Sometimes I think the church forgets that we have to live in the world. In many instances, our brethren and churches are rife with examples of the infiltration of the world. Since this is the case, what's wrong with equipping the saints with a biblical worldview? That would further equip the saints as they do battle against the god of this world.
I've seen comments to the effect that we should preach Jesus and not preach Charlie Kirk. And that's absolutely true. But to preach Jesus includes His warnings to His disciples that they were going to face opposition, persecution, and even death, but to follow Him anyway because the reward was worth it. What happened to Charlie Kirk is one of the clearest examples we have seen in our society of what that kind of persecution looks like. This assassination was not just meant to silence him, it was also to intimidate all of us into being silent and not confront the evil against us. Unfortunately, for many it's working.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! Finally. I agree 100%. The church is dying because of ministers not incorporating Gospel, Jesus, God with current issues. Young families, young adults, and Old need to hear how God is here for us during the pressing times.
Yeah, this last week was horrible, but the reactions I have seen from those "just preach the gospel" folks have been much worse. But in fact, it has caused myself and some of those I am working with currently to double down and say, "No, actually the gospel directly effects and has application in these very situations that you want to avoid and we aren't going to spare truth because it makes you uncomfortable or you haven't matured to the point of disciplining your emotions". I think that has been a prevailing thought and probably explains why Christians are so lost when it comes to understanding what evil really is.
I expect some lines to form as designated by those who want to stay out of it and those of us doubling down. And just like Covid, people are going to know exactly where churches stand, and their memberships are going to start to reflect it.
You are right that we must condemn evil especially huge nation tragedy that has far reaching consequences. I agreed with you reasoning. Unfortunately our Sunday morning preaching made no reference at all. We must not offend anyone at all costs. Largely the reason I was barred from teaching. Sad.
Though I was not at my current location I recall plenty being preached about 9/11.
The reason I am currently blacklisted is because I challenged the whole CRT/BLM and Covid narrative set forth by the Democrats. Everyone wants the truth till the truth shows up, then they kill it.
Christ referred to current events, when he spoke of the men killed by Pilate when they were sacrificing, and of the 18 men killed by a falling tower (Luke 13:1-5).
Christ was engaging in ordinary conversation here, and not preaching a sermon. Yet, the fact that Christ did discuss it means I think that it is suitable for a sermon, since even as ordinary conversation these comments were meant for teaching.
So, using Jesus Christ as an example, the answer is "Yes, current events can be addressed from the pulpit" - although this was not the Lord's regular practice. He did it seldom, and certainly did not rely on current events to draw people and to make sure his message was timely and relevant.
A different question is, if current events are mentioned in the pulpit, what lessons can be drawn from them?
About the men killed by Pilate, Christ did not say "Pilate is a tyrant, what he did was wrong, and we have to fight for our rights."
About the collapsing tower, he did not say "There was faulty construction. This must be investigated so we can be sure such a thing will not happen again. Towers need to be more safely built."
What conclusion did he draw from these two events, both relating to sudden and unexpected death? He said, "except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." That is all.
So, one lesson that might be drawn from the Kirk assassination, is that we are all liable to death at any time, any day. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, and so need to be sure that were are in a right relationship with God, as well as living as we ought today and doing God's will today.
Another application is that the world hates truth, and we are liable to incur the hatred of the world - though I do not know if Charlie Kirk was hated because of his stand for Christ, or because of his opposition to the transgender, feminist and DEI ideologies. I did not follow his work closely and still do not know about his theology or doctrines.
Finally, Jesus said "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." Does that apply here? I really don't know.
Church is where we build up one another. It is where we encourage one another to love and good works. There were no programs. there were no set times. There was no "Order of Worship" (Liturgy - one of those words we used to stay away from, like Clergy).
Where there is building up and encouragement, we do not speak of what our political leanings are - let alone try to convert each other!
I have always been politically "conservative." But that did not blind me to the "good" done by the other side, nor the "bad" done by my own" side...
What happened last week was horrific. But no less horrific as pulling families apart under the guise of "It was a criminal we removed" - where, too often, there was too much laziness to actually find a criminal so we just ripped innocent people off the street! Or shooting a boat out of the water without the slightest evidence and even less remorse... Killing at least 10 people, without any form of process. Like ripping hundreds of children from their environment, and just shipping them off to --- nowhere??
What happened last week is no less horrific. But not any more, either.
Sometimes I think the church forgets that we have to live in the world. In many instances, our brethren and churches are rife with examples of the infiltration of the world. Since this is the case, what's wrong with equipping the saints with a biblical worldview? That would further equip the saints as they do battle against the god of this world.
