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The Church In Decline - Why?

Seekers: I have noticed that many churches are in decline. Some are doing well, but does that necessarily mean they are correct? Here are a few thoughts after looking at a few churches /movements. The first thing I see is that the true GOSPEL is not being preached. It seems that it is unpopular to offend those who are not true Christians and who are "seekers" (to use the modern term). The problem is that the church programmes become "seeker" focused rather than Christian focused. The church needs to make disciples who are then further educated in the Word of God. These then go out and make more disciples. How can this be done if all the focus is on the sinner and making things comfortable in the church so that the sinner is not offended? What did Paul say: 1Cor 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish *foolishness*; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. The Gospel IS OFFENSIVE to the lost!!! What then is the Gospel? 1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; 1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures: Thus we see that the Gospel is (1)Christ died for our sins (2) was buried (3) and rose again on the third day. Therein is the fundamental message of the Gospel. It is NOT true that you will "find your PURPOSE" by attending a seeker-friendly service or programme; it is NOT true that you always be wealthy when you come to Christ. Things will NOT always go your way! What IS TRUE is that a loving God does not want you to land up in an eternal hell. However, if you reject the method of entry into His presence (The Lord Jesus Christ), you WILL face the penalty for your SINS. Since God is just, holy and righteous, He has to be consistent with His nature and condemn all sinners to punishment (HELL- Yes it's REAL) UNLESS these sinners have repented of their sin and accepted Jesus Christ as their saviour. What this does is this: When God sees a repentant Christian, He does not see the sin BUT He does see the Blood-Cleansed person who has had his sins forgiven : Result - NO PUNISHMENT, rather eternal happiness with Christ in heaven when we die (or are taken to heaven if Christ comes before we die! ) What then is not being fully preached is the Cross and its result described above.The message that "seekers" are on their way to hell if they do not repent is OFFENSIVE to the world. However, if we do not preach this, then we are unloving, not loving! Once we preach the correct message, God will add to the church,according to what is said in the Scriptures. For the churches in decline, I have noticed that the one I attend does not actively disciple ALL people in the community. Thus, people are not hearing the Word of God; I am sure that God is judging these type of "comfortable" churches. For the "seeker-sensitive" churches that seem to be doing well, it does not follow that they are producing Christians who are capable of discipling others. Perhaps some are saved in spite of the teachings of these churches, not because of them. Some think they are Christians, but are merely following Christian behaviours. They DO NOT really know the Jesus of the Cross. Sadly this apostasy will continue unless the TRUE Gospel is preached again and ministers/ pastors are not afraid to present the full Gospel message, however uncomfortable it may be. I do however believe that we are in the Great Apostasy ("falling away"; 2 Thes 2:3) as foretold by Scripture, so it's going to be difficult to get through to people. Remember, however, only the Holy Spirit can convert people; you can only preach the Word. "Melting Pastors" Anybody seen (or read the transcripts of) the American TV show "Larry King Live" on CNN? During the last few months King has had some prominent religious on his show. Guess what? They run away from the exclusivity of the Gospel (NO OTHER WAY). Rising star Joel Osteen (you even find his books in many stores in this country) did untold damage to the belief of Jews, Muslims etc when he failed to give the Biblical answer to King's question of whether Jews and Muslims go to hell if they do not accept Christ as saviour. His response : �You know I'm very careful about saying who would and wouldn't go to heaven. *I don't know�� (emphasis mine) [[transcript at CNN here]] He did try to make an apology to Christians after the show, but the damage was done. Should the AUTOMATIC response of any true believer not be that JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY? Rick "Purpose Driven Everything" Warren interview: KING: You can, though, Rick, have a purpose-driven life and be an agnostic or an atheist, can't you? Still do good, still help others, still have purpose? WARREN: Absolutely, you can help other people. I believe that we were made for a purpose, and that purpose is really to know God and to serve God and to love God, and to serve other people by -- serve God by serving others. You know, you can't really serve God directly, Larry, not here on Earth. The only way you can serve God is by serving other people. KING: Since you believe in God, if an agnostic or an atheist is doing good, God appreciates it, according to you, right? WARREN: God wants us all to be loving to each other, there is no doubt about that. In fact, Jesus wouldn't have made any distinction between someone who was of a different background. The issue was, do they love him and do they have a purpose? Are they following his purpose? See, I believe that we were made by God and that we were made for God. And that until we understand that, life isn't going to make sense. Now, really when it comes to... [[full transcript here]] BUT, when a pastor DOES present the TRUTH of Christianity he is made out to be a fool or an enemy of the people. When the well-known author and preacher John MacArthur was involved in a discussion with leaders of various religions, he was made out to be the bad person in the group because he quoted Scripture which says that you cannot obtain salvation by any other way than Christ. (Acts 4:12) [[ transcript here]] As a final comment, it IS divisive to preach the truth. What did Christ say? He said that He did not come to bring peace but a sword! (Matthew 10:34) The Gospel would separate the believer from the wicked person. It MUST divide the one from another! So remember, it may be uncomfortable to preach the truth now (you may have to suffer persecution -see recent events here- or even death), but think of your reward in heaven one day! Back To Article Listing*

The Church In Decline - Why?

