Sermons and Biblical Studies

For our gospel-believing Christian circles in general, I fear there is an alarming lack of spiritual discernment. Because we have shut out the Holy Spirit in so many ways, we are stumbling along as though we are spiritually blindfolded. Ruling out the discernment and leadership of the Holy Spirit is the only possible explanation for … Continue reading “CHURCH:
SPIRITUAL CONDITION; SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT; HOLY SPIRIT: NEED FOR”

The church is afflicted by dry rot. This is best explained when the psychology of nonexpectation takes over and spiritual rigidity sets in, which is an inability to visualize anything better, a lack of desire for improvement. There are many who respond by arguing, “I know lots of evangelical churches that would like to grow, … Continue reading “CHURCH:
SPIRITUAL CONDITION; RIGIDITY; NONEXPECTATION”

We must have a reformation within the Church. To beg for a flood of blessing to come upon a backslidden and disobedient Church is to waste time and effort. A new wave of religious interest will do no more than add numbers to the churches that have no intention to own the Lordship of Jesus … Continue reading “CHURCH:
SPIRITUAL CONDITION; REVIVAL: NEED FOR; OBEDIENCE: NEED FOR”

Paganism is slowly closing in on the Church, and her only response is an occasional “drive” for one thing or another—usually money—or a noisy but timid campaign to improve the morals of the movies. Such activities amount to little more than a slight twitching of the muscles of a drowsy giant too sleepy to care. … Continue reading “CHURCH:
SPIRITUAL CONDITION; CHURCH: CULTURAL IMPACT”

Times are bad in the kingdom and getting worse. The tendency is to settle into a rut, and we must get out of it.… When God sends some preacher to say this to a congregation and the congregation is even half ready to listen to him, they say to themselves, “I think the pastor is … Continue reading “CHURCH:
SPIRITUAL CONDITION; CHURCH: APATHY; FELLOWSHIP: NOT THE ANSWER”

I believe that a pastor who is content with a vineyard that is not at its best is not a good husbandman. It is my prayer that we may be a healthy and fruitful vineyard and that we may be an honor to the Well Beloved, Jesus Christ the Lord, that He might go before … Continue reading “CHURCH:
SPIRITUAL CONDITION”

First, the fellowship of the Church has degenerated into a social fellowship with a mild religious flavor. In that regard, I want you to know where I stand—it is important and I want to say it plainly. I want the presence of God Himself, or I don’t want anything at all to do with religion. … Continue reading “CHURCH:
SOCIAL CLUB; CHURCH: PRESENCE OF GOD”

The average local church is to a large extent a social organization where well-intentioned people get together and know each other. They are drawn together by coffee, tea, friendship, skating parties and things like that. Those things are harmless. But when we know what the church really is, we will understand that while these things … Continue reading “CHURCH:
SOCIAL CLUB; CHURCH: FOCUS”

In the light of this it will be seen how empty and meaningless is the average church service today. All the means are in evidence; the one ominous weakness is the absence of the Spirit’s power. The form of godliness is there, and often the form is perfected till it is an aesthetic triumph. Music … Continue reading “CHURCH:
SERVICES; WORSHIP: MEANINGLESS”

Within the last quarter of a century we have actually seen a major shift in the beliefs and practices of the evangelical wing of the church so radical as to amount to a complete sellout; and all this behind the cloak of fervent orthodoxy. With Bibles under their arms and bundles of tracts in their … Continue reading “CHURCH:
SERVICES; PASTORS: PROPHETIC MINISTRY”