6/43 Summary, Sources and the next series of Christian Foundations

August 11th, 2013

6/43 Summary, Sources and the next series of Christian Foundations

So we come to the end of what has turned out to be a very long series! We started this section with the Counterfeit Religious system as one of the challenges of the Christian faith.

In brief, we defined the Counterfeit Religion System. We talked about the results of following such a system for one’s own life and spiritual growth. The short answer to that questions was stagnant growth and spiritual decay.

We pointed to examples of how many readers felt about the current day group we call ‘the church’.

Then in contrast, we looked at the real definition of ‘the Church’ – that happens to be you and I if we are true ‘Jesus Followers’ versus the building where a group meets. Some call the modern concept of church just ‘the box with a domination name’ versus the group headed to be the Bride of Christ. The real Church is the future heir with Christ in the eternal kingdom.

Along the line, we sprinkled the comments of readers as to why they find going ‘to the box’ has become an unsettling experience.

We tried not to get entangled in the debate on ‘the Emerging Church’, especially by with the YouTube by Jefferson Bethke but to lay out what the real challenge to Christianity faces: a system of rituals that act as a substitute for the real relationship with Jesus. Bethke stirred the storm with his poem on the failings of the leaders of the church as he saw it. He voiced the dissatisfaction of many with the theme “Jesus I love…but the church not so much…”

From there we jumped into looking at an author and more comments about this growing church movement. We also added inspiration music, some funny posts and several guest Posts as well.

So we come to the end of this series with the question “So What now?’ Do we start new groups in reaction to the system church, building our own rules, programs and the ‘Starbuck’s style meetings’? Do we withdraw from the system…or try and build from within?

Perhaps the Parable of the Wheat and the weeds by Jesus gives us some answers. He knew both would be growing in His church. What did He say to do about this? Basically leave it to Him and He will build His church!

He calls us to be the model of the real Jesus Follower and break through the system of religion by only hearing, obeying and following His directions. Each of us must seek Him as to whether we stay or leave ‘the box’ where we find ourselves. We await the ‘Servant-King’ and His path. My recommendation? Find ‘a box’ that teaches and lives Jesus, where you are nurtured and growing into the place He has called and anointed you. Blessed are you if you have found this place!

So we leave this topic and turn to another essential path for our Christian Foundations: What does it mean to be ‘free in Christ’? Would you believe there are Ten Essential steps in this process in your journey to wholeness? To help us catch the flow of our blog, all these 10 Essential Steps will start with ‘R’. Can you guess any of the process?

Hint: Relinquish, Re-claim, Retain….? There is more to Christian maturity than just saying words to follow Jesus.

We will cover these ten building stones as we entering into our next series “The Journey to New Life in Jesus!” So please stay with us as we change topics and start a new series….but remember don’t lose the truths you have gained as we have looked at the Challenges facing the true Followers of Jesus Christ!

Susanne Fengler, Blog Author

Sources used in this series:

Arterburn, Stephen & Felton, Jack. Faith that Hurts , Faith that Heals, Nashville, Tenn.

USA, 1991.

Chant, Barry. Firm in the Faith, Book 1, House of Tabor, S. Australia, 1986.

Conner, Kevin J. The Foundations of the Christian Faith, Acacia Press, Victoria, Australia, 1980.

Fairchild, Mary. About.com Guide, date unknown

Damazio, Frank. The Making of a Leader, date and source unknown.

Douglas, J.D. (Organizing Editor). The New Bible Dictionary, Inter-varsity press, England, 1962.

Elwell, Walter A. Topical Analysis of the Bible, Baker Book House, Michigan, USA, 1991.

Author unknown. Now that You’ve Received Christ,Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International, Melbourne, Australia, 1976.

House, H. Wayne. Charts of Christian Theology and Doctrine, Zondervan Publishing,

Michigan, USA, 1992.

Meyer, Allan. Search for Significance, Careforce Recovery Ministries, at St. Matthews

Anglican Church Support Group, 1994.

Oxley, Hal. Lecture Notes from Life Ministry Bible College, Melbourne, Australia, 1970.

Oxley, Hal. Discipleship 1988, Life Ministry Bible College, Melbourne, Australia, 1988.

Paine, Leanne. Restoring the Christian Soul, Crossways Books, Illinois, USA, 1991.

Smith, Ray. “People Caring for People”, Acorn Press, Canberra, Australia, 1960.

Subritzky, Pat. “Spiritual Growth – Part One”, Dove Ministries, New Zealand, Manual:

Ministering in the Power of the Holy Spirit, Dove Ministries, Auckland, NZ, 1989.

“Who Am I in Christ”, Women’s Aglow, Author, date and place unknown.

Tongol, Remy. Christian Foundations current blogs, ‘Church’

Website contributors:

www.churchleaders.com/youth/youth-leaders-articles

’10 Reasons Why I Don’t Go to Church Anymore’ by Remy Tongol.mht

http://www.apologeticsindex.org/p02.html

Postmodernism Research resources for Christianity’s relevancy in today’s culture website

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=3292

http://www.dare2share.org/students/goodnewsforbrunomars/#sthash.oKYmBHXl.dpuf

Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus—’The Smackdown.mht

Patheos Website, “I Love Jesus.mht

http://www.jimfeeney.org/brideofchrist.html

http://theresurgence.com/2012/09/28/the-bride-of-christ-is-a-hot-mess

http://www.worldviewweekend.com/worldviewtimes/article.php?articleid=1645

http://www.apologeticsindex.org/p02.htm l ‘Postmodernism Research resources for

Christianity’s relevancy in today’s culture’

http://www.dare2share.org/students/goodnewsforbrunomars/#sthash.oKYmBHXl.dpuf

Thanks for joining us during this series!

