Preach the Word

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.
And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures.
We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,
while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day
when the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us,
and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them.
You have the authority to correct them when necessary,
so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.
(Titus 2:11–15)

There is a major problem with adapting a church to fit the lost person, rather than the church following God’s design for what He intended it to be. Here it is, plain and simple. The church is a body of people called out from among the world for the distinct and unique purpose of glorifying their Saviour and Lord. Nowhere in the book of Acts or the epistles do we see a church called to provide a subculture for nonbelievers. The lost don’t need to find at church a world that’s like their world outside the church. The church is not competing with the world. Jesus is not a brand.

The church needs to guard against compromising the Word of God so that it tastes more palatable to newcomers. Christians suffer when we do that. I’ve said for years, “Sermonettes are for Christianettes.” If our churches give a little eight-minute sermon, we are not feeding the flock. Instead of teaching them, we’re tantalising them. Instead of stretching and challenging them, we’re entertaining them.
Our congregations need pastors who study hard, pray hard, and prepare well-balanced meals, then open the Scriptures and teach people how to study the Word for themselves. That’s what gives them stability in hard times, discernment in the midst of deception, and the strength to stand alone.

It takes more than a gift expressed with skill to make a church contagious. It takes a context. It takes an entire church functioning as a place of grace . . . with leaders setting the pace.
Let me urge you who are considering adopting the emerging church philosophy, or the “seeker church” strategies, to take a good look at what you are trying to do—and why. Be sure to look at it biblically. Be certain you can support any change you plan to implement from the Scriptures. Don’t look to Mars Hill in Acts 17 while ignoring the essentials of Acts 2. Instead of searching for justification in the Bible, search and pray for direction from the biblical text.

A place of grace releases and affirms; it doesn’t smother. Grace values the dignity of individuals; it doesn’t destroy. Grace supports and encourages; it isn’t jealous or suspicious. In the church, grace is the means by which the gospel is preached. But it also becomes the context where God’s written commands are taught.