 The reason "other churches" don't grow: "Jim, the truth is, I couldn't have a real prayer meeting in my church. I'd be embarrassed at the smallness of the crowd..." Author: Jim Cymbala
Source: Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire |
| The first century money changers were in the temple, but they didn't have the spirit of the temple... They were out of sync with the whole purpose of the Lord's house. "The atmosphere of my Father's house," Jesus seemed to say, "is to be prayer. The aroma around my Father must be that of people opening their hearts in worship and supplication. This is not a place to make a buck. This is a house for calling on the Lord. Author: Jim Cymbala
Source: Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire |
| The Bible does say, "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations." Preaching, music, the reading of the Word--these things are fine--but they must never override prayer as the defining mark of God's dwelling. Author: Jim Cymbala
Source: Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire |
| No church, including the one I pastor, should be measured by its attendance. Author: Jim Cymbala
Source: Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire |
| The Bible does not say we should aim at numbers but rather urges us faithfully to proclaim God's message in the boldness of the Holy Spirit. This will build God's church God's way. Author: Jim Cymbala
Source: Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire |
| God nowhere asks anyone to have a large church. He only calls us to do his work, proclaiming his Word to people he loves under anointing power of the Holy Spirit to produce results that only he can bring about. Author: Jim Cymbala
Source: Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire |
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| In many churches today the congregation rules the leaders. This sort of government is foreign to the New Testament. Author: John MacArthur
Source: Hebrews, p. 445. |
| Many churches have de-emphasized preaching and worship in favor of entertainment, apparently believing they must lure converts by appealing to fleshly interests. As if Christ Himself were in some way inadequate, many church leaders now believe they must excite people's fancies in order to win them. Author: John MacArthur
Source: Preface from Our Sufficiency in Christ |
| No church is healthy enough to resist contamination from persistent sin in its midst, any more than the healthiest and most nutritious bushel of apples can withstand contamination from even a single bad one. The only solution in both cases is separation. Author: John MacArthur
Source: 1 Corinthians, p. 131. |
| The results of ignoring church discipline are catastrophic. Gross public sin is overlooked, ignored, and tolerated. The fellowship of believers deteriorates to the point where it's indistinguishable from the unbelieving world. God's people forfeit the credibility of their testimony. And self-deceived sinners happily remain in the local church, unaware of their need for true repentance and faith. Author: John MacArthur
Source: Grace to You Newsletter, April 2009, www.gty.org. |
| A man who covers up the cross though he may be an intellectual man, and draw large crowds will have no ilk there, and his church will be but a gilded sepulcher. Author: D.L. Moody |
| We have in our churches a great deal of prayer, but I think it would be a good thing if we had a praise meeting occasionally. If we could only get people to praise God for what He has done, it would be a good deal better than asking Him continually for something. Author: D.L. Moody |
