A Gospel Pleasing to the Times
This quote from Charles Spurgeon is EXACTLY what the leaders in many churches across America need to hear. Unfortunately too many have decided to be ashamed of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. The ones who aren't are few and far between.
This quote is applicable from the warnings about adjusting God's Word to accommodate the age in which we live (postmodern) to the warnings about tailoring the message and the Word to appeal to the youth.
My earnest prayer is that the leaders of churches in America will recognize their sin and repent.
~~~
"Brethren, we shall not adjust our Bible to the age; but before we have done with it, by God's grace, we shall adjust the age to the Bible.
...We make no mistake here; we shall not watch our congregation to take our cue from it, but we shall keep our eye on the infallible Word, and preach according to its instructions.
Our Master sits on high, and not in the chairs of the scribes and doctors, who regulate the theories of the century. We cannot take our key-note from the wealthier people, nor from the leading officers, nor even from the former minister.
How often have we heard an excuse for heresy made out of the desire to impress "thoughtful young men"! Young men, whether thoughtful or otherwise, are best impressed by the gospel, and it is folly to dream that any preaching which leaves out the truth is suitable to men, either old or young. We shall not quit the Word to please the young men, nor even the young women.
This truckling to young men is a mere pretense; young men are no more fond of false doctrine than are the middle-aged; and if they are, there is so much the more necessity to teach them better. Young men are more impressed by the old gospel than by ephemeral speculations.
If any of you wish to preach a gospel that will be pleasing to the times, preach it in the power of the devil, and I have no doubt that he will willingly do his best for you. It is not to such servants of men that I desire to speak just now.
I trust that, if ever any of you should err from the faith, and take up with the new theology, you will be too honest to pray for power from God with which to preach that mischievous delusion if you should do so, you will be guilty of constructive blasphemy.
No, brethren, it is not our object to please men, but our design is far nobler."
--Charles Spurgeon, from "The Preacher's Power, and the Conditions of Obtaining It," chapter 11 in An All-Round Ministry: Addressed to Ministers and Students.
This quote is applicable from the warnings about adjusting God's Word to accommodate the age in which we live (postmodern) to the warnings about tailoring the message and the Word to appeal to the youth.
My earnest prayer is that the leaders of churches in America will recognize their sin and repent.
~~~
"Brethren, we shall not adjust our Bible to the age; but before we have done with it, by God's grace, we shall adjust the age to the Bible.
...We make no mistake here; we shall not watch our congregation to take our cue from it, but we shall keep our eye on the infallible Word, and preach according to its instructions.
Our Master sits on high, and not in the chairs of the scribes and doctors, who regulate the theories of the century. We cannot take our key-note from the wealthier people, nor from the leading officers, nor even from the former minister.
How often have we heard an excuse for heresy made out of the desire to impress "thoughtful young men"! Young men, whether thoughtful or otherwise, are best impressed by the gospel, and it is folly to dream that any preaching which leaves out the truth is suitable to men, either old or young. We shall not quit the Word to please the young men, nor even the young women.
This truckling to young men is a mere pretense; young men are no more fond of false doctrine than are the middle-aged; and if they are, there is so much the more necessity to teach them better. Young men are more impressed by the old gospel than by ephemeral speculations.
If any of you wish to preach a gospel that will be pleasing to the times, preach it in the power of the devil, and I have no doubt that he will willingly do his best for you. It is not to such servants of men that I desire to speak just now.
I trust that, if ever any of you should err from the faith, and take up with the new theology, you will be too honest to pray for power from God with which to preach that mischievous delusion if you should do so, you will be guilty of constructive blasphemy.
No, brethren, it is not our object to please men, but our design is far nobler."
--Charles Spurgeon, from "The Preacher's Power, and the Conditions of Obtaining It," chapter 11 in An All-Round Ministry: Addressed to Ministers and Students.
posted by kennyo at 6:14 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home