Recently I viewed a cartoon that depicted two churches across the street from each other, whereas, both pastors were standing in front of their respective church signs preparing to welcome folks to their respective church services. The sermon series listed on one of the church’s sign stated, “What God Has Said”. The other church’s sign listed the sermon series as, “What You Would Rather Hear”. The cartoon showed a robust group of people entering into the church building with the latter sign; while no one was entering the church building with the former sign.
This characterization truly speaks of the heart of many so-called “Christians” today. Church pulpits are filled with men who are eager to preach messages that make you “feel good” and “satisfied” about yourself as an individual, and people flock to hear these types of messages. These folks are very emblematic of what the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:1-4,
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
Did you notice in the latter portion of this passage that “after their own lusts they will turn to teachers who will tickle their ears with men pleasing messages”? Subsequently, “they will also turn away from the truth and will turn to a social gospel”, for which no one is called upon to change and to follow the ways of the Lord; but to live according to their own pleasures and desires. The consequence of following this type of preaching / teaching necessarily omits any discussion relative to repentance, sacrifice, suffering, and true service unto the Lord. And why would there need to be any mention of repentance if sin is not discussed, beginning with Romans 3:23,
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
and followed with 1 John 1:9-10,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
A church that does not preach about sin will ultimately not preach about salvation; for, they will only talk about “we are all God’s children”, thus “we are all good – bound for heaven”; so, “just do good works and you will be accepted by God”. Therefore, in effect, they make the individual lord over God. Sacrifice and suffering will never be taught because it is not palatable to the person seeking to “feel good” and “satisfied” about themselves. In fact, they are expecting the Lord to accept them as they are “sin and all” – and they expect God to give them all of their heart’s desires. Concerning their service unto the Lord, this will be limited to “church attendance” and giving a few “alms” in the offering plate. But remember what Jesus stated in Matthew 7:22-23,
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Now let’s turn our attention to “What God Has Said”. The Bible teaches that if we will repent of our sins, we shall be saved. Romans 10:9,13,
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved…For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Then we are called upon to “deny ourselves and follow Jesus”. Luke 9:23,
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
And yes, there may be “suffering”. 1 Peter 3:14,
“But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;”
1 Peter 4:16,
“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”
Then at the end the Lord can state, Matthew 25:21,
“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”
But, this only works through the transformative work of the Lord in our hearts and our lives. Romans 12:2,
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
The question that now remains is, “What do you want to hear – what God has said, or that which tickles your ears?”
