unchurched. what ever happened to the lost?????? great comment fundamental!!!
In response to angelsinflight:
Can you define "soul winning" for me?
Regarding your comment on reaching the "lost." I was already assuming that there are a lot of "lost" in the "unchurched" crowd.
I am not sure what beliefs have changed. What are you referring too?
And, if reaching the lost is so important, why wouldn't we change our services to reach them? Jesus went way out of his way to reach one woman at the well.
It seems that your view of reaching the lost is a "take it or leave it" mentality. We tell them the truth and let them decide. How's that working for you? It would seem that Paul, a great New Testament missionary, poured his life into others in order to reach them with the truth. (I Thess. 2)
And, even Christ was interested in meeting the physical needs of people before He communicated any great TRUTH to them. (Luke 4:18) The message of Christ is more than "where you go when you die." It is also about how you live while on earth. I believe in sharing the truth with others, but we seem to pick and choose what truth we share.
Wow alot of interesting comments....to Eric you state in your last blog that Angel has a "take it or leave it mentality"...would you agree the Bible, God's Holy Word states.. "but the Gift of God is eternal life"?
I would state if you do that is exactly what it is, you take the gift, go to Heaven or you "leave" the Gift as you state and spend eternity in Hell.
I would suggest that you don't "become" the world to reach the world. Jesus did go out of His way as you state to reach the women out at the well, but he never changed His "message" when doing so.
I agree that Christians do sometimes "pick and choose" what we share, because we will only share most of the time what we are doing....meaning we change our message to fit our lifestyle instead of changing our lifestyle to fit HIS message.
He is the Potter and I am the Clay....We are supposed to change to Him, not water down the message to reach people, or get a crowd..after all the Bible says God builds the church....
Recently I watched a Pastor of a large church on television....he would not take a stance at all on what Salvation is all about.
How sad for him...as I do not agree with him or you Eric. As the most important question YOU or I will ever ask, be asked, or answer is...."If you were to die today, are you 100% sure you would go to Heaven when you die?"
....after all why did Jesus leave the splendor of Heaven, knowing his destiny...as the song says...he came to lay down HIS life for me....to save ME!
"to seek and to save the....LOST"
I am not familiar with this church, but have seen simliar blogs out here in CA. churches......
The take it or leave it mentality is working great for us....my church averages around 15-20 salvations a week and 4-7 baptized per week....on average a Sunday morning service will average 500.
We are strictly "Take it or Leave it".......salvation that is!
Have a great day all......
Great to hear your church is doing so well! Most "fundamental" churches I have been familiar with seem to grow by people from other churches filling their pews rather than their own converts.
I totally agree with you that Christ did not change His message to reach the woman at the well. And I truly do not think we should either. To be honest, I really am not sure how we differ in that regard and/or how it is you disagree with me. I am amazed that you can say you do not agree with me regarding my definition of salvation. I believe the message of Christ to be fundamentally important. I believe that what we do with the message of Christ has eternal consequences and therefore should be of the greatest importance. And, of course I believe that we either accept or reject the gift of salvation.
You stated that we should not become the world to reach the world. What does that mean? I certainly do not believe the world to be our enemy, but rather our mission field. By "world", we are referring to "people" right? How does one "become the world"? We ARE the world. We live in the same world as everyone else. The "world" never seemed to be the enemy of Christ. He was the friend of publicans and sinners. And that means He was and is my friend as well. And, He never changed His message to do so. Why would you or anyone assume that I have changed my message to reach the world?
What I do find interesting about Christ's ministry is that He never made "the world" His enemy but seemed very upset with the religious crowd who burdened others with their system of beliefs. Sounds very similar to what I hear from most churches today. It really isn't about the "message" anymore is it? Unless by message you mean what you wear, what music you like, and how closely you follow our set of rules (pharisee).
Christ gave His life to reach the "world." Paul was willing to give up his eternal security so others would have it. I don't know you (or at least I don't know that I do) but the "take it or leave it" attitude seems arrogant, unloving and totally un-Christlike. Salvation is a gift we can accept or reject, but I would never share the gospel with someone I cared about with the attitude I have found on this page.
Thank you for your comments and insight. I hope you and your church continue to do well.
I also attended youth activities at Bull Run BAPTIST Church with a youth group from Culpepper. And like "inquiring mind" wonder at the changes that have taken place. There have been many standards that have changed in recent years and was wondering what Biblical explanation you have for all of the changes? Don't you think it confuses people when you change beliefs like that?
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