Chip Brogden CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS

Hi Elaine,

Jesus entered Jerusalem, weeping over the judgment that would come upon it.

At the heart of this judgment was the religious system - that whole Temple-based worship of God, controlled by multiple layers of religious authority: chief priests, scribe, elders, Pharisees, and Sadducees.

Jesus did not endorse their system of worship; instead, He exposed it as a hypocritical sham.

What a shock it must have been to realize that this religion about God had become more important than God Himself.

Traditions of men were more important than Love, Light, and Life.

Indeed, this religious system sought to destroy the Son of God, and successfully betrayed Him to the Romans for crucifixion.

Amazingly, Christianity is doing (has done) the same thing that Judaism did.

But, whereas Judaism only dominated one small nation and one small city, Christianity (or as I like to say, "Churchianity") dominates billions of people and is currently the largest religion on earth.

And yet, this Religion About Jesus has become more important than a Relationship With Jesus.

So how can we read about God's judgment on Judaism and think that God's won't judge Churchianity?

Hopefully, we will learn the lessons recorded for us in Scripture and not make the same mistakes.

THE STONE REJECTED
Thursday, October 24, 2019
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible

Thank you for supporting Christ-centered teaching.

I am your brother,


Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

P.S. Interesting how Jesus did not try to save Jerusalem from destruction, but warned His people to get out and don't look back. What was for them a literal fulfillment is for us a spiritual warning. But is anyone listening?

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Hi Elaine,

Jesus entered Jerusalem, weeping over the judgment that would come upon it.

At the heart of this judgment was the religious system - that whole Temple-based worship of God, controlled by multiple layers of religious authority: chief priests, scribe, elders, Pharisees, and Sadducees.

Jesus did not endorse their system of worship; instead, He exposed it as a hypocritical sham.

What a shock it must have been to realize that this religion about God had become more important than God Himself.

Traditions of men were more important than Love, Light, and Life.

Indeed, this religious system sought to destroy the Son of God, and successfully betrayed Him to the Romans for crucifixion.

Amazingly, Christianity is doing (has done) the same thing that Judaism did.

But, whereas Judaism only dominated one small nation and one small city, Christianity (or as I like to say, "Churchianity") dominates billions of people and is currently the largest religion on earth.

And yet, this Religion About Jesus has become more important than a Relationship With Jesus.

So how can we read about God's judgment on Judaism and think that God's won't judge Churchianity?

Hopefully, we will learn the lessons recorded for us in Scripture and not make the same mistakes.

THE STONE REJECTED
Thursday, October 24, 2019
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible

Thank you for supporting Christ-centered teaching.

I am your brother,


Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com



P.S. Interesting how Jesus did not try to save Jerusalem from destruction, but warned His people to get out and don't look back. What was for them a literal fulfillment is for us a spiritual warning. But is anyone listening?

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Enter the Kingdom
by Chip Brogden
We live in a day of easy-believism. According to the way today’s church operates, it is very easy to be saved. All we have to do is make a confession, or repeat a prayer, or make a decision, or respond to an altar call.  
 
In stark contrast to the conditions which exist in our day, Jesus frankly tells us that few will be saved, and few will find Life. When we read what Jesus Himself has to say we have to come to the conclusion that some within Organized Religion are guilty of trying to make the narrow gate and the narrow path into the wide gate and the wide path. We have become excellent salespeople and know how to use our powers of persuasion. We have become good at arguing our viewpoints. We are skilled at manipulating the emotions of other people. Those who know how can lead many people to the Lord – at least, according to the outward appearance.

It behooves us to go back to what the Lord Himself says, and we believe we have found at least seven occurrences in the Scriptures (beyond the two cited above) which seem to indicate that the way to Life is anything but easy. By the time we are concluded with our examination we will understand why Jesus says few are able to enter into the Kingdom. In the first place, the Kingdom is more profound than we have been taught. In the second place, the Way which leads us into the Kingdom is more narrow than we have been taught. By the grace of God let us ask the Lord enlighten us so that we will not go on deceiving or being deceived...
READ THIS ARTICLE
https://www.chipbrogden.com/enter-the-kingdom/
 

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Hi Elaine,

We still have room for you at tonight's online Bible study:

JESUS WEEPS OVER JERUSALEM
Thursday, October 17, 2019
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible

Hope to "see" you there!


