Stop the antics...they aren't working anyway

Matt. 19:25c—“Who then can be saved?”

            I would like for us to consider for a moment the process in which one becomes a believer.  How does that occur?  Does it transpire because of some great oration? Or some moving music?  How about a great altar call?  Or perfectly planned lights and smoke?  Are any of these methods the means by which God chooses to save someone?

            Jesus’ answer to His disciples is simple: with men salvation is impossible, but with God all things are possible.  Is it possible we could turn off the amps, shut down the concert lights and stop the scripted calls to the altar and begin again at the foundation to true conversion?  John 6:44a says, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…”  Can music and antics be used to draw men?  Maybe, but it is definitely not the method God used in the Bible.  True conversion in Scripture was birthed out of the preaching of God’s Word.  And it didn't even have to be fancy preaching.  Paul stated that he didn't come with excellence of speech or with persuasive words, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.  I Cor. 2:1-5

            Could we return to that method again and find success?  In today’s seeker-friendly culture many ministers are persuaded to put the gospel down and pick up the latest trend in church growth.  The result: a large congregation of unrepentant, unregenerate people that believe they are saved because they have walked the isle, repeated a prayer or had an experience.  We've used large bands, movie stars, cotton candy and hot dogs to draw in the crowds.  And when they get there, we give them a watered down version of what truth is.  We've replaced repentance with relevance, holiness with happiness and correction with coalescing.  By doing so we have created a “church” that looks more and more like a social club for fraternizing instead of a fellowship for worship.  A place where sinners feel like saints and saints feel like leaving.

            Today, we are not in need of gifted speakers, but rather gifted seekers.  Men who seek the face of God daily, desiring to drink of His wisdom and find sustenance from His Word alone.  We need men to lay down the fancy words and begin again with the simple words from Scripture…”You must be born again.” John 3:7  “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”  Matt. 3:2  As ministers of the gospel, we are called to, “Preach the Word!” not our opinion or what we feel the people want to hear.  Lift Jesus up through your preaching and He will draw all men to Himself.