Preachers in generations past used to conclude every sermon or article with a strong warning against drifting away from "the faith" (cf. Jude 1:3). They had a profound love for God’s truth (John 17:17; Ephesians 4:21), and they guarded against being “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14).
Their preaching was simple and plain, emphasizing “Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). They accepted the fact that God’s "power" to save rested totally in the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16). They had a burning desire to proclaim all of the gospel in its undiluted form (Acts 20:17-27).
The Lord’s church has the same solemn responsibility in the 21st century as it had in the 1st century. The great commission has not changed (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16), nor has the anathema of heaven towards those who distort and pervert the simple gospel message delivered by inspired men (Galations 1:6-10; cf. 1 Corinthians 4:6; 2 Peter 3:15-17; 2 John 9-10).
As faithful watchmen of God (Ezekiel 3:17; Ezekiel 33:7), we need to take a closer look at some of the modern “trends” being promoted within the Lord’s church. Two of these trends are: (1) Unity in diversity; (2) Open membership.
Perhaps we need to seriously consider these inspired warnings from the Hebrew writer:
“We must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (Hebrews 2:1; cf. Colossians 2:6-8); "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12).
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
Their preaching was simple and plain, emphasizing “Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). They accepted the fact that God’s "power" to save rested totally in the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16). They had a burning desire to proclaim all of the gospel in its undiluted form (Acts 20:17-27).
The Lord’s church has the same solemn responsibility in the 21st century as it had in the 1st century. The great commission has not changed (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16), nor has the anathema of heaven towards those who distort and pervert the simple gospel message delivered by inspired men (Galations 1:6-10; cf. 1 Corinthians 4:6; 2 Peter 3:15-17; 2 John 9-10).As faithful watchmen of God (Ezekiel 3:17; Ezekiel 33:7), we need to take a closer look at some of the modern “trends” being promoted within the Lord’s church. Two of these trends are: (1) Unity in diversity; (2) Open membership.
Perhaps we need to seriously consider these inspired warnings from the Hebrew writer:
“We must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (Hebrews 2:1; cf. Colossians 2:6-8); "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12).
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
Comments
Post a Comment