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As I sat in the pews of several churches I have attended in North America, one thing has become significant, the messages preached are aimed at so-called "feel good Christians". After spending many years in African-based churches, I realized an amazing difference with our western-directed churches. I can recall having my seat "on fire" whilst I heard the preacher preach away during my time in Africa. And as the transition came about to the western world, the thought of even experiencing some form of conviction had almost dwindled away into the past. Besides the Holy Spirit's personal intervention within my own life, I would not have been within the realization of God's constant grace for me.
In the modern western church, few churches will attempt to promote a message that is true and concise, lest they displease and minimize their congregation membership; which ultimately dictates the amount of money that comes in. And the Apostle Paul, could not have been more direct in his vision when he said, in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."
What has happened to the post Apostolic age that we live in? What have so many churches strayed from presenting the truth as it should be? Why has the message evolved purely on the basis of God's love, completely emptying the necessity to deal with issues that are connected to sin? Has sin finally found a free roller coaster ride to the ignorance of our pastors and governing bodies of the church? The flow of spirituality has hit it's own bumps, courtesy of the multitude that prefer to hear a message that does not "heat up" their seats in the pews but gives them comfort in the realms of a message that really... brings spiritual death.
A well balanced diet is good for the body. It provides proper nourishment to the growth and maintenance of our bodies; just as regular auto maintenance provides you with a reliable car. But when the spiritual, scheduled maintenance of our spiritual vehicle fails to get that much needed and contrite intravenous therapy, we risk the possibility of a major spiritual breakdown. The church needs to move ahead of being "people pleaser" to being a GOD pleaser. For those who wish to be politically correct, the best term would be, a Jesus pleasing Church.
Yes, there is a risk that you may lose some members, or get booted out for being honest, or lose a substantial part of your church income. One thing is for sure clear, Quality is better than quantity. And when a church is able to breed quality members, who are willing to hear GOD as he truly is, they will begin to experience what the early church in Acts experienced - growth. There is a need to eradicate messages that center purely on God's love and combine them with exactly what GOD is all about, a loving father who also frowns at sin. Our Enemy is as present and real as your next door neighbor. He is on a mission to destroy, kill and steal. And as a church, we have reached a point in history where our enemy has become a myth - and it is playing to his advantage.
These are the type of teachers that have crept into the church. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
Are you willing to take a stand for your church and make a difference?
