Do Not Disturb!

One day, a good brother complained that the sermon had the whole congregation disturbed. This was found to be highly exaggerated, but it does point up one interesting fact. We all, in one way or another, resent being disturbed. If we are resting, if we are busily engaged in a very useful work, or even if we are doing something we ought not to be doing, we do not want to be disturbed. We want to continue on course without interruption.

I don’t believe that any preacher enjoys disturbing people, but preaching the gospel in and of itself, is a disturbing business. When the sermon in any way condemns what we are doing, we are apt to be disturbed. When something is said that is less than complimentary to the habit of smoking, those who smoke and do not intend to quit are disturbed. When the vicious sin of gossip is condemned, those who gossip and do not intend to quit, are disturbed. When dancing, drinking, near nudity, swearing and immoralities are condemned, those who do these things and do not intend to quit, are disturbed. It may be good to hang a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door when we are resting, but I am afraid we are in deep trouble when we hang such a sign on our conscience.

The gospel of Christ is designed to change men (2 Corinthians 5:10-11). When it convicts of sin (Acts 2:37), and one is converted to Christ (Acts 2:41), he/she is changed (Romans 6:6; 2 Corinthians 5:17). The word, “convert” means to change. The Psalmist said in Psalm 19:7, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul….” Paul told the Romans they had been the servants of sin, but “you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:17-18).

A lot of things in life will disturb me, and a lot of things will disturb you. There are many things we need to be disturbed about. When our peace and tranquility are disturbed by the preaching of the true gospel of Christ, let us try not to resent it. If the Lord’s word is preached on any subject, and we check His word and it teaches that, then it ought to disturb us until we respond to it and obey it.

When you hear the Lord’s word, let it disturb you! It is the spiritual fire alarm telling us our spiritual house is on fire! Say, how do you respond to the gospel when it applies to you? —John Gipson

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets