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   Preach the Word   
   ---------------   
      
   by Pastor Chuck Swindoll   
      
         "For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to   
          all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living   
          and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with   
          wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look   
          forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our   
          great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave   
          his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and   
          to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good   
          deeds."   
      
         "You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do   
          them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so   
          don’t let anyone disregard what you say." (Titus 2:11–15)   
      
   There is a major problem with adapting a church to fit the lost person,   
   rather than the church following God’s design for what He intended it to   
   be. Here it is, plain and simple. The church is a body of people called   
   out from among the world for the distinct and unique purpose of   
   glorifying their Savior and Lord. Nowhere in the book of Acts or the   
   epistles do we see a church called to provide a subculture for   
   nonbelievers. The lost don’t need to find at church a world that’s like   
   their world outside the church. The church is not competing with the   
   world. Jesus is not a brand.   
      
   The church needs to guard against compromising the Word of God so that   
   it tastes more palatable to newcomers. Christians suffer when we do   
   that. I’ve said for years, “Sermonettes are for Christianettes.” If our   
   churches give a little eight-minute sermon, we are not feeding the   
   flock. Instead of teaching them, we’re tantalizing them. Instead of   
   stretching and challenging them, we’re entertaining them.   
      
   Our congregations need pastors who study hard, pray hard, and prepare   
   well-balanced meals, then open the Scriptures and teach people how to   
   study the Word for themselves. That’s what gives them stability in hard   
   times, discernment in the midst of deception, and the strength to stand   
   alone.   
      
   It takes more than a gift expressed with skill to make a church   
   contagious. It takes a context. It takes an entire church functioning as   
   a place of grace . . .  with leaders setting the pace.   
      
   Let me urge you who are considering adopting the emerging church   
   philosophy, or the “seeker church” strategies, to take a good look at   
   what you are trying to do—and why. Be sure to look at it biblically. Be   
   certain you can support any change you plan to implement from the   
   Scriptures. Don’t look to Mars Hill in Acts 17 while ignoring the   
   essentials of Acts 2. Instead of searching for justification in the   
   Bible, search and pray for direction from the biblical text.   
      
   A place of grace releases and affirms; it doesn’t smother. Grace values   
   the dignity of individuals; it doesn’t destroy. Grace supports and   
   encourages; it isn’t jealous or suspicious. In the church, grace is the   
   means by which the gospel is preached. But it also becomes the context   
   where God’s written commands are taught.   
      
   Taken from The Church Awakening by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2010   
   by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Faith Words, an   
   imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc.   
   --   
   Have you heard the good news Christ died for our sins (†), and God   
   raised Him from the dead?   
      
   That Christ died for our sins shows we're sinners who deserve the death   
   penalty. That God raised Him from the dead shows Christ's death   
   satisfied God's righteous demands against our sin (Romans 3:25; 1 John   
   2:1-2). This means God can now remain just, while forgiving you of your   
   sins, and saving you from eternal damnation.   
      
   On the basis of Christ's death and resurrection for our sins, call on   
   the name of the Lord to save you: "For 'everyone who calls on the name   
   of the Lord will be saved'" (Romans 10:13, ESV).   
      
   https://christrose.news/salvation   
      
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   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)