100037 Forum Posts
_________________SI Moderator - Greg Gordon
But I praise God this has not happened but rather the opposite, in my heart I truly believe the forums have added to the sermons and shown a modern day example of those that are seekers of the truth such as others were that are recorded here for a testimony.
I have over and over thought of the fact that our words are being read by hundreds and thousands. This should bring soberity to our souls as we share our opinions and the word of God. All words Christ said will come into judgement. Not one word that we have said on the forums will not be judged by God.
"[i]It is encouraging to notice that the forums on sermonIndex.net have brought much encouragement, edification, and exhoration to the body of Christ world-wide. Some pastors recommended to me not to have a life-communication tool such as the discussion forums on a site with all these sermons, one of the major fears of the pastors that spoke to me was the fact that the discussions on the site could take away from the sermons and even discredit them to many people viewing the site.But I praise God this has not happened but rather the opposite, in my heart I truly believe the forums have added to the sermons and shown a modern day example of those that are seekers of the truth such as others were that are recorded here for a testimony. I have over and over thought of the fact that our words are being read by hundreds and thousands. This should bring soberity to our souls as we share our opinions and the word of God. [b]All words[/b] Christ said will come into judgement. Not one word that we have said on the forums will not be judged by God.[/i]"Worth repeating. I marvel still at what all has gone on through these past years. How much it has shaped my own thoughts, how much is carried away from here in contemplation, in reconsideration ... We are truly blessed to have some wonderful saints in our midst. Both pastors and the "lay people" (there must be a better word than that ...). [i]Making disciples[/i] is so evident and possible ... am of very much the mind still that a spiritual education is right here for the taking, by exploring and mining the treasures contained in sermons, articles, suggestions for long forgotten books, saints, Christian history ...And this forum ... The arm hair rises up and stands at attention, those wonderful shivers of joy and thanksgiving to the Lord. It's redundant but it must be said again; Whatever one does here, I plead a twist on the old adage, "[i]Do not judge a post by it's cover[/i]" or make that "Subject Line". So many postings take such mysterious and often marvelous twists and turns that only a glance at a heading or title may leave one with a ... [i]presumption[/i] ;-) ... and missing a great deal of wisdom and spiritual content.Brother, still well remember the early beginnings here, the challenges that were faced, the real possibility that this whole forum could have met a fate of others that destructed under division and infighting and a whole host of other evils. Trying to keep that balance here of patience, of room for misunderstanding and correction, for opportunity to be both true and honest, with ourselves, with each other ... To repent and admit, confess, which is so much to our advantage and does far more to make us true witness's than we could ever know ... Oh, I am certain this is where the church has missed it greatly, what the lost world is looking for, just truly honest people across the board, in all our dealings and doings...The difficulties met with dealing with the unruly, primarily due to conduct more than opinion, that very last and grievous straw ... I thank God that they have been ultimately few and far in between.And I thank God that He has so answered the prayers of keeping all this somehow, mysteriously under His care ...My, to just dwell on the changes and ... another rush of hair standing electricity ... This place, this peculiar and wonderful gathering. It has so unimaginably altered and changed this one spiritual life (And all of life is spiritual for the reborn) so much it renders me speechless, scrambling for expression. To imagine what it may have and could do for others ...
_________________Mike Balog
Got so lost in wonder that I forgot this last bit...Perhaps some reminiscing and bringing back to the fore some old, early postings here;[i]Today we need prophetic preachers; not preachers of prophecy merely, but preachers with a gift of prophecy. The word of wisdom is missing. We need the gift of discernment again in our pulpits. It is not ability to predict that we need, but the anointed eye, the power of spiritual penetration and interpretation, the ability to appraise the religious scene as viewed from Gods position, and to tell us what is actually going on.There has probably never been another time in the history of the world when so many people knew so much about religious happenings as they do today. The newspapers are eager to print religious news; the secular news magazines devote several pages of each issue to the doings of the church and the synagogue; a number of press associations gather church news and make it available to the religious journals at a small cost. Even the hiring of professional publicity men to plug one or another preacher or religious movement is no longer uncommon; the mail is stuffed with circulars and releases, while radio and television join to tell the listening public what religious people are doing throughout the world.Greater publicity for religion may be well and I have no fault to find with it. Surely religion should be the most newsworthy thing on earth, and there may be some small encouragement in the thought that vast numbers of persons want to read about it. What disturbs me is that, amidst all the religious hubbub, hardly a voice is raised to tell us what God thinks about the whole thing.[/i][url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?viewmode=flat&order=0&topic_id=1778&forum=23&post_id=&refresh=Go] Prophetic Insight[/url] A.W. TozerFrom 2004It would be great to dig up some of these old treasures, these first inceptions of SermonIndex and read them again with fresh eyes, open ears and considering hearts.
I was thinking back on this earlier and I felt to say that this forum has been a success due to the prayer and wisdom of our moderators.Honestly. I've seen some other forums and this one by far has taken me in a deeper relationship with Christ.Other forums would fight and it would get out of hand and the moderators never really helped keep the unity of the Body but these, not only correct/rebuke/encourage they PRAY for the forum and the fellowship. It's VERY evident that there is prayer coming into this ministry and I praise God for that because your leaning on His Spirit and not your own wisdom.If the Spirit left this forum then the forum would cease. This is a compliment. Because I think it was Tozer who said, "If the Spirit left our churches 95% of what we do would continue on." Well, I say that this website is that 5%. The one that is set apart and led by God Himself.Praise God!
It would be great to dig up some of these old treasures, these first inceptions of SermonIndex and read them again with fresh eyes, open ears and considering hearts.
Brother this would be a worthwhile project on both our parts to review and dig up some great posts and threads from the past. It is great to think of some of the intial discussions on the site. They had such a sense of not-knowing humility yet earnest heart-searching for the truth. It seems back then we had more "time" to think and read. We need to get back to that slower pace discussions that carry on for weeks with thoughtful provoking statements and responses.I am sure to review these old posts will be a challange to us all.
If the Spirit left this forum then the forum would cease.
Some pastors recommended to me not to have a life-communication tool such as the discussion forums on a site with all these sermons, one of the major fears of the pastors that spoke to me was the fact that the discussions on the site could take away from the sermons and even discredit them to many people viewing the site.
_________________Lisa
100,000 forum posts?!?This is quite amazing! I typically read much more than I write. Often, I find myself encouraged by things that are often overlooked in the forums. It seems that the more doctrinally controversial topics often obtain the most forum discussion. However, there are some great treasures to be found in even forum threads that garnered only three or four responses. I must admit that I have been blessed by the discussion and diversity found on SermonIndex. Proverbs tells us that there is safety in a "multitude of counsellors" (Proverbs 11:14). I believe that this comes through the consideration of a diversity of opinion. There are matters of faith in which we can all be certain. Hebrews chapter 6 lays these indisputable issues out plainly. However, there are many things in which we can learn from one another -- even when we disagree. This diversity of opinion (but singleness of mind) is one of the greatest strengths of the SermonIndex forum community. Congratulations, SermonIndex, on reaching this milestone! There has been much seed planted as a result. It is my prayer that this seed will produce a great and good harvest! :-)
_________________Christopher