TLDR: I think we will see many from the lgbt community flock to churches, and we as believers need to stand strong in faith, while not treating them any different than Jesus would a prostitute, dont distance dont celebrate, love on them where they are at as an individual with a name that God wants to hold close and have turn or return to Him.
Edit: I just want to add this is about those with a repentant heart, im assuming if they are seeking the Church they are on the path to repentance.
Men and woman of faith. Be ready for the coming harvest. I dont know for sure, but seeing people turn to God after the loss of Charlie Kirk, seeing a swell for atleast this past sunday at my church and hopefuly more to come. Be ready for the "freaks" to walk through the door.
Quick backstory/testamony: I am a formerly gay man who has a new life in Christ. I still struggle with the attraction but have learned to love a woman in the same way God loves her. But at the end of the day I turned from it and am trusting in Gods strength to keep me going.
That being said, the "freaks" is where I came from.
What I mean by that is we are gonna have a change in the look of the congregation, similar to when jeans and a tshirt were allowed finally into most churches. I believe we will see many gays, lesbians, trans, etc. Enter the door to our churches looking for The Church. Treat them as people, hurt and broken, but people. The fastest way I grew in Christ was when I was treated like an individual, by my name, not my sin. Before if I told people I was gay, they would either put distance or celebrate the fact. For the first time when I went to a local church did no one change how they treated me. I wasnt celebrated, but I wasnt told you arent welcome to join us on sundays. But they didnt compromise their beliefs, that lead to me repentance and restoration in Christ.
Jesus Christ went to the people, walked with them, fed them and healed them, sinners all. All who come to HIM are cleansed of sin through his sacrifice. We all struggle with sin on a daily basis, we do not love our neighbor as ourselves, we are full of coveting our neighbors goods, we suffer with lust and greed and envy and wrath and sloth and gluttony. We turn to him to be healed from this. With your conversion and your atonement, and daily commitment to follow him, you are promised forgiveness. If anyone walks into a church, seeking fellowship and education to The Word, they should be met as the prodigal son. Celebrate when a son is lost and then found.
Congratulations for allowing our Savior Jesus Christ into your heart. I commend you for your courage and willingness to let Christ lead you in your life.
A beautiful post. Thank you friend. Jesus died for all. All can be saved. God breathed life into every life. And all of us are precious. We just have some lost sheep. It’s our job to help them find their true shepherd. Jesus. And like me, be saved and finally find peace and joy through Jesus.
Wonderful story. Thanks for sharing. Yes, we should all be on the look out and open to leading them them to Christ!
https://youtu.be/uPcRo8NFAbk?si=RnjN9sTNCFH3js7O
ALL of Jesus' friends are heathens.
Revival is coming. He is going to flood the church buildings with souls crying out for Jesus. He will get the Church ready before.
Too many inside the walls resist the will of the Holy Spirit. They want God their way. God is dealing with this right now.
You are correct brother, God is sending the lost to their end. Those who once held their own identity high will turn and repent and be saying Jesus' identity is all that matters.
The Church needs to be at the ready to accept these people as these times come to an end. God is flooding the world with His Holy Spirit looking for the willing hearts and He is finding them. It's the hearts within the church walls that need worked over hard.
When they come we must be expecting them. We must help those who mutilated their bodies in pursuit of an idol. We must help restore the lost to the Lord. As they come in droves we will plant the most successful generation ever in praise and glory.
The timing of Charlie and this book is amazing. This is God's doing. His will.
I can't wait to see what Jesus does next.
https://a.co/d/ajZtLTf
With the exception of two 'closet believers' who showed up to ensure a proper burial, one could say this is true, but it would be more accurate to say they sinners who saw no hope in the legalistic distortion of Scripture being pushed by the religious ruling class. (See Matthew 5 - 7)
Joseph of Arimathea- Matthew 27–60, Mark 15–46, Luke 23–53, and John 19–42, was a member of the Sanhedrin who was opposed to the actions taken by it, and who covered the price for Jesus' proper burial by using his own tomb for the purpose.
Nicodemus appears three times in John's Gospel, first at night when he comes to state his opinion concerning Christ, is told you must be born again, and Jesus asks him how a teacher of Israel wouldn't know about the New Birth! (See Jeremiah 31, Ezekiel 11:19 , 18:31, 36:26 there's even a hint in Isaiah 53: 10!)
