Preach The Word.

Today we’re going to do a super quick lesson today on the absolutely importance and the role of God’s Word. The text for our discussion today is going to be from 2 Timothy 3:16 and 2 Timothy 4:2-5.

2 Timothy 3:16 reads like this; All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Timothy 4:2-5 reads like this; Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

I want to read you a few statistics I found that really caught my attention:

• Did you know that only half of America’s pastors (51%) actually have a biblical ,worldview? Now, for those who don’t know, a worldview is “the framework or the viewpoint from which you view reality and make sense of life and the world around you. So, someone with a biblical worldview believes that the bible is the actual Word of God – and they allow it to be the foundation of everything you do and say. Okay? So, only 51% of pastors believe this.

• Did you know that less than 10% of sermons preached ever mention hell, salvation, or heaven?

• Did you know that 30% of Evangelicals agree that Jesus was a great teacher, but deny that he was God?

• Did you know that 80 - 90% of all new converts eventually fall away and go back to their former life?

• Did you know that at least 2.3 million people leave the church every year.

• Did you know that 70% of all young people who grow up in church leave the church by their 20's.

• Did you know that 57% of churchgoers say they have never had a “religious” experience that changed their life?

Did you know that one in four pastors (25%) say that meeting a person’s physical needs is more important than telling them about Jesus.

Did you know that 69% of churchgoers believe that everyone will go to heaven?

• Did you know that 54% of churches in the U.S. allow openly, practicing gay and lesbian couples as part of their membership. (And, in many cases, as part of their leadership.)?

Now, the obvious question is, “In a country that claims to be a Christian nation – and claims to have approximately 160,000,000 adult Christians; (not counting children) – and that has literally tens-of-thousands of churches – not to mentions tens-of-thousands of other organized ministries, and television ministries – radio ministries, internet ministries, you name it – how can these statistics possibly be true? Well, I’ll get right to the point and tell you how. It’s because the church today has rejected and stopped teaching to full Word of Jesus Christ. And, as a consequence, I believe that many people who are coming to Christ today are making false conversions (that is, they aren’t really getting saved). They’re coming forward in church - and they’re saying the sinner’s prayer – but they’re not getting saved. I also believe that many people who are genuinely saved are being robbed of the power they need to be transformed and to overcome the sin in their lives.

Romans 1:16 says: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

” This passage makes it clear that it is the Gospel itself that brings salvation to people – it’s not our eloquent speaking – it’s not our cleverly worded spiel – and it’s not our carefully constructed sermon skills. But rather, it is the very gospel itself that convicts, and that calls a person to salvation. But, people aren’t being given the full gospel of Jesus Christ today. They’re not hearing it. They’re being given some watered-down scripted version of the gospel, that does not demand any commitment from the hearer – that does not require that people turn from their sin – that does not require that people be born again – and that does not have the power to convict or to call a person to repentance.

And, when it comes to people who are genuinely saved, but who are not able to find victory in their lives: Jesus told His audience in John 8:31-32, “If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” It’s the truth that frees us, and gives us victory in our life. And, what is tht truth? In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” In John 14:10, Jesus said “the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwells in me.” And, in John 17:17, Jesus said that His father’s “Word is Truth.”

So, what should the church be preaching and teaching to people? Well, it may surprise some people to know that Jesus did not give His followers the luxury of picking and choosing what parts of His Word to preach and teach. In John 15:15, Jesus told His followers that He had told them everything that He had heard from His Father. And,then, in Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commanded His followers to ““Go into all nations and make new disciples...and teach them to obey “ALL THINGS” whatsoever I have commanded you.” In other words, He instructed them to teach others EVERYTHING that He himself had taught and commanded them. Not parts of it – but literally EVERYTHING that He had commanded them during the three years they were together. Also, notice this: Jesus did not tell His followers to just “teach” everything that He commanded, so that the new followers would know it – but, He instructed them to also teach these new followers to “obey” everything that He has commanded. So, Jesus didn’t want His followers to just “know” what He taught and commanded – He wanted them them to “OBEY” what He commanded. But, many churches aren’t teaching this today. Many church leaders are so afraid of being called judgmental – or legalistic – or of hurting people’s feelings – that they have all but abandoned what Christ commanded; and are preaching and teaching what they themselves have decided that people need to hear. And, let me tell you – the Word cannot bring a person to true repentance – and it cannot bring true transformation and victory to a person’s life – and it simply cannot do it’s work if it’s not being preached – if it’s not being taught – and if it’s not being obeyed..

Well look friends, I’m going to close hear because this is intended to be a short article – but let me say this first: Do not totally depend on your church leader to bring you the full word of God. Each one of us have a personally responsibility to get into the Word of God and read it for ourselves. Now, I know that can be a little intimidating for some. But, you’ve got to try. Just pray and God and ask Him to please open up His truth to you as you read His Word. And, please also listen to me here – if you’re going to a church that does not preach and teach from the Word of God – then you need to call your pastor out on it – and if that doesn’t work – then you need to find yourself a church that does.

Now, before we go, if you’re not sure that you have received Christ’s free gift of salvation, we can settle that right now. In Romans 3:23, the bible says that we all have done wrong, and have all fallen short of God standard of righteousness. And, in Romans 6:23, the bible says that the consequences for our wrong doing is death. In a nutshell, that means that we’re all on our way to a fiery hell for all eternity. But, in John 3:16, the bible says that God loved us so much, that He didn’t want any of us to go to hell. So, He sent His own Son – Jesus – to this earth to live a perfect life – and then to die in our place – for our sins – so that we wouldn’t have to go to hell. Do you recognize that you are a sinner, and that you are on your way to hell? Do you believe that Jesus Christ came to this earth as a man – died on the cross for your sins – and that, on the third day, God raised Him from the dead? Do you believe that your only hope for salvation is to trust in what Jesus Christ did for you on the cross? Are you ready to turn from the life you’ve been living, and give your life to Christ so that you can be “reborn” – and Christ can give you a new life? If, you can say yes to all of this, Romans 10:13 says “whoever calls upon the name of the lord shall be saved.” So, let’s call upon the name of the Lord.

“Dear God, I know that I’m a sinner, and that I’m lost. I need your forgiveness and your salvation. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins – that he was buried – and that you raised him on the third day. Please forgive me for my sins. Today I give my life to Christ – totally and completely – never to turn back again. Thank Lord. In Jesus Name. Amen” Now, understand something – the words that you said alone will not save you. It’s not so much about the words you say as it is about what’s in your heart, and what you do. Our prayer is just to give you an opportunity to call upon the name of the Lord, and express what’s in your heart. What it comes down to is this: If you’re sincere about giving your life to Christ, then don’t just say it -- do it. And. if you’re not – don’t waste your time. Christ does not take sloppy seconds. It’s all or nothing with Him. I pray that this article has been a blessing for you, and I thank you very much for your time and attention; and may God bless you.