The article you shared really speaks to an issue many believers feel but don’t always say out loud. A system, no matter how big or impressive, can never produce true disciples only Jesus can. The early church grew not because of structures but because ordinary men and women walked closely with Christ and obeyed Him fully Jesus never said, “Attend Me,” but “Follow Me,” because discipleship is not a program, it’s a surrendered life. The danger today is that systems can make people comfortable without making them Christlike. They create spectators instead of followers, consumers instead of servants, hearers of the Word instead of doers. James warned us about that when he said, Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves”(James1:22). True discipleship requires daily dying to self, carrying the cross, loving sacrificially, and obeying even when it costs us something. Jesus said, By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John13:35). A system cannot teach that kind of love only the Holy Spirit can. And Paul reminded Timothy that real discipleship is relational and generational The things that thou hast heard of me… commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also (2Timothy2:2). The church today doesn’t need more machinery it needs more men and women fully yielded to the Lord, willing to walk the narrow path regardless of who applauds or who follows. At the end of the day, Jesus will not ask whether we supported a system, but whether we obeyed His voice, made disciples, and lived the life He commanded. May God help us to be the kind of disciples who reflect His heart and reproduce His life in others, not the kind who only fit comfortably into religious structures.
Thank you Sergio! Keep writing! Your writings are reaching a deep recess in my heart and putting language to something I feel has been missing in my walk! My eyes are being opened to the man made structure of the American church and I’m feeling the discontentment of the production. However, I struggle with the verse of “not forsaking the gathering of the saints.” How do you walk this out? Do you have a house church where everyone gets to share, what do you do outside of your individual time with The Lord? Seeking answers.
That Acts 2:42 kind of life is honestly hard to find in the modern church world, but I’ve been really blessed: I have a handful of believers in my life (from different congregations, and sometimes in-between congregations) who still take community seriously.
We don’t just “do small group.” We share meals, spend real time together, open the Scriptures, pray, encourage each other, and we also serve — together — in different places.
To be blunt, I’ve gotten more real fellowship in a homeless shelter than I ever have in a large, polished church service. Because the “gathering” Hebrews talks about isn’t a production we attend — it’s all about the people we don’t abandon.
And here’s a strange irony I’ve learned the hard way: the more you actually let the Bible say what it says — in context — the less popular you can become in conventional church circles. Not because you’re trying to be difficult, but because Scripture starts challenging the unspoken traditions, the celebrity culture, and the “keep it positive” vibe. Some people love that. Others quietly back away.
If you’re stepping back from the machine, don’t isolate. Build (or join) a small circle where love, obedience, encouragement, and service are actually happening — even if it’s smaller, slower, and less impressive.
And yet, here we are, and the circus continues unchecked, the message unheard. Every individual believer, continually encouraged and made comfortable with the status quo in the modern protestant church, thinks their church is fine…they are fine…”Who is this critic even talking about?”
Another thoughtful and well argued piece. Would be curious to hear your take on how the modern “church membership” structures that every church seems so eager to push fits into this discussion (or doesn’t.)
Aways knew before and after being saved there was no middle person but the way you had properly taught here in. The main layman’s method has just been given so as to benefit the sheep at which I have not seen for many years but the other methods you spoke of that finally has caused many to go into the ditch with no insight or understanding that would change the heart. Well done. Honestly and hopefully many sheep will read and read again and consider such. Good day
The article you shared really speaks to an issue many believers feel but don’t always say out loud. A system, no matter how big or impressive, can never produce true disciples only Jesus can. The early church grew not because of structures but because ordinary men and women walked closely with Christ and obeyed Him fully Jesus never said, “Attend Me,” but “Follow Me,” because discipleship is not a program, it’s a surrendered life. The danger today is that systems can make people comfortable without making them Christlike. They create spectators instead of followers, consumers instead of servants, hearers of the Word instead of doers. James warned us about that when he said, Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves”(James1:22). True discipleship requires daily dying to self, carrying the cross, loving sacrificially, and obeying even when it costs us something. Jesus said, By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John13:35). A system cannot teach that kind of love only the Holy Spirit can. And Paul reminded Timothy that real discipleship is relational and generational The things that thou hast heard of me… commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also (2Timothy2:2). The church today doesn’t need more machinery it needs more men and women fully yielded to the Lord, willing to walk the narrow path regardless of who applauds or who follows. At the end of the day, Jesus will not ask whether we supported a system, but whether we obeyed His voice, made disciples, and lived the life He commanded. May God help us to be the kind of disciples who reflect His heart and reproduce His life in others, not the kind who only fit comfortably into religious structures.
