A Unified Message
October 2020 |
We know something has to change. The very fabric of the Judeo-Christian society of America is being shredded right before our eyes. Simply put, we need a revival. We pray for a revival. There must be a revival, but what kind of revival are we looking
for? We need to be specific.
As the church, we need to allow God’s Word to define what we are looking for in a revival. We must preach a unified message if we desire to see a true Christian revival. If we do not preach a unified message, there is the danger that we could see a revival of relationship, as well as a revival of religious acts at the same time. It’s time for a unified message.
Comparing Religion to Relationship
Allow me to explain. Relationship with God is quite different than participating in religious activities. Religion by definition is “an organized system of beliefs, standards, rules, and even ceremonies used to worship or obtain the favor of a god or gods.” Relationship, on the other hand, speaks of “a loving position of rest.” We rest from our labor because of our faith in what Christ accomplished for us at Calvary. We abide in that love, no longer trusting in continuous labor as a means of becoming acceptable to God. We were made acceptable through the blood of the Lamb, and only through the blood of the Lamb. This is the unified message we need to preach.
Don’t Underestimate the Power of Preaching
What is said behind the pulpits of America influences the views of the congregation for good or for bad. Pastor Donnie Swaggart rightly said that every sermon has a spirit behind it. It is either the Holy Spirit or a demonic spirit. With this being the case, what is preached does matter. People will be drawn in three possible directions: toward a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, to an increased fervor in religious activities, or to embrace the views of those who are presently opposing the Christian values of America.
Unified Message
During the formative years of the church in Corinth, Paul saw the need for a unified message. “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (I Cor. 1:10). This unity in judgment, message, and mind was with the ultimate goal of seeing lives changed through the power of the cross and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
A Plethora of Messages
There is a plethora of messages being preached from the pulpits of America today. Some are biblical, but most are not. This is not new. Most of Paul’s writings came about because of a need to address error caused by an influx of erroneous preaching. In contrast, Paul stressed the singleness of his message. “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (I Cor. 1:23-24).
The Message Must Not Change
True Christianity was established and, therefore, must continue to be based on the completed work of Calvary. The message must always remain Christ and Him crucified. The church must abide in a simple faith in what Christ has accomplished at Calvary. If we are to see a revival of true Christianity (relationship), we cannot preach any other message. We must preach relationship and not religious activities. If not, there is the danger of a revival of religious works, which is antithetical to true Christianity. We must, therefore, present a unified message. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9).
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