"When the truth of the gospel is compromised or negotiated, the church ceases to be evangelical. We live in a time of crisis with respect to truth, where many churches see doctrine merely as something that divides. Therefore, they stress relationships over truth. That is a false distinction, as a commitment to truth is a commitment that should manifest itself in vital, living relationships. Relationships can never be a substitute for embracing the truth of God. So the either/or fallacy of doctrine or relationship cannot be maintained under careful biblical scutiny. .....
David F. Wells describes the crisis of the twenty-first century church as "vacuous worship." A vacuous worship is one that is empty of content. It is satisfied with platitudes, pop psychology, and entertainment. Such worship is devoid of the Word of God and of the authentic sacrifice of praise. .....
In every generation, including our own, the same perils to the spiritual strength that Jesus rebuked in the seven churches of Revelation threaten us anew. These include such things as a lack of love, a lack of truth, a compromising spirit with the world, a lukewarm devotion, and a double-minded conviction, to name but a few. There were rebukes and encouragements given to these churches by our Lord that every church in every age must take seriously, examining ourselves to make sure that we are not manifesting the same departures from biblical truths that these churches were. We must be vigilant and diligent if we are to maintain a godly witness in our day." -Dr. RC Sproul, From Tabletalk Magazine, May issue.
The Church has become shallow in the deep things of God. May the Lord give us a great, and even painful, hunger for His Word. And when we are really hungry, then we will eat. And may He also give us a great thirst for His Spirit, and then we will drink, and out of our lives will flow rivers of joy, love, and peace. The Holy Spirit will only produce fruit, His fruit, in our lives, as we eat the Word, and drink from the divine fountains of the Spirit.
"“Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David." Isaiah 55:1-3
2 comments:
Is that first quote (When the truth of the gospel...) from Tabletalk magazine? I like what I heard there, and want to know a little more.
Yep. I took some excerpts from RC's article this month. The title of his article is: The Perils Facing the Evangelical Church, Right Now Counts Forever, methinks. It's like he has two titles. I don't get it. Whatever. It's RC at his best. What a teacher this man is.
He's sort a friend too.
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