I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com
PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Hi Elaine,

The Bible records only two instances when Jesus wept.

One was after Lazarus died, when He wept at their unbelief.

The other was as He entered Jerusalem, when He wept at its failure to repent.

That was the "triumphal entry" where everyone else shouted Hosanna and was praising God.

It seems like an odd moment to be sad.

It seems like everyone "accepted" Him.

But in less than week, they would crucify Him.

Could a similar thing be happening now, before His return?

Join us as we begin studying the final week of Jesus' earthly ministry.

JESUS WEEPS OVER JERUSALEM
Thursday, October 17, 2019
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible

Thank you for supporting Christ-centered teaching.

I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Family, Fellowship and Leadership
by Chip Brogden
This is how Religion gets a foothold – we become concerned with the outward elements, like meetings: how to meet, what to do when we meet, who’s in charge, blah blah blah blah blah.  
 
Would you agree that everyone has different ideas on those things?  It’s really no different than talking about what color should the carpet in the sanctuary be – red, or blue?  Who cares?  So when people focus on fellowship as a verb, that’s what you get.  And it isn’t profitable to your spiritual life to become consumed with those things.  We will never get agreement on them, and everyone tends to identify with the groups that most closely resemble what they think the “ideal” meeting or fellowship is supposed to look like.
 
Let me tell you how I view the Body of Christ, and then you’ll understand how I view fellowship, and then you’ll understand how I view leadership.  My thoughts can be summed up in three points...
READ THIS ARTICLE
 https://www.chipbrogden.com/family-fellowship-and-leadership/
PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Hi Elaine,

During tonight's online Bible study we'll discuss one of the great mysteries of life:

The mystery of unanswered prayer.

Or, answers to prayer that seem to take forever to arrive.

We'll look at some reasons why that may be and how we might respond to it.

Among other things.

PERSEVERANCE AND HUMILITY
Thursday, October 10, 2019
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible


Hope to "see" you tonight!

I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Hi Elaine,

We still have room for you on tonight's Online Bible Study:

FORGIVENESS, FAITH, AND THE FUTURE
Thursday, October 3, 2019
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible

One of the things we'll cover is how Jesus responded to His disciples when they said, "Lord, increase our faith!"

Very interesting. Don't miss it!


I am your brother,


Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Hi Elaine,

Some of the greatest prayers in the Bible are also the shortest:

"Lord, save me!"

"Lord I believe; help my unbelief!"

"Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

"God be merciful to me, a sinner!"

"My Lord and My God!"

These deep heart-cries activate something I like to call the Divine Mystery of Forgiveness.

Forgiveness is a powerful, disruptive spiritual force.

Disruptive, because it breaks the cycle of violence and arrests the returning of evil for evil.

God demonstrates it by forgiving us first, releasing salvation and healing.

Then, once we have experienced God's forgiveness, we can extend that forgiveness to others.

Someone has said that unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person will die.

Remember: Those who deserve mercy the least are the ones who need it the most.

And somewhere in there we find you and me - all of us have gone astray, turned aside, fallen short, missed the mark.

Some more than others, true.

But our message is that failure isn't fatal; where sin abounds, grace abounds even more.

This impacts you on every level... it affects every relationship you have: past, present and future.

Learning to give and receive forgiveness is not just about the other person, but about healing yourself so you can move on.

Powerful principles that we'll explore in this week's online Bible study:

FORGIVENESS, FAITH, AND THE FUTURE
Thursday, October 3, 2019
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible


Thank you for supporting Christ-centered teaching.


I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

God's Saving Judgments:
A Fresh Look
by Chip Brogden
 "For the Lord will not cast off for ever:
but though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He does not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men."
(Lam. 3:31-33)
 
We may have difficulty reconciling the image of a brokenhearted God Who wants to restore the nations with One Who sends a flood to destroy the earth and rains down fire on cities like Sodom and Gomorrah. How do we explain the many passages of Scripture which refer to God’s judgment on the nations and His wrath towards sinners? Does the Bible contradict itself, or have we simply failed to interpret it correctly?
READ THIS ARTICLE
https://www.chipbrogden.com/gods-saving-judgments-a-fresh-look/

7 Kingdom Misconceptions
by Chip Brogden | Christ & The Kingdom of God, Featured
The interesting thing about secular history is it constantly repeats itself. Spiritual history is no different. The Christian Religion is following a parallel path to the Jewish Religion and will suffer the same fate.
 
