Offensive Word of God
Philippians's 2:9-11 says this,
"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
For years the church has been afraid and dreading the phone call of a parishioner who was offended by something that was spoken from the pulpit. This has in turn caused many preachers and teachers to refrain from the hard truths and teachings because it is not the popular thing to say. Most churches today are handing out the sugar-coated Bible lesson and leaving people with what they want to hear in order to make them feel better. It is a truth that is both unfortunate and devastating. Another problem is that those preachers who are teaching and proclaiming the truths that are hard to hear for some are being fired or shunned.
So where in lies the problem? Who is to be blamed for this common thread?
All of us is the answer you are looking for. That is right.. all of us.
The pastors for allowing ourselves to be compromised and content with pleasing people instead of God. (Galatians 1:10) Newsflash... Hell is a real place and people will go there unless there is a belief and relationship with Jesus Christ... HELL IS REAL but so is Heaven! Do not allow yourself to be brought down by fear and anxiety over a job or popularity. We have a message and we can not back down, give up, or let up in its proclamation.
Now for everyone else.. have you noticed a popular trend in the ranks of the clergy? There less of us everyday. More and more members of the clergy are being fired and beaten down by those in the church who get offended by the truth of the Gospel. Newsflash.. The Gospel is offensive... its design is to be offended in a way that will bring those who are lost back into the graces of God our Father. The name of Jesus is offensive. It is probably the most..sorry.. it IS the most offensive name in the world. It is at the name of Jesus that sinners shudder and demons flee. It is at the name of Jesus that people find refuge and rest and change.
I am reminded of the passage in John 6 verses 53 -69. Jesus is teaching and he knows and hears some grumbling by his disciples (all of them not just the Twelve). He turns and says "Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe." At that point many of His disciples turned and left Him and Jesus turns to the Twelve and says, "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Then Simon Peter speaks, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
Jesus spoke words that were offensive to even those who were following Him. His Word is truth and in that truth is eternal life. We can not afford to sugar coat it anymore. We can't back down and we dare not let up.
I am thankful for those in our churches that truly desire life-change and believe the Word of God. I am truly thankful for the church that supports and encourages its pastors, like my church.
"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
For years the church has been afraid and dreading the phone call of a parishioner who was offended by something that was spoken from the pulpit. This has in turn caused many preachers and teachers to refrain from the hard truths and teachings because it is not the popular thing to say. Most churches today are handing out the sugar-coated Bible lesson and leaving people with what they want to hear in order to make them feel better. It is a truth that is both unfortunate and devastating. Another problem is that those preachers who are teaching and proclaiming the truths that are hard to hear for some are being fired or shunned.
So where in lies the problem? Who is to be blamed for this common thread?
All of us is the answer you are looking for. That is right.. all of us.
The pastors for allowing ourselves to be compromised and content with pleasing people instead of God. (Galatians 1:10) Newsflash... Hell is a real place and people will go there unless there is a belief and relationship with Jesus Christ... HELL IS REAL but so is Heaven! Do not allow yourself to be brought down by fear and anxiety over a job or popularity. We have a message and we can not back down, give up, or let up in its proclamation.
Now for everyone else.. have you noticed a popular trend in the ranks of the clergy? There less of us everyday. More and more members of the clergy are being fired and beaten down by those in the church who get offended by the truth of the Gospel. Newsflash.. The Gospel is offensive... its design is to be offended in a way that will bring those who are lost back into the graces of God our Father. The name of Jesus is offensive. It is probably the most..sorry.. it IS the most offensive name in the world. It is at the name of Jesus that sinners shudder and demons flee. It is at the name of Jesus that people find refuge and rest and change.
I am reminded of the passage in John 6 verses 53 -69. Jesus is teaching and he knows and hears some grumbling by his disciples (all of them not just the Twelve). He turns and says "Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe." At that point many of His disciples turned and left Him and Jesus turns to the Twelve and says, "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Then Simon Peter speaks, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
Jesus spoke words that were offensive to even those who were following Him. His Word is truth and in that truth is eternal life. We can not afford to sugar coat it anymore. We can't back down and we dare not let up.
I am thankful for those in our churches that truly desire life-change and believe the Word of God. I am truly thankful for the church that supports and encourages its pastors, like my church.
