It is not difficult to understand why the quality of Christianity today is below mediocre. Yes, I know, strong words, and a strong accusation. And, I think I know the reason why such is the sad state of Christianity today.
Listen carefully to the sermons preached from thousands of pulpits today; from churches, conferences, seminars, special meetings, all kinds of meetings. What is the message which is heard?
Usually, a message which kind of throws Christ somewhere inside a conglomeration of exhortations to have faith, attend more church, and to live the holy life from your boot-straps.
There's a fairly famous pastor somewhere in Kota Damansara who keeps preaching 'hell and damnation' until I think the church there has grown numb, and cannot appreciate a message which is 'ultra-works!'
Then of course there are leaders and pastors of churches where the name of the game is to keep the members happy and not to get involved in any controversial idea or thought or teaching...eventhough these teaching may be from Scriptures.
Of course, there are the thoroughly insular churches who exist just for themselves, somewhat like a country club.
And you know why? Listen to the message which comes from the pulpit. Of course, we really need to blame the seminaries who have utterly failed to produce biblically sound and literate gospel-centered and Christ-centered pastors and leaders. All these seminaries are concerned are that their seminary names are held in good reputation. Kind of reminds me of what the Spirit was saying to one of the churches of Revelation, 'you have a reputation, but...' (read it for yourself, the meaning will be quite plain).
So it is the message. Churches either concentrate on the cross, or the resurrection, or neither. A truncated gospel will produce stunted believers.
The key of a good message can be readily seen in the apostle Peter's first 3 recorded messages in Acts and then cross-referenced with his epistles. The message is very consistent. You and I are murderers of the Son of God. It was part of God's sovereign plan, yet, we are thoroughly culpable. We murdered the Son of God through our sins. We are desperately deceitful and wicked sinners in open rebellion against a holy and sovereign God. Yet, instead of receiving our just wages of this sin, this amazingly gracious God, so rich in mercy and glory, comes down Himself, takes on flesh through Yeshua, lives the life we ought to have lived, and died the death we should have died. In doing so, He takes on man's sin against an Infinitely Holy God (which makes our sin infinite) upon Himself, the perfect God Man, and totally routs sin, shame and the devil.
That is still half the gospel. In quite an absolutely amazing way, He then give us His perfect obedience and righteousness, and makes us just before this Infinitely Holy God. Amazing! Such knowledge is indeed so high, and we cannot attain to it, unless the Lord in His mercy, gives us the power of the Holy Spirit to receive such an awesome revelation of His gospel word, which then quickens us for salvation, as we in His grace turn away and repent of our sins, and are regenerated and brought into the kingdom of God with full rights of sonship, all through Christ.
See why this is absolutely good news?! How can we not share this beautiful and glorious good news to everyone?
May God bring upon Malaysia a thoroughly gospel-initiated and gospel sustained revival of Acts' proportions!
Amen, Soli Deo Gloria!
No comments:
Post a Comment