During my 35 years of full time Christian service, I’ve seen over and over again, the undeniable and glorious evidence, that God’s Word produces fruitfulness in the lives of those who take the time to study it and are diligent in applying what they learn to their day to day life as believers.

There is no substitute for the preaching of Word of God in the local church and yet so many churches today are replacing it with other things.

There is a large segment of this present church generation, believing that people can be reached not by the God ordained and instituted methods of evangelism and church life, but with a new, man made and in their minds “Improved” version (Yeah right!!). It’s a version tailored to try and reach a culture, that they believe will no longer respond to the simple preaching of the Word of God as past generations have.

Paul wrote to Timothy about this very thing. False teachers, had come into the church and, as always happens, the attack was against the truth of God’s Word. Similar false teachers are in the church today. You can find them in the “Church growth movement” as well as what has come to be called “The Emerging Church” ( I thought that the church emerged on the Day of Pentecost.) And you can even see some of them every day on “Christian” T.V.

There really is nothing new under the sun. The Devil is at work today, just like he was in the days of the early church. What he hates more than anything is the Word of God. He hates what it produces, he hates what it says, in fact he hates everything do to with truth.

He will do whatever he can and use anyone he can, to make sure that the pure preaching of the Word of God, leading to repentance, is removed from as many churches as possible and replaced with some watered down substitute. “A Form of Godliness but denying the Power” (2 Tim 3:5).

Sadly, he has found many modern day preachers that comply. As a result of their own lack of depth, and frankly lack of bible knowledge, they are playing right into his hands.

Instead of the expository preaching, that has transformed lives for centuries, they offer skits, cute stories and illustrations about football, baseball, fishing or some other equally worldly pursuit that they think their audience can relate to. I Have nothing against illustrations, there is no greater communicative tool when used correctly. But I’m sick and tired of feeble attempts to be relevant by comparing Jesus to a quarterback or some other equally ridiculous modern day comparison..

Paul’s words to Timothy are a powerful, personal reminder of the task and responsibility that anyone called to be a servant of Christ has. Let us be prayerfully “diligent” in applying them daily to our lives. Let’s make the preaching of the Word of God, absolutely pre-eminent in the methods we use to reach people for Christ and build and equip His Body.

“Be diligent in these matters give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do you will save both yourself and your hearers: (1Tim 4:15-16).

God bless you all,

Pastor Kevin