A Pastor’s Prayer Journey
Two Preachers Sharing Prayers & ScriptureArchive for hope
Preaching To the Dead
I remember my first days in Bible College. Wow was I on fire. I had just recently given my life to Jesus Christ. I had known the effects of sin. My life was spiraling out of control and then when all hope was lost Jesus was right their. So with a fire in my heart and a passion to save the World I entered Bible College. I soaked up as much as I could. I looked forward to the day that I could teach and preach at my first church. And finally that day came. I was hired. Or as I would like to think, I was called in to ministry. With a Bible in my hand and a desire to do damage for the kingdom I strolled into my first church. And since that day I have learned something about many churches. They are filled with dead people.
I think it is time we start talking about the elephant that is in the room. Many churches in America are dead. Oh we have nice buildings and sing songs but let’s not kid ourselves we are dead. Our churches are filled with people who are more concerned about their own comforts than the souls of lost people. We are more concerned that we get our way rather than asking the question, “what is God’s way?” Our board meetings are filled with a spirit, but it is neither holy nor convicting. Many times we ask those who are newest in the church to change so as not to unsettle those who have been in the church the longest. We become more concerned by what is played musically rather than if worship is taking place at all. Oh I could go on but the truth is the truth and it is time for us to act upon it. The church is dying because we have allowed Satan to take refuge in our churches.
And my dear preacher friends you probably could Amen me on this. But let me say that we are part of the problem. Every time we get down from the pulpit and get praises for our eloquent sermons and simply do nothing to stir the death that exist in our church we allow the disease to grow. Maybe it is time to tell some of the little ole church ladies that they are wicked. Call them out by name. Let us approach weak-minded men who have no spiritual “balls” to repent of their unwillingness to lead their families. Let us call the sin that really exist. And as we call out the sin to the dead let us check our own hearts. For many of us are dead. But now is the time to wake up. Now is the time to repent and allow the Lord Jesus Christ to move mightily in our lives.
I truly believe that the best days are ahead for the church. But I also believe that the church we know today will not make an impact on our World. It is time that we start a revolution in the church. It is time to either wake the dead or it is time to move on. But as a warning I have found that waking the dead is an impossible task. I am not saying it cannot be done but I am convinced of this, it will not be done until repentance takes place. God is good and he wants to save lost people. He has saved me. And for that I am eternally grateful. I give praise to Him because I was on my way to Hell. But today I am on my way to an eternity with Him. I no longer plan to preach to the dead. Send me to the dying but not to the dead. I would love to hear from others. Please make your voice heard.
Devastation of Sin
My family and I just got back from our spring break vacation. We traveled to see my parents and my childhood home. I certainly enjoyed the trip and especially had a great time showing my kids where daddy hung out when he was a kid. The time spent with family was great but as I returned home my heart was overwhelmed by the effects that sin have had on so many I have loved and known over the years. Here is just a sampling.
While speaking to my Aunt I asked her about her five children. Growing up I had spent time with her kids. It was hard to hear the stories of my cousins lives. 4 of the 5 have had multiple marriages. Several were facing the pains of child support and separation from their children. As I began to make contact with my friends who I had grown up with I found that each one of them also had their sad stories. Many of them had failed relationships as well as problems with drugs and alcohol. Yet the hardest and maybe most difficult thing to bear was yet to come.
Before I left I was compelled to speak with my step-father one more time about Jesus. In years past I have shared about how much Jesus loved him and had a plan for his life. Always I have been met with rejection. But I decided to try again. The result was like all the other talks. I would start talking about Jesus and he would try to change the discussion. He did say that he hopes we all get to heaven. In which I responded “there is a way that we can know”. Even my daughter chimed in by saying, “grandpa I want to see you in heaven” Yet this was not enough to break through the pride that has built up over the years. It is hard to think that he is going to miss out on eternity because of a prideful heart.
I now know why God hates sin. It is so devastating. It destroys lives. It not only blinds people to the truth but ultimately will send a person to hell. I certainly do not want to end talking about everyone’s struggle with sin and forget my own. As a believer I am amazed at how much I allow sin to work in my life. I do not have to look far to see that sin is still a constant battle in my life. Yes I know Jesus has saved me from my sin but sometimes I cannot believe how often I sin. The things I allow to enter my thought life are many times downright wicked. Yes I hate sin because it distorts the life God has intended for me.
I do not want to end on a sad note. I have seen the effects of sin in others as well as myself. But I am reminded about God’s redeeming power In my brokenness Jesus has saved me from my sin of the past as well as all future sins. Praise be to His name. I am hopeful that my parents will one day claim Jesus as savior. I am hopeful that my other families and friends who have been devastated by sin will also turn to the great healer of their souls. I know my own struggle with sin has been defeated. And for that I give praise to God. Yes God is to be praised. Sin is devastating But God is Good!!!
