Would your church be a good fit?
Question:
I have friends who are soon to be married. Both are leaving their church to find one together. Both very much need a Bible preaching church and also a church that allows the Holy Spirit to move. Would this be a good fit? One coming from a conservative church and one comes from a spirit-filled nondenominational Pentecostal-like church. How does you church fit?
Sorry for the silly questions. I just want them to find a great church!
Answer:
The problem is the approach. You are looking for a church that meets an individual's desires without consideration of what God commands. For example, you are looking for a church that allows the Holy Spirit to move. Since when has any person or church prevented God from doing as He desires? The Holy Spirit has been moving long before men existed (Genesis 1:2) and He doesn't need our permission to continue His work.
But typically people who use phrases like this mean that they are looking for an emotional experience in worship. Accuracy takes a backseat to a person's feelings. However, the Spirit teaches through the Word that feelings are an inaccurate guide. "He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered" (Proverbs 28:26). Walking wisely means following God's teachings and not your own heart. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6). Sadly, too many mistakenly claim that their feelings are God's -- something that is never taught in the Scriptures.
The brethren at La Vista aim to mold themselves to God's will and not their own. They look for book, chapter, and verse for all that they do because that is the route to heaven. "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14).
See: Cafeteria-Style Religion.