Posted on 03/12/2017 8:55:24 AM PDT by metmom
Many today argue that we can’t preach with authority because we need to have a flexible approach to all aspects of theology. By “flexible” they mean accommodating all beliefs, but truth is not “flexible” when it comes to absolutes; it’s solid and unyielding—an anchor. Truth liberates. Truth rebuilds. Truth restores. Truth heals. Truth transforms. Truth prevails…you don’t change truth; truth changes you!
During The Yale Lectures on Preaching (1891) by James Stalker, Stalker rightly noted Martin Luther’s list of qualifications for being a minister. Two of the top ten were: 1) “He should be sure of what he means to say.” 2) “And be ready to stake body and soul, goods and reputation, on its truth.” Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Knox, and many more, flamed the fires of reformation with the truth.
God has clearly called preachers to preach. “Preaching is never something that a man decides to do. What happens rather is that he becomes conscious of a call” (D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones). When God calls a person He gives them authority and power to proclaim His truth—“the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.”
(Excerpt) Read more at westsidechristianfellowship.org ...
ping
let’s shoot Comey and all the Obama hold-overs into space with circus cannons. Testify. I say hallelujah
I wonder if this writer is related to Kyle Idleman, who is a pastor in Louisville, KY. I watched a video series produced by Kyle Idleman’s church.
The first letter in the Bible is “bet” which is the second letter in the Hebrew alphabet. It is also the Hebrew number TWO, and its pictograph is that of an enclosure. It represents the first distinction and the separation of inside from outside.
It is the first prophesy in the Bible and it says that YWHW will decide the separation of good from evil, righteous from wicked, believers from non-believers.
To teach that there is no true, or that the Word of God is not true, is to decided to join the wicked in the Eternal Lake of Fire. Eternity is forever.
I have no idea, but it’s not like Idleman is a real common name.
I never heard it until I ran into this guy’s preaching.
He has church online. I don’t think it’s a huge church. The size of the front and the worship team don’t suggest that. I find that big churches tend to have more extravagant worship teams and tech crews.
http://westsidechristianfellowship.org/LIVESTREAM/
The Sunday morning services are livestreamed at 9 and 11 AM Pacific time.
FWIW, I don’t have any vested interest in this guy. Never heard of him before running into some of his articles in Charisma Magazine and don’t know anyone who goes there and never been there myself.
Good articles, lots of helpful comments. Kyle Idleman was good, too ;-).
It was that God loved me even though i was a sinner and that he didn't even care what i had done but that he loved me anyway that's what converted me.
..." the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?"
soft doesn’t save? Many millions of people have been saved under ‘soft sermons’ and many millions have been saved under ‘hell fire and brimstone sermons’
The apostles used both- some churches had ot be taught forcefully- some not so much- It is not the preacher that moves the heart- it is the Holy spirit and only the holy Spirit- to suggest that pounding home the message enables the Holy Spirit to be more effective is almost claiming that it is the pastor or preacher’s technique that ‘fires up the Holy spirit to move a congregation’
The above preacher rips on folks like David Jeremiah- but the fact is that people listen to him, Grow in the Lord- become effective witnesses with wish help, and help to spread the word in the communities and workplaces- and a great many people get saved outside of the church as a result-
Effective preaching is not about technique- Effective preaching doesn’t always mean a congregation has to break down and weep, shout, sing in joyous rapturous emotional states of joy and thanksgiving- Effective preaching is also done in quiet churches that are quietly going about the Lord’s business all through the week, having been blessed By God through the sermons they heard-
There is a time and place and season for everything- and the spirit listeth where it will
Some people need comforting messages- some need to hear podium pounding hell fire and brimstone messages-
Some new Christians need to be nurtured comfortingly, some need to be confronted and chastised for wrongs in order to keep moving forward- Some folks need the excitement of a podium pounding preacher, some need to hear from a preacher who is gentler- but ALL need to hear from a man of God who enables him to preach the message as God would have it presented-
Many years ago- there was a church in town that didn’t peach salvation, but there were a number of saved folks there- and I knew of one in particular, and I asked someone oneday how such a person could go to such a church- the answer was simply “The spirit listeth where It Will” and it was explained that the woman who attended that church as a Christian was playing a vital role in leading the other congregates to Christ despite the fact that the preacher wouldn’t preach a salvation message-
I was being judgmental about the woman professing to be a Christian while attending a church like that- but it was a humbling AND comforting experience ot have it pointed out to me that I was being wrongfully judgmental - comforting because it was encouraging to learn that the Spirit does work in mysterious ways, and can even use propel in churches that don’t preach a true gospel to reach the lost souls there- I still tend towards judgmental ism, but I do try not to be- as I’ve learned that it is not my blueprint God uses for saving others- but it’s all His work- and He will and does work wherever He will However He decides He should
Idleman says here.....
I’ve heard sermons from many postmodern and emerging leaders, and I’ve heard countless sermons from people such as John Piper, James MacDonald, Alistair Begg, Paul Washer, David Jeremiah, Jack Graham, John MacArthur, Ravi Zacharias, and so on; it’s amazing to hear the difference. The former speak as “advocates”—dialoguing, discussing, and pondering everything; the later speak as “witnesses” overcome by the magnificent power of God’s Word. Authority matters!
Actually, he doesn't. I thought so too at first but reread what he said and realized I had not read carefully.
He supports people like David Jeremiah.
I think that the point he's trying to get is that we need to take an uncompromising stand about the truths of Scripture.
Preaching that God loves you is not, necessarily *soft* preaching. The examples of post modern and the emergent church are about outlooks that downplay the judgment of God and do a squishy gospel that doesn't give the WHOLE truth about God, us, and our need for salvation.
Coming to Jesus because of what He can do for you or that someone promises He will wants to prosper you is coming for the wrong reason and while I think that some people may be saved in that, I also am concerned that a lot of people are led to believe they have a right relationship with God when they don't.
ok i misunderstood the comment by him-
Way off topic- but ran across this 16 year old musical genius on youtube- thought folks would enjoy it- as the judge said- He’s a freak of nature- there are a few other videos of him improvising as well- the one where he’s in japan was phenominal- just amazing to see such talent- hoep you don’t mind the post link- if so just report the post and have it removed- no worries-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysEM3ojgMfk
Every one out there trying to preach the gospel will say that they were called by God
But how many of them were really called by God to preach the Gospel?
Maybe some of them out there just thought they they were called to preach the Gospel when really they were just called to plant corn.
Certainly possible.
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