I'd like to reflect on 2 sermons I recently heard.
The first sermon (I caught less than 3 minutes of it), was on a TV in a hotel room two Sundays ago. It was preached in what appeared to be a stadium, but I think it was the regular church building. The man who gave the sermon seemed sincere-- He's quite popular... he is "America's Pastor." He assured the worshipers that "God would take them places they never dreamed of going" and that He could "fulfill their wildest dreams." As the camera panned the neatly dressed crowd I saw smiling faces. The crowd was huge! I'm guessing that one Sunday's offering/collection from this place could meet the annual budget of the church I attend. It would seem that the dubbing of this man as "America's Pastor" is an apt one... America's pastor, keeping the "American Dream" alive.
And I heard a sermon yesterday. This man too was sincere. The subject was vastly different, as was the size of the crowd... several empty seats in the sanctuary, and an offering that barely keeps up with (and ocassionaly lags behind) a modest budget. This pastor began his message with a scripture text: "Put to death... Put to death... Put to death therefore what is earthly in you." The crowd wasn't smiling. The pastor then proceeded to step on the proverbial toes of many of us, myself included. He lovingly challenged us toward holiness (without which, no man will see the Lord.)
My take on the two sermons? The first one left me shaking my head in disbelief. Did the Father send the Son, Jesus, to the cross so that my wildest dreams could be fulfilled? And yet, here was a packed stadium hanging on the words of this "pastor." Perhaps a man left there feeling hopeful--- maybe that dream of a million dollar home at the shore wasn't out of reach after all... ?
The other sermon, from this relatively obscure pastor, left me convicted about the sin in my life, and aware of the dangers if I refuse to change course. My particular sin is laziness. I've been aware of it for many years. This morning, however, I was up at 5:30, meeting with the Lord... just as my pastor recommended. I took his warning seriously... I must put laziness to death, and for me, it will be a daily killing.
Solomon said there is nothing new under the sun. In the days of Israel false prophets abounded. Remember the cleverly devised set of horns used by Zedekiah to prophesy to Ahab and Jehoshaphat exactly what they wanted to hear (1 Kings 22)? "Thus says the Lord, with these you shall push the Syrians until they are destroyed!" What hopeful words! "And all the prophets prophesied so and said, Go up to Ramoth-gilead and triumph; the Lord will give it into the hand of the king." This brought a smile to Ahab's face.
But then there was Micaiah, a faithful prophet of the Lord. He never cheered the king's heart. His word did not leave a smile on their face--their "dream" was to triumph in the battle--Micaiah's word was this: "I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd."
Thank you pastors of Trinity Fellowship... for speaking the truth in love... so that WE will not be scattered sheep, wandering on the mountains.
Extremely well said. I have to echo Petros' thoughts. I did not have a smile on my face either as I listened to our pastor's words yesteday concerning 'putting sin to death'. It was hard to hear...but I heard every word of it. The Holy Spirit would not let me do otherwise. Then this morning, I
ReplyDelete'just happened' to turn to a devotional by Paul Tripp, from his book "A Shelter in the Time of Storm" entitled 'One Beauty':
'One thing, one thing, one thing!
It's hard to imagine One thing when I seem to be attracted to so many things.
It is a continuing struggle. It's a daily battle. It's my constant war. The world of the physical attracts me, excites me, magnetizes me, addicts me. I confuse consumption with satisfaction. I confuse satisfied senses with true joy. I confuse a stomach that is full with a heart at rest. Sometimes I would rather have my appetites satisfied than a grace-filled heart. Sometimes I would rather hold the physical than have the eyes of my heart be filled with the beauty of the spiritual. I am tired of seeing only what my physical eyes can see. I want eyes to see what cannot be seen. I am tired of craving people, possessions, locations, circumstances, positions, experiences, appearances...somehwere in my heart I know that only You satisfy. Deep in my heart I want You to be enough. I must quit moving, running, driving, pursuing, consuming. I need to stop. I need to be quiet. I need to sit in the seat of Grace and wait...and wait...and wait until these blind eyes see, until this cold heart craves the one beauty that satisfies...the one beauty that is You.'
Yes, Lord, I am hearing what you are saying to me. MY laziness scares me, and discourages me. But, discouragement is a tool of the devil. It will only depress me & cause me to say "What's the use?". If I did not believe that God's grace is available, minute by minute to fight this battle. there would be no hope. To chip away @ my laziness, my flesh, and gain even small victories, little by little, day by day with God's Grace gives me hope. Looking 'up' gives me hope. The promise of eternity, that Jesus purchased for me by His blood, gives me hope. I HAVE no other hope. The battle CAN be fought, and progress made. The flesh CAN be disciplined and the beauty of the Lord CAN transorm me. No, not all at once, as I would like to have it...but I must never give up hope.
Put to death...put to death...put to death! Gaze at His Beauty! I too am SO grateful to our pastors for telling us the truth of God's Word. Grateful that they have the courage to preach the 'hard stuff', and not just that which would make us feel good. I feel sorrow for those weekly listening to 'America's Pastor' It is going to result in their being weak in the Lord. We are blessed to be under the teaching and authority of those who would have us be strong in the Lord. Thank you again, men. Thank you my God, that you never give up on me!
I am deeply grateful for the fruit being produced in the lives of God's people. Thank you all for your willing and attentive ears.It is clear that you are being swift to hear and slow to speak. Praise God for the grace of humility and for the grace that flows even more freely to those who are humble.
ReplyDeleteIt s a privilege and joy to pastor such sheep.
Tim
I always feel some hesitation in writing the kind of thing I posted this morning. God forbid that I should criticize the least of His servants. The contrast between the sermons was so striking... just wanted to point it out.
ReplyDeletePeter, you helpfully drew an appropriate contrast that is too seldom seen in our day. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteDo not be too hesitant----faithfulness to the Savior and love for His church at times demands standing and speaking against error, even witin the church.
Thank You Bruce...
ReplyDelete