Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Meets weekly at 907 Hillsboro Boulevard, Manchester, TN, 37355. Currently, our church is without a pastor/elder and the members meet weekly for praise and worship in hymn, prayer, reading of Scripture, study of the word, and fellowship.
Much of what passes for church teaching today would could be compared to syrup instead of steak.
While the sheep sit hungry, many themselves unaware of their inner pangs, the peddlers blast forth their stories and anecdotes providing nothing more than sugary sweets that do nothing but rot the teeth and damage the health of those listening.
The days are long gone when ministers were Pastor-Theologians whose prime responsibility was to study God's Word. Indeed, as an observer of much 20th century practice stated: on the door of the pastor's room we no longer see the word, "Study," but "Office." So it is not surprising that many who stand before congregations are all smiles and stories; they have not been digging into the Bible nor seeking God all week, they have been administrating; they have been devouring self-help manuals, church directories and the latest fad in how to get more folks in and making sure they stay with all the latest entertainment gadgetry and wizardry that has replaced somber and sacred worship of the Almighty.
In contrast to all the popular and widespread practices of today, the words of one of the few Frenchmen I admire, instruct us in another direction.
"The Theologian's task," notes Calvin, "is not to divert the ears with chatter, but to strengthen consciences by teaching things true, sure, and profitable." Institutes (I.XIV.4).
A simple remedy. May it be heeded, so the sheep are edified, filled, and grow in their salvation. All to God's glory.
Let us re-open our Bibles, not for mere illustration to support our own colorful stories, but to present the full counsel of the Lord. The Word set forth as faithfully as possible is our only hope; indeed, God is our only hope. But not the god of most congregations and preachers, but The Sovereign Jahweh, the Triune God of the Holy Bible; Him alone must we declare.
And as His glorious Gospel goes forth, it will accomplish all that His heart desires, in both the saving of the elect and the sealing of the reprobate.
Let us return from entertaining the goats to establishing the sheep. Amen!
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