A Call to Action

Synopsis

It is overwhelmingly obvious that the Western Church, more specifically the church of America, has a problem that needs to be fixed. How can we know? Look at how society is crumbling around us. For centuries the church has been the metaphorical foundation for all just civilizations. The church is not a man made institution that imposes its own fabricated beliefs on mankind. The church has its own foundation. In the Word of God Paul says this about it:

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. (Ephesians 2:19-21)

The church has fallen victim to the winds of doctrine and human cunnings of the world. It has whored itself away to become "inclusive" to outsiders and their flood of debauchery (1 Peter 4:4). Consumerism and its derivative, the entertainment industry, is a carefully devised scheme of the devil to keep the world and even the saints in an inescapable comfort zone that allows them to ignore the true nature of that which is going on around them. The only way for this strategic ploy to be countered is through the Word of God. Think back to Christ's encounter with the devil in the wilderness. For every challenge or temptation that conniving serpent offered to Jesus there was a counter from the Word of God.

If we are to be imitators of Christ, then we need to begin to fight back against the godless ideology that is metastasizing throughout our culture and has even infiltrated the church. The only way that this can be done is by God's Word and an unrelenting commitment to the lordship of Christ in all areas of life. The only way that we can fight back with God's Word is to know His Word. We can never know the Word unless we immerse ourselves in it daily (1 Timothy 4:15-16). By knowing the inspired Word of God as he has delivered it to us, we cannot help but to understand Christ's rule and reign in heaven and on earth.

"Brothers, what shall we do?"

Notice the title of this article is not "A Call to Stand" but rather "A Call to Action". The church has "stood" long enough. Stagnant and comfortable in her own righteous bubble and comforting herself by saying Christ is just around the corner to take His bride. Granted, Christ is closer than He was yesterday, but Christ by His Spirit through Paul also chastised the Thessalonian church for having slothful members because they expected His return to be any day (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15). It brings to mind Proverbs 24:33-34 which says, "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man." We are not called to sit and await His return while "protecting" our own salvation in the midst of a cruel and depraved world. We are called to make disciples, baptize, teach obedience and conquer. The whole earth shall be filled with His glory (Psalm 58:5; 72:19; Isaiah 11:9).

We begin by confessing our sin of idleness to the LORD and even amongst ourselves. We confess to God that we have chosen the comfort of the "American Dream" (or nightmare) over a risk for the advancement of His kingdom. We get back to seeing the Word of God as the single most important governing document in all of civilization. We see the Bible as timeless and applicable to all people of all ages and generations; not a book that is outdated and unrelatable to our post-postmodern world. This all comes to a head in the shameless, forthright preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people in all places. Christians can no longer kick aside the parts of the Bible that are hard to talk about or unappealing to the fallen man. Our call is to preach all of Christ and His written Word in all areas of life.

This preaching begins in our homes. Husbands preach to your wives literally and by representation. Show her that you cherish Christ above all things including her. Save your skin by waiting no longer than five seconds to immediately follow up with the truth that because you cherish Christ supremely she will have a better husband. Wives preach to your husbands. Set an example so that your husbands, though derelict in his own commitment to the Word, "may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives" (1 Peter 3:1). Fathers do not provoke your children to anger (Ephesians 6:4) but instead raise them with a healthy fear of the LORD. Teach them His word and His attributes that are manifested in the Word, "..teach them diligently to your children, and... talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (Deuteronomy 6:7)

Pastors, preach Christ crucified every time you step into the pulpit. Do not give motivational speeches or some fabricated story about an event that happened to you the prior week. Do not dance around Romans 9-11. Preach the Word. Preach applicable messages. The Spirit speaks to all things through many passages. Do not be hesitant to break from a sermon series to preach on a global issue that sprung up during your prep the prior week (Floyd, coronavirus, inauguration, etc.) Your sheep need to be fed God's Word. Why not show them how to see Christ and live Christ and cherish Christ in the current challenges that they are facing in their day-to-day lives?

God Gives the Growth

None of these beginning points will ever do anything if they are done by our own willing and working. We must pray without ceasing that God would act with favor upon our endeavors. Our planting and our watering are all wasted if God does not give the growth and He is pleased to work through the petitions of His saints. Start today by praying that God would change your heart and instill a zeal within you for His Word and His glory. Ask Him to take the gifts that he has given you and use them for the advancement of His kingdom here on earth. Take risks knowing that His will will be done. Do not waste your life in the comfort zone of the American dream. Clinging to this "dream" is a one way ticket to an eternity of misery. Get zealous for the one who gives you all things.

One Last Thing

The goal of these articles is to be short and to the point. There are plenty of wonderful sites out there that will give you 30-45 minute articles on a wide array of topics. Here you will hopefully find, for the most part, 5-10 minute reads. This is not to say that there will never be a longer article but that will depend entirely on the topic and the writer. Thank you for taking time to read this scramble.

Now, to he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.