Are you being properly taught the Word of God? To know if
you are, let us compare the teaching methods of our Lord Jesus Christ with the
methods of modern pastors.
The majority of
modern preachers like to fill their sermons with quotes from philosophers
and popular life-enhancement gurus. They agree with modern church leaders and
tend to shy away from the meat of the Word, focusing instead on fluffy stuff
like ‘Is Social Media Evil?’ and ‘Ghosts’ and other conciliatory items that can
hardly even be categorized as Christian.
How did Jesus Christ
teach? How did He view the teachers of his day, the wise men, the
philosophers, the church leaders?
The methods of Jesus’ teachings are the opposite of modern
preachers. He rejected the sayings of
the teachers of His day, and instead quoted scripture. Who did he excoriate?
Was it unbelievers? Those living in poverty? No, our Lord Jesus condemned the
corruption of the church authorities. He disputed their traditions and rituals.
He overturned their money-changing tables. He Pointed out their sins and proved
their methods to be contrary to Scripture—by quoting Scripture!
This should be our method today. In two millennia the
methods have changed, but the message has not. Perhaps we would be better
served (and better servants) if we wound the clock back and followed the example
our Lord Jesus employed. We need to get back to Jesus. Let’s start by following
His way of teaching.
Jeremiah 6:16 offers far better advice than anything coming
off the pulpits today: ‘Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths,
where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls.’
Hebrews 5:12-13 explains the flaw in the teaching methods of
church leaders during Jesus’ time, and it explains the flaw in the teaching
methods of church leaders in our time: ‘Though
by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the
first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not
solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of
righteousness, for he is a babe.’
Contemporary ‘theological experts’ would have us believe
that, because times have changed, this has necessitated a change in the way we
teach and learn our faith.
This is complete hogwaller. Just read those verses above
again. Notice how remarkably poignant they are to today’s issues. With the
churchliness and self-improvement shtick and obsessive focus being on the
Church instead of on its Head, and with the watering down of Scripture to
create a larger all-inclusive faith, it is clear that our leaders are, at best,
mere babes in Christ. It is also just as clear that we desperately need someone
to teach us again the first principles of our faith.
Unfortunately all our teachers are too busy focusing on the self-improvement
programs touted by New Age and New Thought leaders who are more interested in
being accepted by the world as tolerant of pretty much everything, than in
honoring our Creator and Savior.
Their quotes may sound uplifting and motivational, but they often
seem to miss the point of church, and sometimes even forego Christianity
altogether to teach a more passive seven faiths fellowship that borders on
blasphemy.
Jesus taught us to love our neighbors, not accept their
sins. What do you think the point of the Pentateuch was? It was to make vividly
clear to us that we (like the Israelites) must serve only one God; we must be
careful to avoid being influenced and corrupted by other faiths.
Scripture clearly teaches that there is only one way to God,
and that is through Jesus Christ. If we are to believe the bible and accept its
truths, then we must acknowledge this one also. The question you must ask yourself
about your church leader is this: Do his methods suggest he is teaching belief
in the bible? Do his methods even have anything to do with Jesus Christ and Him
crucified?
It is a vital question. Your very soul could depend on it.
Don’t search your heart. Search Scripture and know that He
is God—He, and He alone (Psalm 86:10). 1 Kings 18:16-45 is a wonderful place to
start if you want to see our faith in action against other faiths. This world
would confuse you and make you think all religions are basically the same. But
in order to believe the Word of God, to live as a true Christian, it is time
you take off your blinders, turn from serving other gods, and serve the One who
died and rose again and sits at the right hand of God, for you. Amen
Here is a
link to a video of Pastor Paul Washer making an excellent point.
