Does The Apostolic Message Need Re-Packaging????

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by The Antagonist

Amen.

Certainly the ministry is of no small responsibiity. It is a high and holy calling that must be carefully cultivated by all the graces that God has given us that we may appeal to the lost and discouraged by not only the message we preach but by our manner of life.

Agreed.

What was it that Jesus said? Oh yeah, "I come not to be ministered too, but to minister........." We'd all do good to live up to that. Like John the Baptist said "He must increase and I must decrease"..........

[Trouvere]

Originally Posted by Pianoman

I was listening to Kenneth Phillips preach at the AWCF Conference, and he mentioned that it was time to re-package the Apostolic message.

I know that manufacturers of products upgrade their product packaging to reflect the current tastes and customs. For instance, Betty Crocker was changed from the 40's and 50's look into a more modern looking women.

As new ways to package items are invented, successful companies will try to upgrade their packaging. Colas and Ketchup used to always be packaged in glass bottles, but now they mostly use plastic packaging.

Is it time to re-package the Apostolic message?

The last I heard the Apostolic message came from God.Man has manipulated it
way too much already.

[Steve Epley]

NOPE-NADA-ZILCH-NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!


I am sure y'all are suprized at this answer.

[bdlooney]

Originally Posted by philjones

In my opinion, we have reached the present anemic position in the Apostolic church because we have tried to repackage the message. WE have made it possible for sin and sinners to be comfortable in our services in an effort to be Saddleback sinner friendly. We have lost the power of conviction because we are being Spiritually Correct and don't want to risk making our guests uncomfortable.

Jesus said that it was the hungry and thirsty that are going to be filled... not those attracted only by the packaging. A hungry or thirsty man could care less what the package looks like!

I will agree with the apostle and say I have nothing to preach save Jesus and him crucified. I am not sure how you make a bitter cup, a bloodied back, a crown of thorns, a reed of ridicule, a rugged cross and three nails attractive. Can you give me some pointers please?

PJ, This is the best post in the thread!!

BTW, how are things in your neck of the woods? It has been a few months since I have seen you.

[bdlooney]

Paul wasn't concerned with pretty packaging. Read his words in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27:

Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

He wasn't concerned with making the Christian life look pretty. There are trials but the blessings, power, Spirit and eternity make it all worth it.

It is easy to live for God hard but it is hard to live for God easy.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

PM,

If the product itself is not enough, then we are in big trouble.

The problem as I see it is that there are too many false advertisers out there. Show me any church that resonates with the glory and power of God, and I will show you a church that is growing on a normal basis.

It is not OUR package that is supposed to draw them, but HIS Spirit, anyway.

Excellent post! I agree!

[MissBrattified]

The packaging doesn't make as much impact as the salesman does. Or the commercial, for that matter.

It isn't our job to make Christianity "look" better. We can start with ourselves and simply be a better product. Authentic Christianity (e.g., via a strong relationship with Jesus Christ) will naturally produce interest in the "consumer."

Originally Posted by Pianoman

I was listening to Kenneth Phillips preach at the AWCF Conference, and he mentioned that it was time to re-package the Apostolic message.

I know that manufacturers of products upgrade their product packaging to reflect the current tastes and customs. For instance, Betty Crocker was changed from the 40's and 50's look into a more modern looking women.

As new ways to package items are invented, successful companies will try to upgrade their packaging. Colas and Ketchup used to always be packaged in glass bottles, but now they mostly use plastic packaging.

Is it time to re-package the Apostolic message?

No, but it is high time to re-package some Apostolics.

Originally Posted by philjones

WE have made it possible for sin and sinners to be comfortable in our services in an effort to be Saddleback sinner friendly. We have lost the power of conviction because we are being Spiritually Correct and don't want to risk making our guests uncomfortable.

Translation... "We are just not scaring people enough. If we would make people more afraid of God, then they would love Him more..." That works real well with my wife when I tell her I am going to torture her for eternity if she doesn't love me enough...

Originally Posted by Sheltiedad

Translation... "We are just not scaring people enough. If we would make people more afraid of God, then they would love Him more..." That works real well with my wife when I tell her I am going to torture her for eternity if she doesn't love me enough...

Who’s going to do the torturing?

If you tell your wife to follow you in order to be saved from a firestorm because you love her, and she chooses the firestorm, then who is responsible for the repercussions?