Just like Israel of old, Institutional Christianity has given up its pursuit of the Irresistible Kingdom of God, and forsaken the Heavenly Order of things where Christ is Head; instead, they have set their sights on political power, wealth, and position.
 
Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. So far we Christians have done an excellent job of duplicating and perpetuating the same old Jewish misconceptions, even adding a few interesting twists to further compound the error...
READ THIS ARTICLE
 https://www.chipbrogden.com/7-kingdom-misconceptions/

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Hey Elaine,

If you haven't registered for tonight's online Bible study there's still time:

TRUE AND FALSE PROSPERITY
Thursday, September 19, 2019
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible

Looking forward to "seeing" you online!


I am your brother,


Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com




PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Hey Elaine,
 
Please pardon the interruption as I write you a personal email on a Sunday.
 
Even though I haven’t gone to church in over 20 years, and even though I have no legalistic obligation to Sunday as a day more special or holy than the other six, I work hard six days a week and I like to unplug myself on Sunday and try to think and do as little as possible.
 
I usually schedule an article to go out on Sunday because most people have the weekend off, and quite a few of them do see Sunday as a day of rest; or at least, they are more likely to think about spiritual things on Sunday morning compared to Monday morning, when they have to get up and get out into work or school.
 
But today, instead of an article, I thought I would write you an email instead - to talk about TWO THINGS.

FIRST, I just completed something that is long overdue, which is a getting my first big book – The Irresistible Kingdom – back in print on Amazon.
Image
It went out of print two or three years ago and I noticed one day, as I was browsing around Amazon, that some huckster was selling an out-of-print copy of my book for almost $1,000. I don’t know who is crazier – the person trying to sell it for $1,000 or the person who might actually pay that much for it.

I had wanted to do an updated edition of the book for the last two years, but when I saw that craziness happening on Amazon, I was motivated to get this book back into print and available to “whosoever will."

I made a few changes in the book, but not huge changes – and if you already read the previous edition of this book then you may not care about this new edition. At 413 pages, it’s a little bigger. It’s got an awesome new cover (which I love), and a new chapter (which I also love). 

I also added a second preface so I could address a few controversies that came up when the first edition was published in 2007. Has it really been 12 years? I reckon it has. Where does the time go, anyway? 

I’m still writing and working on new projects, but I’m so happy to make this one available again because the Kingdom of God, if taught at all, is often misunderstood. I hope that by making this book available in print again it will rekindle something that may be missing in how we see Jesus and the irresistible, unstoppable, unfailing love of God. 

The book is needed because I fear that too many people see Jesus as the One with all the love and compassion and see Our Father as full of wrath and judgment. We have religion to thank for that terrible image of an angry God. That portrayal of God is unfortunate, unnecessary, and inaccurate; for God is the One Who so loved the world that He delivered up His Son as the saving sacrifice for all; and His Son, Jesus, is the perfect representation of His Father’s heart.

In many ways I feel like I have only just begun to write, because I feel like I have only just begun to understand certain things well enough to write about them. 

SECOND THING: in view of all the above, let me very clear: I am following Jesus imperfectly, the same as anyone else. Just because I write and teach doesn’t mean I’ve got all the answers or that I have everything all figured out. I am figuring it out as I write and teach to the best of His ability in me.

You know, we live in an always-connected social media world where everyone seems to portray themselves as “with it” and always having their act together. We don’t post unflattering photos of ourselves or talk about our REAL struggles and difficulties too often.

In my case, being hurt by Christians – literally from the time I was 13 years old to right now, at the age of 48 - makes me reluctant to share anything with anyone. I don’t even ask for prayer (although I appreciate it when people say they pray for us). This is not about trying to make myself look better than I really am – it’s a defense mechanism, pure and simple. 

All of that to say: We all have faults. We all follow Jesus imperfectly. All of us struggle with something. We all experience doubt, fear, and frustration. If you feel that way sometimes then welcome to the club. It doesn’t mean you’re inferior or unspiritual; it just means you’re human.

