We live in a very frightening time within the walls of our church buildings. “Pastors” in today’s church are all over the place doctrinally. A simple reading of the Word is muddied by culture, popularity, polarization, Doctorates, Masters, progressivism, pastoral arrogance, and the list goes on and on and on. Do you realize that a church will not hire a man who knows the Word without a piece of paper from a University that tells the church that this man knows the Word?
“You’re just like David!” the pastor screams from the pulpit, “and your problems in life are just like Goliath!”. The congregation is stirring now, excited because this new pastor is connecting! He’s really exciting and passionate about what he is preaching. “All you need to do is release your faith just like David released that stone against Goliath. “Your faith will overcome the problems of this life so get busy and start throwing your faith around like the rocks of David!”. “The Rocks of David” just happened to be the sermon title that Sunday.
It’s a good thing that pastoral search committee had the reassurance of some Christian University to tell them this pastor was okay…
You may have a slight smile on your face or be thinking this is crazy but I guarantee you this message was preached in a church somewhere in our country this past Sunday. Just turn on Steven Furtick and you’ll hear this nonsense every Sunday.
Side thought: Why do people listen to “pastors/preachers” who are on TV or have written countless books? Does all the popularity make them biblically right? Is that what people think? I mean, they’re on TV right? There’s no way they can be wrong…
I’m not against education, I have a theology degree and I am currently in school pursuing another degree in theology. What I am against is the notion that just because a man or woman has some big fancy degree or ordains themselves as an “Apostle” that churches magically assume they are biblical.
For the majority discernment is dead in the modern American church.
What I’m against is pastors feeding the sheep garbage. Whether in ignorance or on purpose, because most congregations out there are not Bereans and probably do not care to be. That is another article for another day.
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” 2nd Timothy 4:1-5 ESV
Why are the above verses so hard to grasp for pastors? Unless you just don’t believe them. There really is just two sides here: belief or unbelief. If you’re preaching that you or your congregants are the hero’s of the biblical narrative then your twisting scripture to meet some need of your flesh. Repent. If you’re reading this and you attend a church where your pastor preaches that you are David and your problems are Goliath then leave. Please find a church where the pastor preaches The Word, not his “take” on it.
Find a pastor who will feed you the pure Word of God.
Someone needs to read this today:
You’re not David. You’re problems are not Goliath. If you believe that then your “mustard seed” is planted in the wrong garden.