ORANGE —
The primary difference between preaching and teaching is that teaching is to impart truth as information to be learned, while preaching imparts truth to be lived. Preaching that doesn’t cause action, growth and aggressive involvement in the winning of souls is really a failure.
God’s Word a failure? Yes, because we have made it entertainment. We have let the excitement of the message and the presence of the Spirit become a religious entertainment. We have told ourselves that going to church and feeling God is what serving God is all about. Like one man put it, “Preacher, I don’t believe what you’re saying, but I like the way you say it.”
Once I had the opportunity to visit a church which was pastored by a well-known convention and camp meeting speaker. I expected a vibrant, alive, soul-winning congregation, but I was disappointed. The auditorium only had about a hundred worshippers who showed no enthusiasm about serving God.
Jesus referred to seed (the Word) being placed in good soil (people) bringing forth fruit. He expects His Word to bring forth a harvest. Farmers seldom celebrate planting like they do harvesting a good crop. Why do we feel so good about crop failure? James wrote, “Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear!....Anyone who sets himself up as ‘religious’ by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption fro the godless world.'” (James 1:22, 23 & 25 The Message)
Religion
The danger of good preaching
- Religion
-
-
Annual Memorial Day program set for Sunday
A long-standing tradition of honoring those who served and gave their lives in defense of their country will continue this Sunday afternoon in Orange.
-
Vidor church collecting items for tornado victims
A church with a reputation for helping those in need across the state is reaching out to its neighbors to the north.
-
Revival to help Orange African American Museum
Minister of Samaritan Way Outreach Ministries Barbara Myles wanted to do something to help the Orange African American Museum.
-
The Most Exciting Lesson You'll Ever Learn
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22.6).
-
Haters
Have you ever had to deal with someone that you really do not care for?
-
The inestimable worth of one soul
A gem dealer was strolling the aisles at the Tuscon Gem and Mineral Show when he noticed a blue-violet stone the size and shape of a potato.
-
Church Calendar 5.18.13
Church events for the week starting May 18, 2013.
-
Mother’s Day, It’s about Children
Mom would have loved the abundance of beautiful wild flowers that now blossom alongside our Texas highways in the spring.
-
Mother's Day Survival Kit for Befuddled Dads
First, my disclaimer, I am not a dad and second I have only been married two years.
-
Men Step Up, Males Bow Out
I was talking with a young mother who was crying.
- More Religion Headlines
-
