Weekly Devotional 7-5-14
Not By Programs, But By Proclamation
Many churches of our day seem to be moving away from proclaiming the Word of God as their means of reaching people for Him. Programs are replacing the preaching of the Gospel. Old hymns have been replaced with songs that move people to clapping and dancing in the aisles. Choirs have been replaced with praise groups. The organ and piano have been replaced with drums, guitars and various brass instruments. The attitude seems to be, “just do whatever it takes to get them inside the building and we can love them to the Lord.
Such practices may have value, but people are not saved by any of these things. People are saved by the proclamation of the Word and the effectual work of the Holy Spirit. The author of the book of Hebrews, writing to fellow Jews wrote, “The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 NKJV). The Word of God, presented by the Holy Spirit, is able to accomplish what nothing else on earth can do. It brings realization and conviction of sin and of one’s separation from Holy God. Further, it identifies Jesus Christ as the only means by which restoration can be accomplished.
God calls a person out of spiritual darkness into spiritual light and the Holy Spirit regenerates in them new spiritual life. A person is saved when they understand that they are a sinner, and because of sin, are separated from Holy God, that sin must be confessed to God and repented of; that God only accepts the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, for the payment of sin. We of the church may love someone until it hurts, but salvation will not be effectual apart from the calling by God and the convicting and converting work of the Holy Spirit. This then is what the church is to do, we are to proclaim the Word of God; Not create programs that may entertain the natural man, but does little to enlighten the soul. Also, the Word of God, not programs and entertainment, is what matures the Christian. As stated above, programs and entertainment may have value, but apart from the inclusion of the gospel (the Word of God) preached or taught in the power of the Holy Spirit, these activities will come to naught.
Returning to the book of Hebrews we read that the writer and his companions wanted to deliver to their readers much deeper things concerning Christ, but found it difficult because their readers were still in spiritual infancy. Coming to the writer’s letter at verse 11 of chapter 5 we read of the priesthood of Christ “11of whom it was said we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14But solid food belongs to those who are of full age (spiritually mature), that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Help us Lord to look to your Word for growth, not programs and entertainment, and help us Lord to depend upon your Word in reaching others and leading them to you.
stevelampman@comcast.net /stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The work of God on Behalf of Man
www.gbchurch.us