The Best Church Model, Part 4

In this episode, Shawn McCraney discusses the marketing strategy of the "Man of Steel" movie to Christian pastors, expressing his discomfort with churches using Hollywood films to draw parallels to Jesus, as it can lead believers astray from studying the Bible. He emphasizes that pastors should focus on teaching the Word of God, rather than promoting secular narratives, to ensure that their congregations are guided by Scripture rather than media influences.

Shawn highlights the persistence of Christian persecution in 50 countries where believers are restricted from owning a Bible, facing harassment and even death, encouraging prayer and support through organizations like persecution.com. Additionally, he discusses how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) is adept in church organization but suggests they focus on biblical teachings to align more closely with the teachings of Christ.

In this teaching, Shawn argues that while the LDS Church's organizational model for conducting church activities can be insightful, it is crucial to avoid their methods that prioritize institutional progress over individual and family well-being. Furthermore, he emphasizes that contrary to certain doctrinal beliefs, scripture indicates believers can lose their salvation by abandoning faith, supported by passages such as John 15, which underscores the need for continual faith and bearing spiritual fruit.

The teaching emphasizes that genuine believers can still fall away from faith if they become fruitless or turn away from their initial commitment, as illustrated through biblical verses like John 15:6, 1 Timothy 4:1, and Colossians 1:23. Maintaining faith through continual growth and adherence to the gospel is crucial for believers to remain fruitful and steadfast in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Shawn's teaching emphasizes the necessity of maintaining faith for believers to ensure their salvation, as illustrated through scriptural passages from Peter, Paul, and Hebrews that warn against falling away or returning to sin. He challenges the notion of unconditional election by highlighting the importance of continuous faithfulness and righteousness to remain within the favor and blessing of God, applicable to all believers.

Shawn emphasizes that the biblical model of the church involves knowing the congregation personally, engaging in fellowship, prayer, and worship, and highlights the importance of being in the word of God and discipleship for spiritual growth. He advises Christians, particularly those leaving Mormonism, to select a church focused on teaching the word authentically and warns against adhering to legalistic practices not rooted in sound biblical exegesis.

The teaching emphasizes that ministries should focus on genuine spiritual growth rather than accumulating wealth, reflecting on the notion that churches today prioritize financial prosperity similar to Laodicea's failings in Revelation. It questions whether shifting focus from addressing specific religious groups like the LDS to broader Evangelical causes might diverge from one’s calling and stresses maintaining a ministry's true path without succumbing to external pressures or envy.

The teaching emphasizes the importance of financial accountability within influential organizations, criticizing those with potentially misused or unaccounted funds, like LDS, suggesting they should compensate direct descendants of victims, like the Fancher Baker descendants. It also highlights concerns about modern religious institutions focusing too much on monetary gain over spiritual missions, reflecting a potential shift in values within the Church during the age of Grace.