Pastor’s Blog 6.20.18
As I travel and see and hear the condition of the Body of Christ, I have noticed how “heavy on opinion and light on scripture”, many preachers have become. This is a day when the word of God, as final authority of good and evil, has been compromised by the “emerging church movement.” The Lord has confirmed to me over and over that it is part of my calling to keep enforcing the “word of truth” over the opinion of pop culture.
I hear very few messages today being preached out of the Epistles, and I believe this is part of the reason why the church has fallen so far from moral righteousness. The Gospels of Christ tell us the “what” of the Kingdom of God and the Epistles tell us the “how”. The Lord told us what love is and the Epistles tell us how to love in deed and in truth. They tell us how to apply the truth to real life, relational situations, and are salted with real life crises in the early church and how they were resolved.
How to deal with sinning “brethren” is described in great detail as church government is explained by the writers. Almost every page of the Epistles describe that sin practices have to be confronted, what attitude they are to be confronted in, and where they are to be confronted here’s a prime example:
Titus 1:10-16
10 The Elders’ Task For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. 15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. NKJV
Paul warned his young protege’ Timothy about staying the course, and I think some preachers should get back to reading the Bible and turning off the pop culture theology messages! Another example:
2 Timothy 2:15-26
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. NKJV
The Bible is very clear on these subjects. We must keep our focus on the Word of God, the principles laid out in the Word, and not be swayed by man’s opinion or the pop culture of our society. Let’s become students of the word so we will always know God’s truth and not be swayed by the deceptive practices of the “good gospel” instead of God’s Gospel!
Have a Bible filled week!
- Date - June 20, 2018
- Author - David Chisholm
