When the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, he told them plainly, “For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, 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” (1 Corinthians 1:22-24).
It is interesting to note that even in the first century there were those who were not content with the plain preaching of the Word of God, just as people today are not content with a “thus saith the Lord.” The simple preaching of the gospel no longer seems to suffice. Instead people want to be entertained, or they want to be told how to feel good about themselves. The biblical commentary on this generation would rightly be, “For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:43).
How sad it is when those in the world and even in the church today ridicule those who choose to preach the Bible, (i.e. those who choose to preach God’s plan of salvation.) It is my prayer that sermons in pulpits today continue to close with the simple steps of salvation, because that is what will truly save someone’s soul.
It is disturbing to realize that people do not want to hear scripture. They would instead prefer some lesson in philosophy or psychology, or perhaps some lighthearted talk which has little or nothing to do with God’s Word. It is frightening to think that there are pulpits where little to no scripture is being used.
“My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
May we continue to look for the truth!