Expositor's Bible. Vol 45 Archives - theWord Commentaries

Expositor’s Bible Vol 45 Hebrews by T.C. Edwards

Brown The Devil's Mission of Amusement 7 page article from 1889. Hollywood in the church and her ministries. Brown was a student of C.H Spurgeon.
Excerpts:
Different days demand their own special testimony. The watchman who would be faithful to his Lord and to the city of his God needs to carefully note the signs of the times and to emphasize his witness accordingly. Concerning the testimony needed now, there can be little if any doubt. An evil is in the professed camp of the Lord, that is so gross, so brazen in its impudence, that the most shortsighted of spiritual men can hardly fail to notice it.... Amusement for the people is the leading article advertised by each... until the hideous fact has been proved up to the hilt, that "amusement" is ousting "the preaching of the Gospel" as the great attraction... The Concert is fast becoming as much a recognized part of church life as the Prayer Meeting; and it is already, in most places, far better attended.

"Providing recreation for the people" will soon be looked upon as a necessary part of Christian work, and as binding upon the Church of God, as though it were a Divine command, unless some strong voices are raised which will make themselves heard.
Read the 7-page article: Brown, The Devil's Mission of Amusement.

My Tracts on Church Attendance The first and foremost reason to go to church is because God commands us to do so (Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.).
Coming in behind that direct command of God, we go to church in order to worship God Himself. How? Simple. We hear the Word of God actually read and carefully explained, and then we assimilate those principles y exhortations into our personal lives, and that is worship. Without those elements, there is no worship, and there is no success at "going to church." It is fruitless spiritually, and without spiritual benefit to your life, you will get discouraged and stop going, stop being committed to it, and it will ruin your life because you are a hypocrite.

Tracts on Church Attendance
ch22 Pastorless Flocks
ch17 Why do I Attend Church?
ch15 Congregating because we Love
ch14 Finding a good church
ch09 Our One another Relationship
ch43 Time to leave your church?
Also see my article on Getting People to Faithfully Integrate into the Church.

ChurchPlanting: Warning Signs Bad Pastor revised

Read this article by Pastor Cox on how to identify a bad pastor. This article is a help article for those on church candidate committees (to choose a new pastor for their church), but it is also very helpful for those looking for a new church.
Chapters:
1. Make sure he is really saved.

The problem in countless pastor-church conflict cases are either the leaders in the church or the pastor (or both) are unsaved. There is no substitute for a pastor who is committed and dedicated to following the morality of Christ as seen in Christ's person and explained in the many verses of Scripture. He lives out his salvation if he is saved (what you want). If he is not really saved, you will suffer under his carnality and sinful soul.

2. Make sure he is the Example of Christ.
---Living the example of a "Man of God"
---How do you discern that "morality of Christ" in a minister?
---What particularly are you looking for?
(1) Sarcasism. (2) Lying or bending the truth. (3) Courtesy and formality with each other. (4) Service to others instead of everybody serving him and his purposes. (5) True love. (6) Balanced. Logical and thinking. Sound mind. Consensus. Non-Competitive.
3. The Financial Testimony of a Good Pastor.
---Liberty from Covetousness.
---Vision of celestial outweighs earthly kingdom.
---Mobile shepherd wanderer.
---Wolf Signs
4. Failing to fulfill the Spiritual Requirements for Pastor
5. A Real Dedication and Submission to the Word of God
6. Make sure he can preach
---What good is preaching then?
7. Make sure he has, lives, and knows good doctrine.
8. Make sure he can pray.
---What is a man of prayer?
Read the article here.
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