Why is it that, today, many preachers seem to think they need a gimmick in order to draw people into their church?
Every so often, I hear someone say that the younger generation is bored by the traditional teachings, so we need to have more modern music or a preacher who jumps around like a wild man on a pogo stick. Somehow, I just don’t think that’s necessary. Most of the old hymns have a deep message in the words that many modern songs miss.
The word of God isn’t boring. Jesus didn’t have a gimmick, yet the people flocked to Him. The Apostles didn’t use gimmicks, but their faithful teaching of the Gospel allowed God’s truth to reach the far corners of the world. The congregation in Corinth was “woke” and tried to fit in with the culture of the time; Paul was quite straightforward in criticizing them. He didn’t congratulate them on their innovative way of worship or their all-inclusive way of preaching. Paul preached the Gospel without compromise.
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:1-2).
There is no other way for anybody to be saved except through understanding the Gospel of Christ. What could be more exciting than the fact that our sins, no matter how big, can be forgiven? When we repent of the sin that separates us from God and ask Him to forgive us, we are no longer on the highway to Hell, but on the highway to Heaven. The problem is that so many preachers today don’t preach the pure word of God. One preacher I know will quote from his “favorite atheist” or from Bob Dylan and other rock stars, but Scripture is a secondary issue.
Paul didn’t use fancy words or water down the Gospel. He often paid a price for his honesty, but he didn’t let beatings or imprisonment silence him.
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
When was the last time you heard that from the pulpit? Even those who have been raised attending church need to hear that message.
It’s obvious that the teaching in Corinth had deviated from the pure truth of God’s word; they were very prideful because they accepted sin into their congregation.
Sinners should always be welcome into worship services, but not influence the teachings. We are all sinners and need to be forgiven. Christians need to show love towards those who need to come to salvation, but until they have repented and turn from their sins, they cannot be leaders in the church. Today, there are preachers who misrepresent God’s word, and are more worried about offering plates overflowing than God’s truth being taught.
When people first began to accept the Gospel, it was more important to care for each other and be sure God’s word wasn’t compromised than to entertain and tickle ears. They mostly met in homes, so there was no big building or large pastor’s salary to support. They shared what they had, so nobody was left wanting. Christians need to care for each other. We are to share the Gospel with the unsaved, but we are to care for the needs of fellow believers.
“And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things in common… Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need” (Acts 4:32, 34 & 35).
The people cared for each other and made sure those in need were helped. The focus was on caring for fellow Christians. In today’s congregations, it seems we care more for non-Christians but fail to share the Gospel with them, and Scripture isn’t preached from the pulpits. Barnabas was a man who seemed to go the extra mile for his brothers and sisters in Christ.
“And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:36-37).
Barnabas must have been a special man. He was a man who understood how to serve the Lord. It was Barnabas who brought Paul to the Apostles in order for them to accept him, and then Barnabas went on missionary journeys with Paul. These trips were to spread the Gospel. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying you have to sell all you have and give it to fellow Christians, but if you can drive a widow to the doctor, or cook a meal for a man who has just lost his wife, or if you can help an elderly brother or sister with home repairs, or mow their lawn, that’s caring for fellow Christians.
There were no gimmicks in the early church. The Gospel was shared, and people responded. It seems as if in these last days, the word of God is hidden. Are we ashamed of our Lord? Paul wasn’t.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).
Only Jesus can save a person from eternal damnation. That’s the best news ever, and a very exciting message. If we share the Gospel with the lost, invite them into our congregations, disciple them and care for them, you might be surprised how many people will come to salvation. If the lost come to see a sideshow rather than a worship service, will they ever hear about their sins keeping them from salvation? Will they ever come to true faith in Christ?
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:13-14).
People need to hear the pure word of God with no gimmicks and not watered down. God hasn’t changed, and His word is the same truth it has always been. We cannot change His truth in order to appeal to people. If we do, then God’s word is taught as a lie, and God cannot lie. It’s people who need to change, not God. Gimmicks won’t bring salvation.
Do you have a garden? There’s a season when tomatoes grow, and a season when they don’t. So, when planting a garden, it’s important to plant seeds in the correct growing season. Planting the seeds of God’s word is never out of season. It may be more difficult for the seeds to grow in hardened hearts, but the seeds need to be planted. The Apostle Paul saw the importance of teaching the pure word of God, and he gave guidelines for pastors.
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:1-2).
This is very clear. Stand solidly upon Scripture. People like to say, “Don’t judge me,” but to reprove and rebuke is to use Scripture to help a fellow Christian to walk closer to the Lord. Unbelievers have no basis for moral behavior, but Christians have Scripture, and it isn’t judging to use it to guide us.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Remember, Paul was writing to a pastor and talking about Christians. If your pastor doesn’t preach from Scripture, then you need to dig into it yourself. Use it to shine its light on your life to see what needs to change in you to allow you to walk closer to God. If there are attitudes that need to change, then pray and ask God to help you to honor Him with your life.
You don’t need gimmicks when you have God’s truth.
God bless you all
Nathele Graham
Recommended prophecy sites:
www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com
All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.
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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).