The good news is “being human” cannot stop you from following Jesus – actually, being human is one of the basic requirements. Because He isn’t calling on perfect, super-spiritual people to learn of Him and be His disciples. He calls ordinary, flawed, wounded, weak people like you and me to follow Him however imperfectly we can with what light we have and what strength He gives. It’s up to the Shepherd to feed, watch over and protect the sheep so He can take them from where they are to where He wants them to be. The sheep can’t figure all this out on their own. That’s kind of the point.

Thank you for reading this far and for allowing me the privilege of speaking into your life once or twice a week. I will continue to do so for as long as God allows, and for as long as you care to read and listen.
 
I am your brother,
 
Chip Brogden
 
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VIEW THE BOOK ON AMAZON
 https://www.amazon.com/Irresistible-Kingdom-Marvelous-Unavoidable-Fulfillment/dp/1688723803

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Hi Elaine!

How does that old hymn go?

"I once was lost, but now... I've forgotten what that was like!"

"Was blind, but now... I'm better than the rest still blind!"

No, of course that's not how it goes - but that's how some Christians THINK.

We sometimes forget that it is God's AMAZING GRACE (not our amazing faith or our amazing decision) that saved us.

Join us for tonight's Bible study as we consider what it means to be Lost from the Savior's perspective...

LOST AND FOUND
Thursday, September 12, 2019
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible

Thank you for supporting Christ-centered teaching.

I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Hi Elaine!

Imagine a sinking ship...

Some passengers are rescued, while others are still trapped...

Rescue efforts are still underway...

And the passengers who are saved begin to think (1) they are superior to the ones still needing to be saved and (2) the ones not saved chose to be lost.

Isn't that stupid?

Who would think that way?

Well, a lot of Christians think that way when it comes to who is and who isn't saved.

That's why I am so thankful that JESUS CHRIST (literally, "Anointed Savior") is not relying on Christians to save the world.

What do I mean by that?

Simply that Jesus Himself is actively seeking and saving the lost (Lk. 19:10)!

Meaning, Jesus isn't sitting around, waiting to see if someone will believe in Him or not, waiting for you and me to grow up, get over ourselves, and share the Good News with someone today.

If you are saved at all it is because Jesus sought you out and saved you - in spite of yourself.

You didn't seek Him; He sought you!

You didn't find Him; He found you!

You didn't choose Him; He chose you!

You didn't "decide to accept Him;" He drew you to Himself by His Spirit and said, "You are accepted in the Beloved!"

It's not about what you did and what someone else hasn't done; it's about what He has done!

So what are we boasting about?


The rescue operation is ongoing, and He won't stop until He finds them all and saves them all.

Find that hard to believe?

It's because we don't know the Word, we don't know His heart, and we are too quick to give up.

With 99 sheep safely in the fold, we think one lost sheep isn't worth the bother.

But not Him.

Because we fail, His Love never fails.

And Jesus, the Lord of Love, gave us three parables to illustrate His unfailing love for the Lost - and to warn "the saved" not to think they are superior.

We'll discuss those three parables during this week's online Bible study...

LOST AND FOUND
Thursday, September 12, 2019
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible


Thank you for supporting Christ-centered teaching.


I am your brother,


Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Desiring Christ
by Chip Brogden
How much of our praying, interceding, asking, knocking, seeking, searching, and hoping is done with a view towards getting God to do what WE want Him to do?
 
I am afraid that we take this approach with God: we carefully analyze the situation, determine what we want to see come to pass, look up the appropriate Bible verses, go to God and tell Him exactly what we want to happen and by when, and then become anxious if He fails to answer us according to our own thought.
 
Brothers and sisters, this is not the way we should approach the Lord. Many are the instances in which mere humans tried to instruct the Lord Jesus, rebuked Him, found fault with His way of doing and saying things, questioned His methods, and argued with Him. Let us not fall into the same trap. For the Lord knows His business, and does not need to be instructed by us. Instead, we must follow His instruction and allow Him to become our only Desire. Then our praying and asking amiss will cease...
READ THIS ARTICLE https://www.chipbrogden.com/desiring-christ/
 

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Hi Elaine,

Yes, we're having the Bible study tonight - even though we're expecting lots of wind and rain from the hurricane.

Join us live by registering below:

COUNT THE COST
Thursday, September 5, 2019
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible

I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

 


 

Hi Elaine,

I can't tell you how many times I've heard preachers talk about Jesus warning sinners about judgment.