Powerful…
Wow. Everything you write makes me think. Thanks Sergio.
I'm on a quest for knowledge and wisdom. I've discovered some wonderful people such as yourself who are guiding my path! I'm blessed beyond measure!
Thank you Sergio! Keep writing! Your writings are reaching a deep recess in my heart and putting language to something I feel has been missing in my walk! My eyes are being opened to the man made structure of the American church and I’m feeling the discontentment of the production. However, I struggle with the verse of “not forsaking the gathering of the saints.” How do you walk this out? Do you have a house church where everyone gets to share, what do you do outside of your individual time with The Lord? Seeking answers.
Kelly, thank you so much for the kind words!
That Acts 2:42 kind of life is honestly hard to find in the modern church world, but I’ve been really blessed: I have a handful of believers in my life (from different congregations, and sometimes in-between congregations) who still take community seriously.
We don’t just “do small group.” We share meals, spend real time together, open the Scriptures, pray, encourage each other, and we also serve — together — in different places.
To be blunt, I’ve gotten more real fellowship in a homeless shelter than I ever have in a large, polished church service. Because the “gathering” Hebrews talks about isn’t a production we attend — it’s all about the people we don’t abandon.
And here’s a strange irony I’ve learned the hard way: the more you actually let the Bible say what it says — in context — the less popular you can become in conventional church circles. Not because you’re trying to be difficult, but because Scripture starts challenging the unspoken traditions, the celebrity culture, and the “keep it positive” vibe. Some people love that. Others quietly back away.
If you’re stepping back from the machine, don’t isolate. Build (or join) a small circle where love, obedience, encouragement, and service are actually happening — even if it’s smaller, slower, and less impressive.
That’s the true New Testament pattern :)
Sergio, thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I truly appreciate it!
Wouldn't have it any other way, Kelly, thank you!
And yet, here we are, and the circus continues unchecked, the message unheard. Every individual believer, continually encouraged and made comfortable with the status quo in the modern protestant church, thinks their church is fine…they are fine…”Who is this critic even talking about?”
Another thoughtful and well argued piece. Would be curious to hear your take on how the modern “church membership” structures that every church seems so eager to push fits into this discussion (or doesn’t.)
😊 https://www.sergiodesoto.com/p/the-truth-about-why-your-pastor-really?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Aways knew before and after being saved there was no middle person but the way you had properly taught here in. The main layman’s method has just been given so as to benefit the sheep at which I have not seen for many years but the other methods you spoke of that finally has caused many to go into the ditch with no insight or understanding that would change the heart. Well done. Honestly and hopefully many sheep will read and read again and consider such. Good day
Under the "principalities, the powers, the worldly governors, the princes of darkness of this world," no wise man would be allowed to lead a congregation--only Luciferians. Candace Owens has said as much (https://candaceowens.com/video/from-britney-to-charlie-with-pastors-like-these-who-needs-enemies-candace-ep-265/)
"President Carter Was a Satanist" https://dianabarahona.substack.com/p/president-carter-was-a-satanist
"Mormons crucify 7-year-olds at a Lutheran church in Denmark" https://dianabarahona.substack.com/p/mormons-crucify-7-year-olds-at-a
"Foreign Powers Occupying the U.S." https://dianabarahona.substack.com/p/foreign-powers-occupying-the-us
"CIA-Controlled Mexican Church Involved in International Child Sex Trafficking" https://realrawnews.substack.com/p/cia-controlled-mexican-church-involved
"Philippine Cult Leader Apollo Quiboloy Arrested for Sexual Abuse & Human Trafficking" https://realrawnews.substack.com/p/philippine-cult-leader-apollo-quilboloy
Wisdom creates obedience.
Information fills the mind.
Knowledge shapes the person.
But wisdom is when the truth you’ve learned actually governs how you live.
In Scripture, wisdom isn’t brilliance — it’s alignment.
It’s your life bending to God’s ways so thoroughly that righteousness becomes instinct, not effort.
That’s the part modern Christianity skips.
And it’s why we have informed believers, educated believers, inspired believers…
but very few obedient ones.
Love the depth in your question btw...
Thank you Sergio friend. Fruit is the evidence.