He shows up again in John 7:52, defending Jesus before the Sanhedrin by citing Jewish law.
And the third time he shows up, John 19:42, he assists Joseph of Arimathea in the burial of Jesus.
Everyone is welcome. The most lost are our priority. Bring us the sickest and let Christ make them well.
I firmly believe that judgemental Christians drive as many people away from Christ as the devil does. The righteous condemnation makes people believe that is what they'd get from God. That He is far from us, and far from loving.
The truth is the only judging God does towards those that are saved is to judge us righteous by Christ works. We believed on Christ and made him lord amd we are counted by God to be righteous for that in that we have received His spirit of holiness.
"Judgemental Christians" are putting themselves on God's throne, self worshiping vs worshiping God. Judgment is Gods alone, and they dont understand the difference between judgements and standing firm in beliefs. I can say being gay is a sin, specifically lust since no fruit comes from those relations and its about sexual gratification alone, which is not Gods purpose for sex. So I will not go back to that life, or use my body in those ways anymore.
And lust is also self worship, self pleasure whatever you call it. So maybe thats why "judgrmental Christians" lash out at it so much. They see their own sin in the actions of others and feel their own shame. In which case if anyone reading this is feeling judgemental to those who have a repentant heart, just know you are loved in the same way by Christ as those who are repentant from their sexual sins, allow God to be in His throne in your life and stay strong in the faith, get in your word, prepare your heart for a harvest to come.
Your testamony and encouragement is spot on. The love of God covers the multitude of sins and it never fails. Thanks for the post steering peoples hearts in the correct direction.
All glory be to God. Im just glad He can use my brokenness! Thank you for the kind words my fren
Absolutely right!
You are the Life of the Party! Welcome Home!
Luke 15: 11 - 32
Life of the Party: Crumbacher https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVGf16zZxxs
My church has the alphabet people come to it frequently but they come to it to cause chaos and protest because they don't like our members pushing back on them in the school district board meetings about their transgender and bathroom demands.
We receive threats monthly and actively track what these loonies post on their facebooks for situational awareness and threat monitoring. We have tried to be friends with them but you will see that unless you cater to their demands you will soon become their enemy. No room for distorting the word to cater to the enemy, love everyone - hate Satan. Good luck.
Oh for sure be careful. I mentioned a repentance heart. Not ones that come to threaten and harm. But those who are coming for truth. It won't be all but dont harden your heart so much that people who are looking to repent are turned away and shunned. Stay firm in your beliefs and faith, God is the only way we can make it through this.
Wise as serpents, harmless as doves....I share so that a group of the body is in constant prayer for wisdom, discernment, and protection. A shepherd is kind and loving, but also has a staff to defend his flock.
Until we realize what "ALL we like sheep have gone astray" means.....we won't make real progress. ALL WE means everyone....some sinners have been saved by Grace just like the rest of us sinners will be saved by the same Grace if they choose to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Categorizing human weakness and frailty and labeling someones sin shows perhaps an underlying issue of pride and self righteousness. We might need to examine that issue first before we "be on the lookout" for _____ to flock into our "churches". BTW God sees our righteousness as nothing but a filthy rag! The "church" shouldn't be on the look out for _____ to flock to their "churches", the "church should be out looking for the Fatherless and introduce them to Christ by exhibiting the LOVE of Christ so others can know the fullness of the Father and be reconciled back to Him. Just saying.......Thank you Jesus for saving this sorry sinner, thank you Jesus!
We set the table for those who want to dine with The King, its up to them to take a bite and taste that which is good. We who are called by His name are all just sinners and servants setting the table for more to join. Cant wait to sit amongst you tax collectors as a once lowley prostitute to sexual immorality. The King is alive! And He will return! Praise The Lord for all He has done!
The Lutheran Church by my house has a lesbian Preacher. It was once a solid true bible church. Uber liberal now. The families on my block that used to worship there, now go elsewhere.
Same thing happened to the church we went to.
Both were rather wealthy churches.
Now we go to some rented building with poor people putting overhead slides projected to the wall. But it feels so real and honest.
I have family that have a preacher background. Wish they'd start a worship.