All His parables are interpreted to mean the Christians go to heaven and the sinners go to hell.

Hogwash, pure and simple.

Because if you study the context of these warnings you find that Jesus is not talking about sinners (the way we define them), but hypocrites.

Yes!

Jesus never threatened sinners with fiery doom.

But hypocrites?

That's a different story.

All the parables, warnings, and threats Jesus made of coming judgment were against Israel in general and the religious leaders in particular.

Sinners who admit they are sinners are welcome; religious hypocrites who pretend to be better than the rest are cast out.

It's so obvious it's embarrassing, but you won't find many people talking about it.

This week's chapter, for example.

The people "weeping and gnashing" their teeth are not the sinners and unbelievers, but the hypocrites who reject Jesus so they can cling to their religion.

Meanwhile, all the "sinners" and "Gentile dogs" are coming in from the east, west, north, and south to sit down in the Kingdom of God!

That's why the hypocrites are gnashing their teeth - it's not fair, they say!

The ones you think least worthy will receive a great welcome, and the ones who think they are most worthy will be left outside in the dark.

Now, this applies not just to Israel, but to you and me - if we take the same religious attitude that they took.

In fact, I think Churchianity today far exceeds the religious hypocrisy of first century Judaism.

But see what you think as we consider this in the context of this week's teaching...

OUGHT NOT THIS WOMAN BE LOOSED?
Thursday, August 22, 2019
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible

Thank you for supporting Christ-centered teaching.


I am your brother,


Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Hi Elaine,

There's room for you at tonight's Bible study, starting in a few hours.

NOT PEACE, BUT DIVISION
Thursday, August 15, 2019
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register (if you haven't already):
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible

Hope you can join us :-)


I am your brother,


Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Hi Elaine,

Last week we discussed how disillusionment is a good thing.

The whole world is living in an illusion - a false reality.

And by "the whole world" I include the Religious World, including many of God's people, who have a lot of illusions about God that are not true.

Jesus devoted a great deal of His earthly ministry to dis-illusioning religious folks, even His own disciples.

Have you experienced that?

God not speaking / acting / answering you the way you expect?

If so, you know it can be an uncomfortable experience.

That's why, when people say, "I'm so disillusioned!" we try to encourage them.

We see it as something negative they need to get over.

But I say, "Blessed are the disillusioned!"

Isn't that what you want - to get over your illusion and see what's real?

Or do you prefer the comfortable illusion?

That is part of the tension we see in the Gospels.

They expect the Messiah to be a certain way, but Jesus is different from what they expect.

He completely dis-illusioned them!

Not too different from today.

Jesus just can't please everybody - and they need to be disillusioned!

Will you be part of that great dis-illusionment of coming to the Light, or will you remain in the illusion of Darkness?

Will you have spiritual fact or religious fiction?

That is what Jesus compels us to consider.

We'll look at this more closely in this week's study...

NOT PEACE, BUT DIVISION
Thursday, August 15, 2019
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible

Thank you for supporting Christ-centered teaching.


I am your brother,


Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

What Could Be Greater Than Truth?
by Chip Brogden
Is it possible that we are making assumptions about sharing truth that are incorrect?  
 
Perhaps the time is wrong, the people are wrong, or even we are wrong. Perhaps the truth is correct but the way we go about sharing it is so misguided that it does more damage than the error we think we are correcting – we become the proverbial sledgehammer trying to swat a mosquito on someone’s nose. Perhaps we need to spend more time living the truth and less time sharing it or explaining it to others. Perhaps that truth is meant for us and for us alone. Perhaps all we should do is just pray about it instead of preaching it to others. Perhaps we have become a little too invested in the whole idea of being specialized experts in exposing everything we think is wrong with everyone and everything else. Perhaps that is just a way of deflecting attention from the things we need to correct in ourselves.


But let’s take a step back. What if “truth” is not the main thing after all? What could be greater than truth? 
READ THIS ARTICLE
https://www.chipbrogden.com/what-could-be-greater-than-truth/


PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Hi Elaine,

If you haven't registered for tonight's online Bible study, there's still time:

AS IN HEAVEN, SO IN EARTH
Thursday, August 8, 2019
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible
If you've ever wondered why "evil" exists, who's responsible for it, and how it will ultimately be dealt with, then you don't want to miss this teaching.

Hope to "see" you there

I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com
PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA