The Good Of The Father (From The Pulpits) #1965

 

Herald the word.  Stand by it, opportunely, inopportunely, expose, rebuke, entreat, with all patience and teaching

Paul to Timothy (2) 4: 2, Concordant New Testament 

A new question has been offered up this week.  That being, is it the job of the mainstream church to speak out against the immoral issues of our society?  Or, as I commented to he who asked that question, is it the duty of the man created church to speak out against the wickedness of men in our society?  I'll use as an example my time which I spent in the pews of the church.  I recall the outcry the church faced when they proclaimed that the union of marriage was one between one man and one woman.  This came at a time when the state of Oregon was considering an amendment which would allow marriage between same sex couples.  Well, you would have thought that our church pastors had just been convicted of some violent crime.  There were protests outside the church as a few vocal members in the community voiced their disapproval of the moral stand which the church was taking.  However, eventually the same sex marriage amendment passed and the public outrage faded.  This is but one example of what I witnessed during my time in the church when it decided to speak out against what was morally wrong.  Make no mistake, this is the pushback which each and every church will face when they speak out against the evils of society.  I believe that those who believe in traditional morals and doing what is right outnumber those who argue against it in this nation.  It's just that those who would speak out against morality and traditional values seem to have a louder voice.  They definitely have the mainstream media on their side as well.  So, is it the duty of the church to speak out against what we would consider to be the evils of society?  I would say yes.  The apostle Paul spoke to young Timothy that he should "Herald the word.  Stand by it" {Paul to Timothy (2) 4:2}.  I agree with this.  Of course, there will be times when the word spoken by those in the church will butt heads with that which the world considers to be right in its own eyes.  More than likely, the church will come out of these times with a black eye or two on its own reputation.  People may choose to leave the church over the decision to speak out against what is wrong.  But which is more important in the eyes of the Father, proclaiming His truth or filling those pews on a Sunday morning?  

For if I should be bringing the evangel, it is not for me to boast in, for necessity is lying upon me, for it were woe to me if I should not be bringing the evangel 

Paul to the Corinthians (1) 9: 16, Concordant New Testament 

It is Paul who speaks that it is necessary for him to be bringing the evangel of Christ Jesus to the world {Paul to the Corinthians 9:16}.  Is it also necessary for our churches to be bringing that same gospel unto the world?  I would say yes.  Paul was not ashamed of the evangel of Jesus which he spoke.  He did not speak words that others would listen to just in order to get more people to hear him.  Paul wasn't concerned about the quantity, but the quality of his evangel.  He told it like it is.  Sadly, there are in the mainstream church today those church leaders who will speak not to the evangel, but to what people want to hear.  Paul warned Timothy about those who would raise up "Teachers in accord with their own desires" {Paul to Timothy (2) 4:3}.  We've all seen churches such as this before.  Forsaking the word in favor of what man desires them to preach.  This is not the true evangel of the Lord.  This is the church congregation choosing what they want to hear.  Indeed, there will be those who do not want to hear what the evangel proclaims of the evils of our society.  Some of these may be embarrassed by their own life choices and do not wish the spotlight upon them.  Others still might chafe at the idea that the church "Morality police" would put restrictions and requirements upon them.  This is all predictable, as we have been created in the Fathers likeness with that freedom to choose for ourselves {Genesis 1:27}.  God does not want robots following without feeling or emotion.  What the Father desires is for His children to come to Him willingly.  At the end of the day, we're tasked with choosing that church which speaks the truth of the evangel of Christ Jesus and not what man desires.  

For the era will be when they will not tolerate sound teaching, but, their hearing being tickled, will heap up for themselves teachers in accord with their own desires 

Paul to Timothy (2) 4: 3, Concordant New Testament 

~Scott~