Another thing we all want in America is to be praised. We want to be told how good we are. We want to hear how much God loves us. We only want to hear positive sermons full of hope - with swelling words focused on us. This is why Joel Osteen has the largest congregation in America, and we respect him. We look at the vast crowds that sit at his feet each week and we think he must be alright - that many people can't be wrong.
Yet the message of the Cross is a bit different than what we're hearing in far too many pulpits. Basically, the Cross says to us - you're a mess. You're a failure. In fact, you stink. You're filthy. You're full of sin and rebellion. There is no way you're getting into Heaven. You're not smart enough, clean enough, good enough or holy enough to get into Heaven, And all your money, no matter how much you put in the offering plate, can't buy you a seat at God's banqueting table in eternity. You're hopeless and foolish but not beyond redemption
At the English Village i used to work at, in South Korea, they have a lesson we teach about recycling. In the message, it shows amazing people taking trash and turning it into art, whether plastic or aluminum or literally anything - people take worthless garbage and turn it into something beautiful. This is what God does with us, if we'll let Him. In His hands we become beautiful, wonderful to behold! He recycles us! But here's the thing - yes, we are incredibly valuable to God, yes He loves us, sincerely, with all His heart, with a passion we cannot fully comprehend this side of Heaven, but we must not go before Him one time and confess we are sinful, we must continually mourn our sinful fallen flesh's condition while at the same time celebrating His goodness, not our own. We have none, in and of ourselves. We must go to Him daily, hourly if need be, acknowledging in our hearts and mouths our great need for Him. Continually reminding people of how loved they are by God is fine as long as you also continually remind them that their sinful self, their old man, must die daily Give us this day our daily bread, forgive us THIS DAY our sins, the ones we've committed today, as we forgive the daily sins of others.
Yet the message of the Cross is a bit different than what we're hearing in far too many pulpits. Basically, the Cross says to us - you're a mess. You're a failure. In fact, you stink. You're filthy. You're full of sin and rebellion. There is no way you're getting into Heaven. You're not smart enough, clean enough, good enough or holy enough to get into Heaven, And all your money, no matter how much you put in the offering plate, can't buy you a seat at God's banqueting table in eternity. You're hopeless and foolish but not beyond redemption
At the English Village i used to work at, in South Korea, they have a lesson we teach about recycling. In the message, it shows amazing people taking trash and turning it into art, whether plastic or aluminum or literally anything - people take worthless garbage and turn it into something beautiful. This is what God does with us, if we'll let Him. In His hands we become beautiful, wonderful to behold! He recycles us! But here's the thing - yes, we are incredibly valuable to God, yes He loves us, sincerely, with all His heart, with a passion we cannot fully comprehend this side of Heaven, but we must not go before Him one time and confess we are sinful, we must continually mourn our sinful fallen flesh's condition while at the same time celebrating His goodness, not our own. We have none, in and of ourselves. We must go to Him daily, hourly if need be, acknowledging in our hearts and mouths our great need for Him. Continually reminding people of how loved they are by God is fine as long as you also continually remind them that their sinful self, their old man, must die daily Give us this day our daily bread, forgive us THIS DAY our sins, the ones we've committed today, as we forgive the daily sins of others.
Good point. This has to do with maturing in the holy spirit and walking with God. Though We are not perfect, we have been made righteous through the grace of Christ. We do not want to love by the law because it makes us be fallen from the grace of Christ since we have not been free of law (galtians)
ReplyDeleteIt is important that we tell the truth in love to one another and also be able to commend, rebuke and correct one another.
The church sermons are just there to attract people into the love of God but rarely these days do pastors preach the word of God to strengthen the churches. This is the downfall of Christianity as a religion and this is the reason why many church goers will not walk the way and finish the race.
Of course only God holds the key to salvation so there is no saying who will be saved and who won't but we do have a better idea of reaching salvation and finishing the race with God, Jesus and the Holy spirit. This is the walk that soldiers of Christ get to become a friend of Christ and thus helping many who are blind back to him.
May the spirit of knowledge and wisdom reveal more to you and give you the boldness to preach the truth
In Jesus name Amen
Thank You! I appreciate your comments and your prayer.
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