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Deal Breakers vs. Excuses for Not Going to Church July 5, 2016
 Unfortunately, some of you who listen to preaching online do not go to church anywhere. If you live in the United States, there is probably a pretty good church within driving distance, so I implore you to find a local church and get involved. The website, militarygetsaved, is a good place to start when researching churches in your area. One way to find good churches using that site is to use the control “F” feature and search for the word “soul.” Usually churches that advertise soul winning are right on salvation and use the King James Bible. If that doesn't work, try searching the word "hyles." Selecting a church is often a process of elimination, so watch out for the following deal breakers: Wrong Bible Using the wrong Bible version is a serious deal breaker. Be sure that any Bible quotes on a church’s website are from the King James Version. If a church is using a modern perversion, then they will inevitably be led into false doctrine. Unfortunately, even churches with the right Bible can be wrong on key doctrines, but if they don’t have the right Bible, there is no hope of accurate teaching. Another Gospel Salvation by works in any form is another automatic deal breaker. Always check the plan of salvation on the church website before visiting to make sure they teach salvation by grace through faith. Don’t be too lazy to visit a church in person if poring over their website is inconclusive. Once you get there, check out their invitations or tracts, which might be on the back table. If you don’t find a published plan of salvation anywhere, then keep your ears open during the service. If the preacher is going to tell people they have to turn from their sins to be saved, he might throw that in at the end, during the “invitation.” No Soul Winning Keep in mind that the soul winning might be called “visitation” or “outreach” at some churches since soul winning time is sometimes combined with following-up with people who have visited the church, but it is a better sign if they actually use the term, “soul winning.” If they have somehow left their first love and don’t have any organized soul winning, then you can attempt to start your own soul winning program. If they give your idea the thumbs down, then they are not a legitimate church. There are a few common doctrinal differences that are not deal breakers. Perhaps the pastor has a different view on the tribulation or supports the nation of Israel politically. Maybe the church offers Sunday School classes instead of having a family-integrated service. I disagree with all of those things, but they are not necessarily deal breakers. Either overlook these differences or move somewhere close to a church that you can agree with. It is important to go to church somewhere—in fact--the Bible commands it. Now stop making excuses and go to church! “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25 Here is a sermon on deal breakers Click here for more posts
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