Seekers:

I have noticed that many churches are in decline. Some are doing well, but does that necessarily mean they are correct? Here are a few thoughts after looking at a few churches /movements.

The first thing I see is that the true GOSPEL is not being preached. It seems that it is unpopular to offend those who are not true Christians and who are "seekers" (to use the modern term). The problem is that the church programmes become "seeker" focused rather than Christian focused. The church needs to make disciples who are then further educated in the Word of God. These then go out and make more disciples. How can this be done if all the focus is on the sinner and making things comfortable in the church so that the sinner is not offended?

What did Paul say:

1Cor 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

The Gospel IS OFFENSIVE to the lost!!!

What then is the Gospel?

1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures;

1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:

Thus we see that the Gospel is (1)Christ died for our sins (2) was buried (3) and rose again on the third day. Therein is the fundamental message of the Gospel. It is NOT true that you will "find your PURPOSE" by attending a seeker-friendly service or programme; it is NOT true that you always be wealthy when you come to Christ. Things will NOT always go your way!

What IS TRUE is that a loving God does not want you to land up in an eternal hell. However, if you reject the method of entry into His presence (The Lord Jesus Christ), you WILL face the penalty for your SINS. Since God is just, holy and righteous, He has to be consistent with His nature and condemn all sinners to punishment (HELL- Yes it's REAL) UNLESS these sinners have repented of their sin and accepted Jesus Christ as their saviour. What this does is this: When God sees a repentant Christian, He does not see the sin BUT He does see the Blood-Cleansed person who has had his sins forgiven : Result - NO PUNISHMENT, rather eternal happiness with Christ in heaven when we die (or are taken to heaven if Christ comes before we die! )

What then is not being fully preached is the Cross and its result described above.The message that "seekers" are on their way to hell if they do not repent is OFFENSIVE to the world. However, if we do not preach this, then we are unloving, not loving! Once we preach the correct message, God will add to the church,according to what is said in the Scriptures.

For the churches in decline, I have noticed that the one I attend does not actively disciple ALL people in the community. Thus, people are not hearing the Word of God; I am sure that God is judging these type of "comfortable" churches.

For the "seeker-sensitive" churches that seem to be doing well, it does not follow that they are producing Christians who are capable of discipling others. Perhaps some are saved in spite of the teachings of these churches, not because of them. Some think they are Christians, but are merely following Christian behaviours. They DO NOT really know the Jesus of the Cross.

Sadly this apostasy will continue unless the TRUE Gospel is preached again and ministers/ pastors are not afraid to present the full Gospel message, however uncomfortable it may be. I do however believe that we are in the Great Apostasy ("falling away"; 2 Thes 2:3) as foretold by Scripture, so it's going to be difficult to get through to people. Remember, however, only the Holy Spirit can convert people; you can only preach the Word.

"Melting Pastors"

Anybody seen (or read the transcripts of) the American TV show "Larry King Live" on CNN? During the last few months King has had some prominent religious on his show. Guess what? They run away from the exclusivity of the Gospel (NO OTHER WAY).

Rising star Joel Osteen (you even find his books in many stores in this country) did untold damage to the belief of Jews, Muslims etc when he failed to give the Biblical answer to King's question of whether Jews and Muslims go to hell if they do not accept Christ as saviour. His response :

�You know I'm very careful about saying who would and wouldn't go to heaven. I don't know��

(emphasis mine) [[transcript at CNN here]]

He did try to make an apology to Christians after the show, but the damage was done. Should the AUTOMATIC response of any true believer not be that JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY?

Rick "Purpose Driven Everything" Warren interview:

KING: You can, though, Rick, have a purpose-driven life and be an agnostic or an atheist, can't you? Still do good, still help others, still have purpose?

WARREN: Absolutely, you can help other people. I believe that we were made for a purpose, and that purpose is really to know God and to serve God and to love God, and to serve other people by -- serve God by serving others. You know, you can't really serve God directly, Larry, not here on Earth. The only way you can serve God is by serving other people.

KING: Since you believe in God, if an agnostic or an atheist is doing good, God appreciates it, according to you, right?

WARREN: God wants us all to be loving to each other, there is no doubt about that. In fact, Jesus wouldn't have made any distinction between someone who was of a different background. The issue was, do they love him and do they have a purpose? Are they following his purpose? See, I believe that we were made by God and that we were made for God. And that until we understand that, life isn't going to make sense. Now, really when it comes to...

[[full transcript here]]

BUT, when a pastor DOES present the TRUTH of Christianity he is made out to be a fool or an enemy of the people. When the well-known author and preacher John MacArthur was involved in a discussion with leaders of various religions, he was made out to be the bad person in the group because he quoted Scripture which says that you cannot obtain salvation by any other way than Christ. (Acts 4:12) [[ transcript here]]

As a final comment, it IS divisive to preach the truth. What did Christ say? He said that He did not come to bring peace but a sword! (Matthew 10:34) The Gospel would separate the believer from the wicked person. It MUST divide the one from another! So remember, it may be uncomfortable to preach the truth now (you may have to suffer persecution -see recent events here- or even death), but think of your reward in heaven one day!

Back To Article Listing