3/9/2010
Good morning everyone,
I pray you are all well and good in the Lord and your week is going well.
Last week we raised the question about the “Emerging Church” movement. I did not get a lot of response on it and mostly the response I got was that of uncertainty.
Perhaps this movement is more subtle than it seems. As we all are on the lookout for more information on this, let me, this morning, remind us all of a couple of things.
“Tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth”.
This is a common saying here in America. However it seems to be a lost and dying art. Seems more and more, no matter the topic, half-truths and misconception abound. When we dabble in half-truths, especially when dealing with the Gospel, we are playing in the devil’s playground. The Gospel is what it says and nothing less. The Bible is the first and final authority on the Gospel and everything else.
We should not just take anyone’s word for it. The Bible tells us to test, or try the spirits to see if they are of God.
I John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
God tells us that His word is sufficient in all things.
2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
We need to keep in mind that anything or anyone, no matter the name or era in which we live, that reduces the Gospel to only parts or portions, good or bad, is simply wrong. I would say that borders on blasphemy.
Teaching only a feel good gospel misleads the multitudes into a false sense of security and plays Russian roulette with souls.
The Gospel is not so complicated that we need to reinvent ways to teach it to appease the world. Let me clarify here that I am in no way saying that there are not different ways or methods to reach the lost. I am however saying that we should not COMPROMISE anything just to get people to listen or to gain popularity of self. Remember, God draws wayward souls to Him, We do not. We are merely tools in the Master’s hand. God help those teachers that know better and yet still teach a watered down gospel.
James 4:17
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
I realize I have rambled back and forth this morning, and for that I apologize. What I will not apologize for is standing up for and presenting the true Gospel in all of its glory and in its entirety.
Until we can look into it further, my first impression would be to be very skeptical and leery of this so called postmodernism Christian movement. The Gospel was and will always be meant to be shared in its entirety and in all its fullness.
I personally, do not see the need to “rope a dope” people into a false sense of wellness simply to fill a church house or God forbid, to make money. OUCH!
Again, thanks for listening. I pray God has used this to accomplish what He wants, in spite of me.
I will continue to look into the “Emerging Church” movement. Let me know what you all find out and your thoughts on it.
We need to be ever vigilant to stand up for the true Gospel. Souls hang in the balance.
May God richly bless and keep you all.
In Christ’s Service,
An unworthy servant.
Gary