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The authority is in Matthew 25. How you miss that shows how far from the heart of Christ your search for "authority" has taken you. We cannot be "of Christ" without doing the things Christ would do - feeding the poor, meeting the needs of others, etc. And since God at no time authorizes a church treasury, how we use money in the church treasury can't really be an authority issue. As for you Ann, may God glorify His name through the work you are doing and provide every need you may have.
Preacher in Texas
Thank you for your comment. However, your response is quite troublesome knowing that an evangelist of such a large church would respond in this manner. Firstly, Matthew 25 speaks to our individual responsibilities. This in no way authorizes a congregation to burden its funds with the material aspects of this world except as indicated for brethren in need, evangelists, elders, etc. as outlined and authorized in other verses. If you apply Matthew 25 to church responsibility then you must include Matt 25:46:
Mt 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
You are therefore implying that the congregation will be judged on its responsibility as a congregation rather than individuals and their responsibilities.
Romans 14:10-12 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Your implication causes the scriptures to contradict themselves with this passage. God takes His authority very seriously as I have outlined in my blogs for the last 15 months. You state, "...God at no time authorizes a church treasury." Yet, you admit that your congregation has a treasury and use it in any manner you deem necessary. This is not only hypocritical but direct disobedience of God's word.
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
We do have authority for a treasury, and we better have authority for all we do. How do you justify volleyball teams, church uniforms, Superbowl parties, church dinners, recreation, etc.? We must stop perverting the Word of God and do as He has commanded. Let us depart from this social Gospel that our denominational friends have adopted and get back to the Word of God.
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
-----------------------------------------Not sure how Springfield COC got into this conversation loop, but thank you to the brother who spoke up for the ladies who are living out Christ's love. Praying for hearts that need his perfect love to drive out the fears of doubt and desire for rightness rather than righteousness. I will note that the initial e-mail did indicate those using the building were new converts--a point missed by the "authority respondent." Not that that matters! Those in defense mode jump so quickly to that stance.May we all reach out to people--gee, in the most radical kind of love to even feed and love our enemies. May grace, mercy and compassion about. May all know we are disciples by love not legality.
Church Admin Assistant
To use an exclamation from other respondents...WOW. Firstly, I did email the lady in question to confirm that this was not just to provide for needy members as the Scriptures authorize. She verified that these kitchens and services were for all in the community. Her email implies that this is a recruiting tool and has led to new converts.
Your priorities of righteousness over rightness and love over legality shows your lack of understanding of God's insistence on obedience. Jesus stated,
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
We show love to God and His son by our obedience of His commandments. This includes our worship, our daily lives, and respecting His authority. I heard a preacher once say that I would much rather be called a "legalist" than what you would otherwise be, an "illegalist." I will state again that the most loving and righteous thing we can do is to help others as individuals and not burden the church with unauthorized practices. God tells us to concentrate on the spiritual and not the physical. We see that time after time. Those who feel they can do a service to the non-believers by feeding them and clothing them with the church funds, find that the consequences are far reaching as with any error.
Please read through my blogs and open the Bible to study this subject in depth.
------------------------------------------------Wow! I would concur with the last respondent from Springfield and brother Collier. Jesus said "The spirit of the LORD is upon me because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he has sent me to heal the broken hearted ..." You should know the rest. That was Jesus' vision and should be ours. Let's just humble pray for them and do what we can to help each other - by prayer or donation. Peace,
Preacher from Virginia
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised...
This passage, a quote from Isaiah 61:1, is the fulfillment of a prophecy of Christ and His mission here on earth. I absolutely agree that we must follow His example and do as He has commanded. This is a message of deliverance and healing the spiritually lost, i.e. teaching God's word and spreading His message. This is not a physical message of feeding the poor, non-believers as a work of the church. Once again, this is an individual Christian's responsibility to help those in need that are hungry and thirsty and naked and ill.
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