Subject: How to "win the world" ? |
Bible Note: Ed, your story about the slick preacher who wooed them by his delivery and not by the gospel of Christ brings to mind a personal experience of some few years back. My wife and I were at that time members of a church from which we have long since absented ourselves (and good riddance!). The so-called pastor went, as I recall, some half dozen Sundays in a row during which in none of his sermons did he ever as much as mention the name of Jesus, much less preach anything remotely resembling a gospel message. He was eventually fired and replaced by a team of ministers who were worse than he was. The church is hanging on by the thinnest possible thread, is having trouble meeting its own housekeeping expenses, and is shriveled up like a prune. The church building is situated in an ideal location in town, and the physical accomodations are modern, comfortable, and well above average. But something is missing. Something vital. The word of God is not being preached, the Good News of the gospel is not being proclaimed in its purity and simplicity. "In vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Matthew 15:9) --Hank |