The Apostle Paul, when writing to Timothy, wrote, "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:15).
The Lord's New Testament church is the "pillar and ground of the truth". The church is responsible for contending for the faith, upholding truth. In these days it seems that pillars are cracking and the ground is unstable. Instead of standing firm and supporting the truth many churches are falling away from the truth.
Why is this happening? Why are we allowing the truth to fall?
1. We seek entertainment over the "foolishness" of preaching
2. We seek excitement over reverence
3. We seek experience over worship
4. We self serve instead of sacrifice
The Lord called and commisisoned His church to preach the gospel, baptize the saved, and train up disciples. When the Lord's churches forsake the commission they are forsaking the work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Preachers be warned. There was a certain king who lead Israel into idolatry. This king was taken captive; while in captivity he repented from his evil and God restored him to his kingdom. When the king returned he attempted to compel Israel to stop worshipping idols. He made some changes, destroyed some things that hindered the people. Then comes the oh so true words concerning apostasy, "Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places,..." (2 Chronicles 33:17).
Apostasy is a one way street; once you are on the road it only leads further away from the truth. Some may say, well preacher I don't teach apostasy and our church doesn't either. Praise the Lord; I must, however, propose this question,Where does apostasy begin?
Apostasy doesn't begin with the total abandonment of the truth but subtly sneaks its way into churches that seek excitement and entertainment; into churches that believe that their must be something more--this is what Satan used against Eve.
The Lord's New Testament churches are the pillars and ground of the truth. Let us keep truth in the Lord's churches. Let us stand and proclaim it in these last days. Let the thrill seekers find their excitement in the false religions of the world, but let the Lord's churches offer the truth. It is the truth that sets men free, not entertainment and excitement.
LLL
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Keep preaching brother.
ReplyDeleteAmen brother, I've been so discouraged because we've lost some members because they think the lack of entertaining emotion is a lack of the Spirit.
ReplyDeleteBut if we allow all the negatives to get us down, we'll all be most miserable.
We've only lost a few, but it is still a few. Lord help me to see the encouragement given by the majority who show up at Faith, every service, humbled and reverent to give God the glory and worship that He deserves.
Bro. Tim
ReplyDeleteYou are not the only one who has lost people because you did not go in for all the "seeker sensitive programs." So keep on keeping on and preach the Word. "Preach Jesus and Him crucified, the only one who can forgive our sins, the only way of eternal salvation?
You think it's bad down in ARK, LA, Tex, and OKLA etc. Come up here to the Mountain West and try it. We just don't have too many Landmark Missionary Baptists up here in WY, Mont, SD, NEB, COLO. etc. Pray that God would send more Sound Preachers up here.
jll2
Gillette, WY
Brother Luscious, you hit the nail on the head.
ReplyDeleteI heard a wise older preacher say you get there by making certain choices. Some ABA churches are making wrong choices in entertainment, literature and youth work. God help us to make even the smallest of choices the right ones without varying to the right or to the left.
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