To focus on a man’s talk (called a “sermon”) rather than on Christ’s presence is to settle for a 2nd-hand account instead of a 1st-hand experience.

Posted on November 18, 2018 by Steve Simms
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About Steve Simms

I like to look and think outside the box. In college I encountered Jesus Christ and I have been passionate about trying to get to know Him better ever since. My wife and I long to see the power and passion of the first Christ-followers come to life in our time. I have written a book about our experiences in non-traditional church, called, "Beyond Church: An Invitation To Experience The Lost Word Of The Bible--Ekklesia." If you need encouragement, search for: Elephants Encouraging The Room and/or check out my Amazon author page. Thank you!
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2 Responses to To focus on a man’s talk (called a “sermon”) rather than on Christ’s presence is to settle for a 2nd-hand account instead of a 1st-hand experience.

  1. Stephan Caraway's avatar Stephan Caraway says:
    November 18, 2018 at 7:12 pm

    Borderlines on gnostic thoughts. To rely on the emotional experience, is dangerous spiritualism. In any relationship, what happens when the emotional experience of love fades? Do we just give up? Love is an action that is based on the knowledge of knowing that individual. Love is not a feeling, but the progression of free will, a choice. The relationship with God, is based on Him first loving us and because of grace and Christ’s sacrifice. We choose to love Him, out of a grateful heart. We will have emotional experiences with God, but they should not be the focus.
    I will agree that some sermons, have the focus on sensational performances, the preachers charisma; while removing the focus from Christ. These should be left burning in the circular can. God never said, “My people perish for a lack of experiences.” But God did say they perish for a lack of knowledge. Sermons that fail to draw us closer to God through the knowledge of his word, are disastrous failures that damage the soul.

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  2. Steve Simms's avatar Steve Simms says:
    November 19, 2018 at 2:40 pm

    Thank you for your comment, Stephan. We need Christianity as clearly taught in the New Testament (gifts of the Spirit, Jesus’ words “My sheep hear My voice,” & “Flesh & blood didn’t reveal this to you,” Paul’s “demonstrations of the Spirit,” etc.) Scholastic knowledge is helpful, but not enough. We need both the Word and the Spirit.

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