Looking into the Bible, I see the “main attraction” quite clearly; Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself” (John 12:32 ASV). Preaching “Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 1:23 ASV; 1 Corinthians 2:2 ASV) is to be the focal point of our message.
Some promote gimmicks, games, giveaways, and gymnasiums, instead of dedicating themselves to a plain, bold, and forthright proclamation of the gospel, which alone saves souls! (Romans 1:16; James 1:21). Millions of dollars of the Lord’s money are spent emphasizing entertainment and social functions, making the Lord’s precious church into hardly more than a soup line for the distribution of loaves and fishes, when we should be pointing people to eternal water and eternal food (John 4:10-14; John 6:26-27).
Some will continue to draw attention to programs, speakers, edifices, and novelties. Some pulpits will persist in feeding spiritually starved people with “a social gospel” that talks of psychology, weight loss, and “feeling good about yourself.” However, faithful followers of the Master, know that His way and message is best. So, by the help of God, we will continue to point men and women to the Lord through direct, timely, and much-needed Bible preaching.
Jesus and His word is what the world and the church desperately needs! Let us put our emphasis back on spiritual matters, rather than material (Colossians 3:1-4; 1 Timothy 6:17-19). Let us, through our teaching and preaching, feed people with God’s Word (Matthew 4:4; cf. Deuteronomy 8:3), which is able to build them up and give them an inheritance among all them that are sanctified (Acts 20:32). —Lynn Parker
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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