NoChurch

...They that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
Acts 8:4

I continue to hear more and more from people in this country, as well as other countries, that they no longer have any place to attend for church services. Of course there is great concern for those folks as it is very difficult to proceed with the Lords business without the help and encouragement of the brethren. It is good to sit under hard preaching - it is exciting and 'releasing' to sing the old fashioned praises and hymns to God - it is good to have a place where your kids can be taught the Bible - it is good to be able to give monies to the local church in order to further the gospel through missionaries as well as their own local church, which has its own expenses.

In America, we have grown to 'need' our local church for all that it represents.

As the gospel is ignored more and more and as there are fewer and fewer churches that even come close to the description of a Biblically sound church, we are finding that many people just do not have a 'good church' to attend anymore. Whether it be in a big city or a small town, going to a good bible-preaching church is fast becoming as scarce as a cold bottle of Nehi grape soda.

So what do I say when these people contact me? Well, I do a search on the few directories that I have available on my main web page to make sure that there is no church available that they just don't know about. If that doesn't lead us anywhere, then the next thing I do is recommend them to read my sermons on Where is the House of God and Can't Find a Good Church?. I am finding out that too many people believe that the local church is the 'house' of God and if they don't have a place to attend, they are in fear that they will die spiritually. These sermons should be a good encouragement to see that God has things covered, even when we think He doesn't.

It seems that we must constantly remind ourselves that God has everything covered, amen? Why do we think that God does not know our plight when it comes to having no local church to attend? Of course God is aware of the situation and of course God has it handled.

I will recommend again, that in order to find out just how close God is to us on a daily moment by moment basis, please read slowly and carefully the sermons listed above. They tell us that God has it handled - as He makes His abode IN us.

We need to remember that we truly don't 'need' the local assembly - if there is not one to attend. He is very clear that we don't 'need' to attend someplace that is not up to 'snuff' scripturally. He is also very clear that there is no perfect 'local' church to be part of because as soon as we visit, we 'ruin' it, amen? We all have each other no matter where we live as we all are part of the body of Christ - the Bride of Christ - a family, amen? To be able to gather in one place is a blessing and privilege that we are quickly losing in America.

So if there is truly no church to attend - you have searched high and wide and there is even no small work in someone's home or in a store front, etc. then, and only then, can you can ask your question again.

Then ask yourself this question - When America was first settled, were there churches all over the country for everyone to attend? The answer is a strong NOPE! Circuit riders traveled the countryside from town to town and from house to house and preached to the folks wherever he could find them. Many of the people fed the traveling preacher and helped him with his needs - many of them did not. But for those who heard and received the gospel, etc., the men in the family were shown the Biblical responsibility of providing for the spiritual growth of the family. Eventually, local churches were begun and more and more were established in community after community. In fact, today - there are more churches than ever in all American communities - many in neighborhood after neighborhood.

However, if one wants old fashioned hard preaching, etc., those kinds of churches are almost becoming extinct. In fact, the scriptures are very clear that there will come (has come & is coming) a day when the hearing of God's words will be considered at a famine level.

Amos 8:11,12
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD,
that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,
but of hearing the words of the LORD:
And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east,
they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD,
and shall not find it.

In America, right at this very moment, there are people all over this country that are in areas where there is no sound preaching. Unfortunately, we have many people 'choosing' to move to these areas where they know before they get there that there is no church for them. I will not even begin to try to answer the obvious question as to why would they make that kind of move. I realize that here are job requirements, family needs, etc. and many other reasons, I suppose, and I certainly am not in their shoes to challenge them. That is the job of the Holy Spirit, amen?

But as long as there are people in that situation, that is what this sermon is about.

We are aware (I hope we are, anyway) that there is still serious persecution taking place around the world at this very moment. Christians are being persecuted PHYSICALLY. People are being arrested, put into prisons, beaten up in their homes, churches are being burned to the ground, pastoral belongings are being stolen and/or destroyed, etc. It seems that the only biggest problem so far in America is the 'lack' of solid churches to attend. It has become very disturbing to see pastors preach what they are preaching today. Music has gone far away from God - monies are being spent on worthless projects - standards have fallen to a new low. It has especially become very disturbing to see the entrance, in some form or another, of Catholicism in all the churches in America - including the Bible Believing Baptist churches. It has become very disturbing and disappointing to see so many pastors and Christians trim their ways to seek love Jeremiah 2:23.
Let's return to Acts 8:1-4
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Now there was a problem. In those days, God's people were being driven out of their homes just like is taking place today. Note what the response of God's people to the situation? Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Need I say anymore?

If you find yourself in a city or town where there is no church that preaches the Book, etc. then remember that you have everything you need in that Book - you have everything you need in your personal existence through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit - Christ is IN YOU. Do something with Him!

Do something with that Book!

As we are finding out how much we miss our local church, the pastor, the brethren, etc. we are also finding out how little we know about our salvation - how little we know about imputation - how little we know about Spiritual Circumcision - how little we know about our position and standing with God through His son by way of the Holy Spirit as He reaches us through His words - HOW LITTLE WE KNOW ABOUT OUR BIBLE!

We are finding out that our Bibles / our Swords are not marked - they are not prepared for battle. What can you do now that you have no 'couch' to sit on and let a preacher just 'try' to feed you something to sustain you for a day or two?

Amos 6:1-5 Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria...That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David;

Get out that Book - read it more than you ever have. Get out that Book - prepare it for battle. Get ahold of a preacher through the computer - through tapes, etc. and get the preaching and teaching you need to carry you through this land of famine. The Holy Spirit will teach you everything you need - IN THE BOOK!

Just maybe God will use you to 'spread the word' and 'preach the word'? Wouldn't that be something!

Rev 3:18
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment,
that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;
and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see.
II Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
II Timothy 4:5
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist,
make full proof of thy ministry.
Jude 3
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation,
it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you
that ye should earnestly contend for the faith
which was once delivered unto the saints.

The father of the home has also been given the responsibility to 'pastor' his family - 'preach' to them. Go for it, dad. If you don't believe you are ready, then start anyway and you will be surprised at how fast God works on you and blesses your move. My web site has many articles and sermons to help you in this endeavor for you, for your family and for God!

Who knows -maybe God will use you to pastor a church in your community. He did me!

My family was in that very same situation back in South Dakota. God allowed me to start a home church - independent of any home church organizations, by the way - and eventually led me to be a pastor at this church in Touchet, Washington.

Don't despair. Don't roll over and play dead spiritually. Look hard for that church - hold to God's standards of a church / preacher / music, etc. and if there truly is nothing, than make it happen at home! Open that Book, finally - make your family hear you and take the reigns, dad, and lead your family. Who knows, your home service may grow into a local church for others to find when they realize their true status in God's eyes.

Remember, God is in you, not in any building. See what He will allow you to do - if you do it for Him - and with His words, how can you go wrong?

Psalm 63:1
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee:
my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land,
where no water is;

It Still Can Be Done in America!
- If you still have the King James 1611 Bible -
For awhile longer, anyway!

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