I've seen comments to the effect that we should preach Jesus and not preach Charlie Kirk. And that's absolutely true. But to preach Jesus includes His warnings to His disciples that they were going to face opposition, persecution, and even death, but to follow Him anyway because the reward was worth it. What happened to Charlie Kirk is one of the clearest examples we have seen in our society of what that kind of persecution looks like. This assassination was not just meant to silence him, it was also to intimidate all of us into being silent and not confront the evil against us. Unfortunately, for many it's working.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! Finally. I agree 100%. The church is dying because of ministers not incorporating Gospel, Jesus, God with current issues. Young families, young adults, and Old need to hear how God is here for us during the pressing times.
Yeah, this last week was horrible, but the reactions I have seen from those "just preach the gospel" folks have been much worse. But in fact, it has caused myself and some of those I am working with currently to double down and say, "No, actually the gospel directly effects and has application in these very situations that you want to avoid and we aren't going to spare truth because it makes you uncomfortable or you haven't matured to the point of disciplining your emotions". I think that has been a prevailing thought and probably explains why Christians are so lost when it comes to understanding what evil really is.
I expect some lines to form as designated by those who want to stay out of it and those of us doubling down. And just like Covid, people are going to know exactly where churches stand, and their memberships are going to start to reflect it.
You are right that we must condemn evil especially huge nation tragedy that has far reaching consequences. I agreed with you reasoning. Unfortunately our Sunday morning preaching made no reference at all. We must not offend anyone at all costs. Largely the reason I was barred from teaching. Sad.
Though I was not at my current location I recall plenty being preached about 9/11.
This was an attack on the very basis of freedom!
Sorry to hear that. Hopefully they understand the opportunity they're missing.
If you want an impotent disconnected church, no, don’t preach about current events nor politics
100%
The reason I am currently blacklisted is because I challenged the whole CRT/BLM and Covid narrative set forth by the Democrats. Everyone wants the truth till the truth shows up, then they kill it.
Excellent work Jack,
T.y. & God bless you
Christ referred to current events, when he spoke of the men killed by Pilate when they were sacrificing, and of the 18 men killed by a falling tower (Luke 13:1-5).
Christ was engaging in ordinary conversation here, and not preaching a sermon. Yet, the fact that Christ did discuss it means I think that it is suitable for a sermon, since even as ordinary conversation these comments were meant for teaching.
So, using Jesus Christ as an example, the answer is "Yes, current events can be addressed from the pulpit" - although this was not the Lord's regular practice. He did it seldom, and certainly did not rely on current events to draw people and to make sure his message was timely and relevant.
A different question is, if current events are mentioned in the pulpit, what lessons can be drawn from them?
About the men killed by Pilate, Christ did not say "Pilate is a tyrant, what he did was wrong, and we have to fight for our rights."
About the collapsing tower, he did not say "There was faulty construction. This must be investigated so we can be sure such a thing will not happen again. Towers need to be more safely built."
What conclusion did he draw from these two events, both relating to sudden and unexpected death? He said, "except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." That is all.
So, one lesson that might be drawn from the Kirk assassination, is that we are all liable to death at any time, any day. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, and so need to be sure that were are in a right relationship with God, as well as living as we ought today and doing God's will today.
Another application is that the world hates truth, and we are liable to incur the hatred of the world - though I do not know if Charlie Kirk was hated because of his stand for Christ, or because of his opposition to the transgender, feminist and DEI ideologies. I did not follow his work closely and still do not know about his theology or doctrines.
Finally, Jesus said "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." Does that apply here? I really don't know.
Amen and amen
Church is where we build up one another. It is where we encourage one another to love and good works. There were no programs. there were no set times. There was no "Order of Worship" (Liturgy - one of those words we used to stay away from, like Clergy).
Where there is building up and encouragement, we do not speak of what our political leanings are - let alone try to convert each other!
I have always been politically "conservative." But that did not blind me to the "good" done by the other side, nor the "bad" done by my own" side...
What happened last week was horrific. But no less horrific as pulling families apart under the guise of "It was a criminal we removed" - where, too often, there was too much laziness to actually find a criminal so we just ripped innocent people off the street! Or shooting a boat out of the water without the slightest evidence and even less remorse... Killing at least 10 people, without any form of process. Like ripping hundreds of children from their environment, and just shipping them off to --- nowhere??
What happened last week is no less horrific. But not any more, either.
I don't agree at all.