Susanne Fengler, Blog Author

www.christianfoundations.jesus-treeoflife.info

Tags: Summary of series
Filed under: Challenges to the Christian Faith

A Word from the Lord:

"I have followed the flight of an eagle with My eyes. I have seen the mighty fish in the sea and they all give Me great pleasure ..… but do you know the greatest of all My creation is the Adam and Eve I created?

"Time has not changed My joy in seeing mankind grow. However, My heart has been saddened when I know the pleasure I wish to give My people, give to you My child. My ways are meant to be light, My burden easy. Religions and rules make the heaviness I wish to lift from My people.

"I long to draw you closer, to teach you deeper things of My Spirit. I need you to let your Heart rest in My love, to rest in My peace. I know the paths ahead for you. I have planned and will provide many treasures you have yet to see. Look for My hand and let Me guide you.

"I do know of your beginnings, of the painful places you have walked in your life. I have provided healing and grace to get up and go on … but know this, My child - I have never left your side. I have always walked with you, even when you cannot see My hand in your life. It is in times like this that I wish to grow your faith and trust.

"I have treasured your growth in following Me … and I want you to continue to seek Me for who I am, not what others have said about Me - or what the groups around you think.

"Look for Me and you will see Me in many layers in your life. I know your future; I know the dark places ahead and the places filled with sunshine and light. You will find Me in both places as I am moulding you and teaching you to walk with Me.

"Trust Me as you see the world around you. I will never leave you or walk away from you as I love you with a deep everlasting love. Yes, even when you make mistakes or take your eyes off the track. I am here! Rest in My peace and continue to let me fill you with My ways, with My treasures."

From Your Lord Jesus, your loving Father God via the Holy Spirit.

If you would like your own personal Word from the Lord, come find me on
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Facing the Orphan Spirit

To begin this section, let me tell you a story. 'Jenny' grew up in a semi-Christian home where she went to Sunday School every Sunday. It was probably more so that her parents had Sunday morning to themselves, away from their 4 children that they were sent to church. For whatever reason, little seeds grew in Jenny until she was a 20 year old and working in the church office.

She enjoyed her work and 'served well'. She even had a t-shirt made that said 'Steward of the Most High God'. She often marked her folders as 'Jenny, Steward of God'. This sounded like a good saying and to her, even sound doctrine … but it wasn't the whole truth. Something was missing.

She thought about leaving this group and looking for another church. Working in the church office made her feel like she belonged somewhere. She was the 'Helper to the Pastor' and that was how others saw her too.

They were her 'authority', her source of comfort and didn't they have the final say on what the Bible said? She wasn't really 'close' with any of them anyhow; none had tried to help her grow spiritually. She kept the rules of the church but quietly thought about 'church hopping someday'.

When she had a good day at work, she felt God smiled at her, even though her peers frequently excluded her in their church activities. She had her job with the church and they didn't. "Maybe they are just envious", she thought. "I need to protect what God has given me, especially since they don't understand me."

More and more she felt guarded and distrustful of others in the church and sometimes - if she let her thoughts go there - even felt the church pasters and leaders weren't doing the very best as stewards that they could have. "God was sole owner of everything and He had given me a job to do!" … and that was that as far as Jenny told herself.

So that was Jenny until the day her Mother died and she faced some hard truths. She was independent and could take care of herself but what about her family? One or two of the pastor's wives stopped by to offer their sad words but few others came.

The funeral wasn't very impressive as their money had been used for doctors. Jenny felt alone and lost, wanting to be loved by those she served but somehow, all this need and pride was mixed with isolation and being alone.

Sad and lonely, she went for a walk. "There's got to be more to God than this!" She began to question if she even knew the real Jesus and His love for her. At first, she didn't really feel like she could talk to HIM, the One who walked beside her. She didn't feel worthy; maybe she hadn't done enough? She was only His Steward …. but He saw her as so much more!

As Jenny walked and allowed His love to penetrate her independent, self-sufficient Heart. Her view of her walk as a Jesus follower began to change. Her view of being that 'Steward' began to melt into another sense of being His child first.

She began to feel gratitude for what the Lord was doing for her … and for her family. Never having known her biological father, she began to sense she really had a Father who just might cared for her. As the tears rolled down her face, she could she had turned her back on the real Source of her comfort, turned to the pastors who could never fill that need inside.

She could see that believing she was 'only His steward' had robbed her of knowing she was His child. Taking care of His things had replaced knowing she owned these things as His heir and beloved daughter.

She returned to the home she knew with greater peace than ever. She removed the labels 'Steward of God' of her folders and books. She replaced the labels with 'Growing child of God'. What a difference she felt!" (Names and places have been changed to protect 'Jenny's identity.)

As we begin this Stage 4 in our series From Slave to Bride, join us to find answers for your own life.

Christian Foundations