In this sermon, I help prepare people who feel they may have to leave their local fellowship for something better.
Why might you leave a church?
Because you find it’s not a godly fellowship. A church of God is:
- Full of love and good works
- Helps you to hold on to your faith
- Encourages you to stay out of sin
Possible reasons to leave…
- There’s little love (no respect, kindness, honesty, or humility)
- Abuse (spiritually, sexually, or physically)
- False doctrines are taught
- Unrepentant sin
- No support for your offenses
Remember: Pastors, teachers, and prophets are responsible for the atmosphere of a church. If it’s toxic, the leaders are toxic.
Also, the word translated “church” actually means: “called out ones”—people who were called out from the world (1 Peter 2:9). So, if the vast majority of local churches or people around are worldly, that’s not a church of God.
How do you leave?
- Pray for confirmation & strength
- Overcome objections
- Write a letter to notify people (if you feel led)
- Prepare for persecution
Why is finding a godly fellowship so hard today?
God foretold this would happen. We are in the final days:
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron … (1 Timothy 4:1-2).
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears (2 Timothy 4:3).
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
10 … because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thessalonians 2:10b-12).
We also read: 2 Corinthians 11:2-4 where it talks about a counterfeit Jesus, gospel and Holy Spirit. Finally, we’re told to leave such places:
Come away from her, my people. Do not take part in her sins, or you will be punished with her (Revelation 18:4).
This ministry is no longer in service. I left the Christian faith and no longer agree with some of the content posted here. However, this website will remain available for archive purposes. Read the details in my last post.
