EXAMPLES OF COWARDLY PREACHING

The following post is my response to Richard's question as comment to my November 9th post.

"Anonymous said...

Give me some examples of cowardly preaching in your opinion coming from the pulpits today...Richard"

Examples of cowardly preaching are not always found in the pulpit. The pulpit may preach and teach from the Bible and correctly exegete the selected verse(s) but fail in creating courageous practical application. In other words right facts are presented but the leaven of cowardice is exposed by Jesus' disciples not living the life and light of the Word among the death and darkness of the world. These tares of traditions of men sown among the seeds of truth spoken by the God of all creation may sound godly but are really nothing more than men making God a creation of their own imagination, contained and confined according to human understanding. This becomes evident in the "excuse theology" of those having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof, constructing excuses and obscuring truth which declares the God of the Bible as the one true Never Changing God of Power and Might.

 Most often cowardly preaching is observed in believers failing to live as doers of the Word, choosing instead to live as hearers only. "We can never know what God will do", "If it is His will, God will heal you", "That passed away with the last apostle, no longer for today","We have the Bible today. We no longer need the gifts of the Spirit" and other religious cons intended to rob the saints of the victorious lifestyle of being more than conquerors through faith in Jesus Christ.

Again, the preaching in and of itself may not be viewed as cowardly at all. In fact, depending upon the personality of the preacher it may come across as very bold and authoritative. However, the actual authority of the preaching will be in the word being confirmed by Jesus with signs and wonders...or not. Cowardly preaching will be most evident in a point of view being taken from a small portion of Scripture, not having a "whole Bible, wholly God" basis. Most people listening to preaching today do not "rightly divide the Word" due to lack of study for themselves, lacking sufficient interest and discipline to "search the Scriptures to see if these things be so." Choosing the much easier regurgitated "spiritual" food digesting of the preacher spoon feeding them his own vomit. Yes, this is sick. Not my stating such graphic words but the truth of them. Listening contentedly as timid theologians explain away the very signs which Jesus said would follow the preaching of the gospel. By doing so, these false prophets create a schizophrenic identity crisis in the Church which Jesus has identified as His own Body and declared would do even greater works than He did.

This is too obvious on a national level in the United States by the electing as President a man who openly announced points of view in solid contradiction and opposing of scriptural principles. Yet many "Christians" cast their vote of support for such anti-Christ beliefs for the sake of change, his color or civil rights, in solid denial of the Name of Jesus Christ, His Church and His Kingdom. Many of these defectors sat for years under "loud, long and lively" supposed uncompromised and authoritative preachers. However their clear support of those who admit opposing Scriptural morals and principles illustrate the fruit of cowardly preachers. Choosing to identify themselves and those they are called to shepherd with the President and his programs while denying the Christ and His Church. Infecting the Church rather than influencing the culture these hirelings neglect the higher call of God and pander to produce cowards rather than prophesy to convict with courage.

Having said the above, I will close with this thought directed toward those full of the Holy Ghost and courage to unashamedly preach the solid Word of God regardless of sinful society and it's perversity as well as satisfied sitters in their pews.

In Luke 18:18-24 we read the account of Jesus and the rich young ruler. In their exchange this young man states he has learned and obeyed certain Scriptures from his youth. However, when called upon by Jesus to demonstrate a heart of trust in God and not his riches, his cowardice was exposed. Certainly there was no cowardice in the Preacher or His words. Jesus called this man to choose and he did. He chose not to change. From that moment on, this young man could no longer declare his obedience, for in that moment he became disobedient to the word of God. However, Jesus did not chase him down or change His challenge. Nor did Jesus fuss and fume. Instead, He became very sorrowful that this man chose less than the Kingdom offered to him. Then in verse 27, He picks right back up with His purpose and continues preaching the power of God to change lives.

No crying because of rejection. No compromise to religion and tradition. No change to His preaching. Sorrow. Not for Himself but for the one who chose to stay slave to the seen and walk away from the King.

Men will continue to walk away from Him until His return.

But not all. (verse 28)

Reader...which one are YOU?

Richard, hope this answers your question.

Thanks for asking it.

PURPOSE OF "Jesus said...UP YOURS" Web Blog

Today Christianity is looked upon as little more than another group of people united by some code of conduct or concocted creed having very little or nothing at all in common with the Original Pioneer Who first embraced and emulated its ideals. More often than not, being presented as a topic of debate on some talk show or "news" broadcast between a "Christian", an atheist and/or other adherents to false beliefs about God and His Christ in context of political points of view. Therefore, today's proliferation of the supposed "Gospel of Jesus Christ" is far removed from the gospel truth as recorded in Scripture.

Having said this, I must also state my genuine respect and honor of those who have fought and contended for the faith once delivered to the saints due to their spiritual battles in prayer, living their faith without compromise and for some, physical death for their genuine faith in God. This blog is purposed to continue their legacy by fighting for and defending that same faith. The cunning craftiness of men as well as spiritual deception has brought compromise to the genuine faith in many diverse ways. To strike at the root of such, especially in the so called "Christian" community, requires a sharp and precise challenge very similar to the one of Elijah the prophet of God  to the false prophets of Baal. This blog, "Jesus said,...UP YOURS!", is my weapon of choice to reach as far and as many as possible. My ammunition is to purposely present truth which will be certain to offend religion that has deprived, discouraged and even demonized many through erroneous and cowardly preaching and teaching of the Gospel of Christ. It is obvious in observation of current global conditions that what is "preached" today in many cases will never be sufficient to engage the gates of hell, which Jesus said would not prevail against His Church.

I once again must declare to you the reader and God our Father, Jesus our Savior and the Holy Spirit our Teacher, the gratitude, honor and respect which I have for those forefathers of faith in Christ who ran the race and fought the fight that preserved the truth for my generation. May I also be found a wise and faithful steward of the Gospel of Christ. This blog, "Jesus said...UP YOURS!", is intended for that purpose.

These are my thoughts.
What are yours?
Leave them as a comment.
Who knows, they could be worth reading.

INTRODUCING "UP YOURS" Blog

This Blog is based upon my paraphrase of John 10:10 when Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly." In other words, to up your quality of life through knowing Him and continuing in His Word as His disciple. So...UP YOURS!

Be forewarned. This blog is not for the faint of heart, verbally overfed and obese, asleep in the comforting lullabies of today's religious propaganda, content with smelling the stench of their own stagnant flatulence, all the while rejecting the sweet smelling Presence and Power of God's Holy Spirit.

All offense is deliberate and intentional and offered free of charge to all who are fed up with the majority of today's preaching of the gospel being all talk and no power because of the insecurities of hirelings who timidly declare the gospel while denying the power thereof for the sake of job security, fear of man or other carnal motives. The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation and there is a hurting and desperate world in deep need of this gospel of power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit so their faith may be rooted in God and not vain philosophies of men.

But who and where are the true laborers? Those who sow with tears and works of compassion the seed of the Gospel of Christ, uprooting the deceptive tares of hirelings and harvesting the fruit of eternally transformed disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ? Those who have not forgotten, "But for the grace of God, there would I be." Are you one who will rescue the perishing? Will you offer them a Lifeline or just a line? May "UP YOURS" help you live up where you belong as you love others where they are, showing them Jesus loves them too much to leave them there.

Well, so much for introducing "UP YOURS".

I don't have all day. So come back another day for another post.

Have a comment? If you do, make it.

Who knows, it may even be interesting.