Denominations, Baptist, Christian, Methodist, Catholic, and a few more besides; designed to distinguish a core of beliefs in how we approach God and his kingdom; what we hold true as the teaching and interpretation of the bible; valuable, important, powerful and unique one to another in small ways.
What troubles me in our society isn't that we have denominations but that the denominations are where many plant their faith, their obedience, their future...I have heard people say upon entering a church, "oh, sorry I'm in the wrong church," first I would say if you don't recognize the church it might be because you are seeking a new church or you have been invited to a different location by friends or you have relocated to a new town, but I urge you to give God a chance where you find yourself. I have a great friend and mentor who Pastored a church in Louisville, sharing the gospel with great intensity to the black community and I have visited that church and when I am there it is the right church for me. I have attended services in the Catholic church and been moved to tears at the word of God and found that to be the right church at that moment, I have preached the gospel to those who hold fast to their Methodist doctrine, and God blessed me...and I believe He blessed them in spite of our secondary differences. It is God that makes the right church, not the title on the sign. If where you find yourself on Sunday in a church that you're not sure is the right one based on color or denomination, before you check out, check with God. After all, He should be what you're looking for anyway. And if it's the wrong place, God will let you know, and you will know where not to be, but if it's the right place, you might be home. All are welcome in God's house at Elk Creek, you may say you come from a different church, or from no church at all; I say we all come from a condition of desire, seeking the One who can satisfy, Jesus. I am the pastor of Elk Creek, I am a Christian preaching in a Baptist Church, God created it all, period. Jesus died for our sins, period. Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and The Life, period. Sin is sin and Jesus loves the sinner, not the sin. You can't live in one and claim the other, for you deceive yourself. Hell is real. I preach from the ESV bible, it may not be your version, but it is His! If God leads you to the door of our church give Him a chance, you might just be home, but if you're not I will help you find it. Our society has enough conditions and rules for acceptance, the church that preaches and teaches the whole council of the bible should offer rest for those seeking God through Christ, and loving correction for those who think they can offer the Lord a compromise or just don't know how to find him, not condemnation for the traveler who walks through the "wrong door." In His Service
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