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judgement65
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Joined: 2005/4/16
Posts: 14


 Whatever happened???

Repentance must always begin in the house of God. Doubtless the best place for it to start is with those of us who preach. Let us examine some errors of preaching that stand in the way of revival.
Preaching That is Man-Centered. All of us, by our very natures, are lovers of self more than lovers of God, and lovers of sin more than lovers of righteousness. True gospel preaching exposes the wickedness of this self-orientation and calls its hearers to radical conversion. It is only through a genuine Christian conversion that a thorough change of heart and life occurs, enabling one to keep the great commandments of Christ: loving God with all one's heart, soul, mind and strength and one's neighbor as oneself (Mark 12:29-31).
Man-centered preaching cannot result in radical conversion. Tragically, the preaching which characterizes much of today's pulpit activity wallows in the weakness of pandering to perceived needs which are ordinarily dramatically different from true needs. For instance, many of those who are clamoring for acceptance really need repentance, and multitudes who come to church for comfort need to be severely discomfited and awakened out of their lethal slumbering.
In a day when multitudes have over-loaded on self-love, man-centered preaching only fortifies man in his lost state. It may add a modicum of religion to his life, even a proof-text assurance of faith to which he vainly clings, but it does not bring those who hear into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
Every preacher is in danger of telling his people what they want to hear. The motives for doing so are numerous, including larger paychecks, greater applause, and easier circumstances. If the preacher is called by men, he may sensibly give those who called him what they want, but what if the preacher is called by God? How can he dare speak less than all the truth of God?
Every genuine revival constitutes a return of people to God. Thus, any preaching that is not God-centered that does not lift up and exalt the God of the Bible above all else, calling all to return to Him will prove to be a distinct hindrance to revival. May God deliver each of us from this hindrance.
Preaching That is Timid. Whatever happened to the fearless preachers whose fiery denunciations of sin and awesome warnings of impending doom used to grip the land? Are we too advanced a culture to be affected by the prophets of God or are the men who think themselves called of God too timid to tell the truth?
I remember that old Sunday School song: "Dare to be a Daniel, Dare to stand alone! Dare to have a purpose firm! Dare to make it known!"
Do you dare to be a Daniel? Are you prepared to face your den of lions unafraid? Are you boldly standing, even if all alone? Are your purposes firmly set? Do all who know you know to what you are unhesitant and uncompromisingly committed?
Do you dare to resist the clock-watchers who are vastly more committed to keeping the services short than to the prosperity of Christ's kingdom?
Do you dare to stand against the unregenerate leaders in your church, calling them to repentance and faith, even when they are scheming your departure?
Do you dare to insist that the wealthy and prestigious must follow the same path of surrender and devotion to Jesus Christ as the poor and down-trodden?
Do you dare to preach against the favorite sins of your congregation or is your preaching fashionable and acceptable to the unrepentant Christ-haters among your people?
Do you dare to live a life of godly simplicity and open holiness before your watching world?
Does the daring of Daniel mark your daily devotions? Does the courage of Christ characterize your Christian walk? Does the fearless passion of a post-Pentecost Peter power your preaching?
Christians without courage are a strange and pathetic contradiction and a constant hindrance to revival.


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Daniel

 2005/4/30 15:52Profile





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