On My Mind...
I’m such a dinosaur. My kind is all but extinct. I find myself in conversation with other pastors and think, “Are we talking about the same thing? Are we reading the same book? Is this what the church has become?” It’s not just that I’ve gotten cranky as I’ve gotten older and it’s not that I’m set in my ways and I don’t like this “new fangled music” or these entertainment palaces they call churches - it’s deeper than that. I don’t recognize the gospel they preach. Where is the denouncement of sin? Where is the call to repentance? Where is the absolute necessity of the cross? I hear the call to having your best life now. I hear the call to a happier, healthier, wealthier existence. I hear the call to claim your miracle now. I hear the call to social justice, the need to repentant of past racial and social injustices but where is the call to repent of the wickedness within the individual heart? Where is the plea for mercy because of rebellion against the will of a Holy God? Where is the acknowledgement that all have sinned and are deserving of God’s holy, righteous and unrelenting wrath? Where is the clear declaration that there is only one way to ever be made right with God and that is through the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ?
In a world long on tolerance and short on fixed, settled truth, there is a need for the church to return to biblical faithfulness. A need for the Church to be the Church, the guardians of the truth once and for all handed down to the saints. His name was Jude, he was the half-brother of the Lord Jesus and he was writing to a struggling church in a hostile environment. He pleaded with them to “hang on.” To be faithful to the charge given. Faithful to the truth delivered to the saints and to contend for it with their lives if need be.
In verses 5-7 he warns his readers about abandoning the truth. You won’t find Jude 5-7 on a refrigerator magnet, that’s for sure! But it is a much needed truth for our day. Jude reminds us that biblical faithfulness demands that we warn of the terrifying consequences of sin and unbelief. I know, that’s not popular but it is true. Verse 5 makes it clear, unbelief and presumption upon the grace of God are devastating. Writing to those who were steeped in Old Testament theology, he calls on them to remember what happened to Israel. After the deliverance from Egypt and all of God’s provision to preserve his people, they took His grace for granted. Suddenly, it was not grace at all, it was something God owed them. He pointed them to the events of Numbers 14 and how they refused to believe God’s promise. He then pointed to Numbers 25 and how they abandoned the Lord and married foreign wives, bowing down to their gods. The anger of the Lord burned against His people and 24,000 died!
In verse 6, he reminded them of God’s judgement on the angels who left their proper dwelling. Even the angels of God were not spared. Then verse 7 reminds them of Sodom and Gomorrah. I realize it’s old fashion but we need to preach the biblical gospel. A message that warns of the devastating consequences of sin and rebellion while declaring the wonder of God’s love in providing salvation for all who will believe. It is not a matter of “either or” but rather “both and.” May we be found faithful.
I’m away from the office this week having tested positive for COVID. Lord willing, I will be back in the office on Wednesday of next week. Thank you for your prayers.
Rod
In a world long on tolerance and short on fixed, settled truth, there is a need for the church to return to biblical faithfulness. A need for the Church to be the Church, the guardians of the truth once and for all handed down to the saints. His name was Jude, he was the half-brother of the Lord Jesus and he was writing to a struggling church in a hostile environment. He pleaded with them to “hang on.” To be faithful to the charge given. Faithful to the truth delivered to the saints and to contend for it with their lives if need be.
In verses 5-7 he warns his readers about abandoning the truth. You won’t find Jude 5-7 on a refrigerator magnet, that’s for sure! But it is a much needed truth for our day. Jude reminds us that biblical faithfulness demands that we warn of the terrifying consequences of sin and unbelief. I know, that’s not popular but it is true. Verse 5 makes it clear, unbelief and presumption upon the grace of God are devastating. Writing to those who were steeped in Old Testament theology, he calls on them to remember what happened to Israel. After the deliverance from Egypt and all of God’s provision to preserve his people, they took His grace for granted. Suddenly, it was not grace at all, it was something God owed them. He pointed them to the events of Numbers 14 and how they refused to believe God’s promise. He then pointed to Numbers 25 and how they abandoned the Lord and married foreign wives, bowing down to their gods. The anger of the Lord burned against His people and 24,000 died!
In verse 6, he reminded them of God’s judgement on the angels who left their proper dwelling. Even the angels of God were not spared. Then verse 7 reminds them of Sodom and Gomorrah. I realize it’s old fashion but we need to preach the biblical gospel. A message that warns of the devastating consequences of sin and rebellion while declaring the wonder of God’s love in providing salvation for all who will believe. It is not a matter of “either or” but rather “both and.” May we be found faithful.
I’m away from the office this week having tested positive for COVID. Lord willing, I will be back in the office on Wednesday of next week. Thank you for your prayers.
Rod