Paradise for sale*Scripture free sermons
- R.Stanley, Blessing Youth Mission, India
Paradise for sale!
"My House shall be called the House of Prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves" (Mt 21:13)
Miracles, signs and wonders will be plenty when God visits His people in revival power. Men with such gifts will be believed and obeyed unquestioningly for what all they say. The preachers may take advantage of the situation and make a business out of it. Religion will be commercialized. Huge sums of money will be raised for the pet projects and self-glorifying programmes of the preachers. Also moneyed people will woo and attract gifted preachers to bless their corrupt businesses. Preachers will indirectly promise special prayers for special offering. This is similar to the forgiveness tickets sold by the Pope for building fund. There will be all kinds of business around the "anointed oil" and "blessed handkerchief." Let's beware of attaching any kind and form of price tag to healing. Jesus said, "Heal the sick... Freely you have received, freely give" (Mt 10:8).
There was great joy in the city of Samaria when many were baptized, miracles happened, unclean spirits were cast out and the Holy Spirit was poured out on people. When Simon a sorcerer saw all these things, he offered the apostles money for the gift of impartation of the Holy Spirit. Peter rebuked him, "Your money perish with you!" (Acts 8:5-21). Observe the strict attitude of the apostles in money matters. Covetousness has been one of the primary causes for the fall of many a mighty servant of God. "The love of money is the root of all evil"— especially for those in Christian work. That's why, immediately after making this statement, apostle Paul urged Timothy, "But you, O man of God, flee these things!" (1 Tim 6:10,11).
In the second chapter of Acts we find people laying all their wealth at the apostles' feet. But in the next chapter Peter says, "Silver and gold I do not have!" How come? Yes, the apostles kept the money at their "feet" and not in their fist! That's the right place to keep money. Underfoot! That's how it is in Heaven. Gold underfoot! (Rev 21:21b).
It is "money for ministry" and not "ministry for money." This should not be reversed. Covetousness kills revival.
I would not ask for earthly store — Thou wilt my need supply;
But I would covet, more and more, the clear and single eye,
To see my duty face to face, and trust Thee, Lord, for daily grace!
(J.J. Maxfield)
Scripture free sermons
"Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of
My love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that He may shower righteousness on you!" (Hos 10:12)
The meditation and study of God's Word has played a vital role in the revivals or restoration movements recorded in the Old Testament. The revival under King Josiah and that under Ezra are examples (2 Ki 22:8-11; Ezra 7:10). Amos prophesied of days of famine, not of bread or water, but of the Word of God (Am 8:11,12). I believe these days are already upon us! We hear only stories and experiences from many pulpits and very little exposition of God's Word. News of the preacher's latest overseas trip becomes the body of the sermon. Comparing Scripture with Scripture has become a lost art. People want everything light—light music, light reading and light sermons!
The resurrected Christ missed no opportunity to expound the Scriptures to His disciples. "He expounded in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself, beginning at Moses and all the prophets" (Lk 24:27) to the disciples who were on their way to Emmaus. The disciples were waiting for the Holy Spirit, constantly meditating upon the Scriptures. We see Peter explaining to the disciples what was "written" in the Book of Psalms (Acts 1:15-17,20).
I am nobody to judge anyone, but very few "preach the Word" (2 Tim 4:2). Paul's prediction has come to pass: "The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine...and will turn their ears away from the truth" (vv3,4). Preachers have come down to stay at people's level instead of raising them to the standard of the Scriptures. Because extempore preaching is more popular than expository teaching, even those who are called to be Bible teachers (Eph 4:11) have become mere Gospel preachers. Milk is necessary but how long? No maturity without strong meat! The long-awaited revival will come when God's Word is given its due place (Isa 66:1,2). The Word is the seed, and the Spirit is the rain (Isa 30:23; Hos 10:12).
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a medical doctor turned Bible teacher without any formal theological training. His preaching was based solely on Scripture and on a systematic study of the Biblical text. He not only stimulated the minds of his listeners, but also strove to satisfy their spiritual needs. Will not God give us again men like Dr. Martyn?