Losing Focus in the Rural Church Pt. II
12/04/20 • 58 min
In this episode we discuss...
- our 5 points on losing focus in the rural church part II:
- Politics can distract the Church
- Titus 3:1-8
- Instead of MAGA, Christians should be K.O.G.I.B - The Kingdom of God is Better
- Instead of The Resistance, Christians should be The Persistence - Living a Christlike Life no matter who the president is
- Hyper-Patriotism and/or Nationalism can distract the Church
- God CREATED the nations (Acts 17:24-26)
- God RULES the nations (Psalm 66:7)
- God RAISED UP HIS OWN kingdom (Rev 5:9-10)
- God’s KINGDOM will continue to grow (Matthew 13:31-32)
- The Culture War can distract the Church
- The culture war is actually a spiritual war.
- Don’t be surprised at the depravity of man! Don’t make your only goal to win the culture war, make your goal to make disciples.
- Jeremiah 17:9
- Romans 1:21-24
- Isaiah 5:20-21
- 2 Timothy 4:1-5
- The Church can get distracted by our response to COVID-19
- 2 Timothy 1:3-7 - Walk in the STRENGTH/POWER of Biblical Conviction, the LOVE of Christ and the SELF-CONTROL given by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God planted into a regenerate heart... and PRAYER helps too!
- Rather than have the “perfect church” in our own eyes, our goal is to have a church that responds perfectly to these things, and shepherd them through it
- Be encouraged! Christ has and is working to make His church perfect, so stop comparing your church to other churches.
- Ephesians 5:25-27
- 2 Timothy 1:15
- 1 Corinthians 3:3-4
- Politics can distract the Church
- Next week we’ll focus on the INTERNAL FOCUS rural congregations can develop and how to overcome it.
Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:
- Got some free time and want to listen to some books? Joe reviews Audible Plus.
Our Quote of the Day:
- "The day is coming when he will ride on his white horse and go forth conquering and to conquer; but today, it is the red horse; for his church still suffers; still is she stained with the blood of persecution." Charles Spurgeon
CONTACT (give us feedback, topic ideas, or just say hey)
Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://facebook.com/ruralpastorstalk
Twitter: @ruralpastorsLISTEN
In this episode we discuss...
- our 5 points on losing focus in the rural church part II:
- Politics can distract the Church
- Titus 3:1-8
- Instead of MAGA, Christians should be K.O.G.I.B - The Kingdom of God is Better
- Instead of The Resistance, Christians should be The Persistence - Living a Christlike Life no matter who the president is
- Hyper-Patriotism and/or Nationalism can distract the Church
- God CREATED the nations (Acts 17:24-26)
- God RULES the nations (Psalm 66:7)
- God RAISED UP HIS OWN kingdom (Rev 5:9-10)
- God’s KINGDOM will continue to grow (Matthew 13:31-32)
- The Culture War can distract the Church
- The culture war is actually a spiritual war.
- Don’t be surprised at the depravity of man! Don’t make your only goal to win the culture war, make your goal to make disciples.
- Jeremiah 17:9
- Romans 1:21-24
- Isaiah 5:20-21
- 2 Timothy 4:1-5
- The Church can get distracted by our response to COVID-19
- 2 Timothy 1:3-7 - Walk in the STRENGTH/POWER of Biblical Conviction, the LOVE of Christ and the SELF-CONTROL given by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God planted into a regenerate heart... and PRAYER helps too!
- Rather than have the “perfect church” in our own eyes, our goal is to have a church that responds perfectly to these things, and shepherd them through it
- Be encouraged! Christ has and is working to make His church perfect, so stop comparing your church to other churches.
- Ephesians 5:25-27
- 2 Timothy 1:15
- 1 Corinthians 3:3-4
- Politics can distract the Church
- Next week we’ll focus on the INTERNAL FOCUS rural congregations can develop and how to overcome it.
Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:
- Got some free time and want to listen to some books? Joe reviews Audible Plus.
Our Quote of the Day:
- "The day is coming when he will ride on his white horse and go forth conquering and to conquer; but today, it is the red horse; for his church still suffers; still is she stained with the blood of persecution." Charles Spurgeon
CONTACT (give us feedback, topic ideas, or just say hey)
Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://facebook.com/ruralpastorstalk
Twitter: @ruralpastorsLISTEN
Previous Episode
A Walk Down Memory Lane: What Motivates a Rural Pastor?
In this episode we discuss...
- the motivation of the rural pastor!
- Why do people live in rural areas?
- Less people.
- Less noise.
- Less traffic.
- More grass.
- More wildlife.
- More like-minded people.
- Slower pace.
- Good place to raise kids.
- Why do pastors live in the country?
- Where there are people there needs to be a presence of the local church.
- A local church, by God’s design, is shepherded by men who are qualified, called, and equipped by God.
- What are false motivations for rural ministry?
- A paycheck.
- The approval of a congregation.
- To express your gifts.
- To develop a platform for yourself.
- To feel you’ve earned God’s approval.
- To save people.
- Nobody else will do it.
- You like it.
- What is the only RIGHT motivation?
- Philippians 3:7-14
- Ephesians 4
- Acts 20
- Why do people live in rural areas?
The listener question we answer this week:
- Jeremy from Catawissa, PA asks, "Where do you draw the line regarding when to use a resource from a questionable teacher? What kinds of warnings do you give to those you are using it with regarding the author's overall ministry or problems with his teaching, so that the individuals being taught don't assume a blanket commendation of that teacher?"
Links for our Top Two's:
- Mediator by Ghost Ship
- 8 Signs of True Repentance
- Darned Tough Socks Merino Wool
- Recon Medical BLK-1PAK-FBA Tourniquet
CONTACT (give us feedback, topic ideas, or just say hey)
Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://facebook.com/ruralpastorstalk
Twitter: @ruralpastors
LISTEN
Next Episode
Does it Matter if the Building is Outdated?
In this episode we discuss...
- our 5 points on losing focus in the rural church by internal means:
- Buildings are just places.
- We are stewards of our buildings.
- 1 Corinthians 10:31
- The way we use our space makes a statement to lost people.
- 2 Corinthians 2:15
- The way we use our space will encourage or discourage our values (gathering, one-anothering, hospitality, etc).
- Watch out! Buildings can quickly become idols (idols of neglect or idols of too much care).
Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:
- Trying to live stream your church services? Josh reviews OBS Software, and its many applications.
Our Quote of the Day:
- "When we are most lazy, the devil is most busy. Sloth is the cause of sin, and idleness the fruitful mother of wickedness." Andrew Gray
CONTACT (give us feedback, topic ideas, or just say hey)
Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: http://facebook.com/ruralpastorstalk
Twitter: @ruralpastorsLISTEN
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