Why Johnny Can't Preach .....September 27, 2009
If I only had the opportunity to write one entry on this blog, it would be an appeal to pastors to preach Christ and His cross. There are many things in which we deserve rebuke, but none more so than the clergy's failure to preach Christ consistently from the pulpit on the Lord's Day and our failure to require such from the men in the pulpits. I recently came across a small, newly published, paperback book called Why Johnny Can't Preach by Grove City College professor T. David Gordon. (isbn 9781596381162 P&R Publishing) This book was highly recommended by a ministry that I know to be very good and the book was everything and more than I even hoped, for it is concise, clear and powerful. One must expend every effort to reject Professor Gordon's argument. I don't have it in front of me for I have passed on a few copies and intend to purchase more for this reason. So many times, we agonize for some way that we can make a difference in our country. Distributing this book is one way and it strikes at the very heart of our problem, malnourishment from the lack of preaching Christ and Him crucified! We can experience movements of various kinds within this present evangelicalism. We can be instrumental in putting a political party into office that shores up the dikes for a while. We can have an evangelical president, legislate against egregious assaults on our foundations and see the battle go our way, for a time, but our presence will ultimately be resistible and ineffective without a genuine transformation in accordance with God's express will, through the power of His Spirit and with the proclamation of Jesus Christ, in all His majesty, power and glory, before us every time that we gather on His day. Most everyone believes that Christ is preached in their church. This because they have nothing to compare it to. They do not know what is lacking, therefore there is no urgency. Here is one litmus test you might consider; if when the service is over, the sermon has been preached, the benediction given, you do not need a few moments to gather yourself, to take a deep breath and consider what you have just heard, the momentousness of how it has effected your life and eternal soul, and the souls of all those whom you love who believe, then you have not heard Christ preached.
More Food SirNovember 15,
More Food SirNovember 15,
The following is a paragraph from Charles Dickens Oliver Twist where the boys who lived at the workhouse were issued three meals of thin gruel a day, with an onion twice a week, and a half a roll on Sundays. The boys cast lots and Oliver was chosen to ask for a second portion of food. Here are Dickens words: The evening arrived; the boys took their place. The master, in his cook's uniform stationed himself at the copper; his pauper assistants ranged themselves behind him; the gruel was served out; and a long grace was said over the short commons. The gruel disappeared; the boys whispered themselves, and winked at Oliver; while his neighbors nudged him. Child as he was, he was desperate with hunger, and reckless with misery. He rose from the table; and advancing to the master, basin and spoon in hand, said: somewhat alarmed at his own temerity: 'Please sir, I want some more food.' There have been times, in the past, when I have gone up to a pastor after the sermon and essentially said the same thing, More food sir? There are many throughout Christian churches in this country who are malnourished and probably some congregations where an Oliver was chosen, or volunteered. The problem becomes even more complicated for there have been times when I had been fed overwhelming portions and failed to acknowledge it and be thankful, but as in personal finances, maybe it's good to experience lean times in order to be thankful in fatter times. The problem becomes even more pronounced in that the vast majority of those who do not hear the gospel, do not even know it.
Take The Grapefruit Test......June 19, 2011
Take The Grapefruit Test......June 19, 2011
I'm a person of habits....to an alarming degree. I would never put my right boot on first! What kind of crazy lunatic would do that? I was in a quandary the other day after work. My routine is to take my seat behind the wheel and peel an orange while offering some thoughts of thanksgiving after the days work. I enjoy an orange every day on my ride home. This particular day, Wednesday I believe it was, I reached in my bag only to find a grapefruit! I had mistaken the orange...orange, for the orange grapefruit in the fridge. What to do? Do I drive for twenty minutes in disarray having no orange slices to put in my mouth.....or do I peel the grapefruit and put the grapefruit slices in my mouth? I opt for the latter for both oranges and grapefruits are citrus fruits. Technically I was in keeping with my habit but my face was contorted, and eyes watering the entire trip home. Are you a person of habits also. You may have gone to this particular church you belong to for so long that every hymnbook in the sanctuary must have your DNA on it. You sit in this certain pew and say hello to the same six people and give a thirteen word statement about the weather to the pastor on the way out every week. What kind of lunatic would, short of excommunication, go to another church when everything is so.....non-threatening? What I am insinuating here is that you MAY need to look for another church. Try this test. Take a Tupperware container of grapefruit slices to church with you and eat one every time our redemption through the blood of Christ is mentioned. If you leave with a full container it may be time to reassess your church membership. If someone calls for the EMTs during the service....well, as Roseanne Rosannadanna would say..."Never Mind."
