Wednesday, May 09, 2007

A final thought from Christianity and Liberalism
by J. Gresham Machen.

"Weary with the conflicts of the world, one goes
into the Church to seek refreshment for the soul.
And what does one find? Alas, too often, one finds
only the turmoil of the world. The preacher comes
forward, not out of a secret place of meditation
and power, not with the authority of God's Word
permeating his message, not with human wisdom
pushed far into the background by the glory of
the Cross, but with human opinions about the social
problems of the hour or easy solutions of the
vast problem of sin. Such is the sermon....Thus
the warfare of the world has entered even into the
house of God, and sad indeed is the heart of the
man who has come seeking peace."

However, when the Word is upheld and preached, and
when man's opinions are pushed to the background
and God's truth is sought, then "If there be such
a place, then that is the house of God and that
the gate of heaven. And from under the threshold
of that house will go forth a river that will
revive a weary world."

3 comments:

Susannah said...

I trust that Kent does not do this: The preacher comes
forward, not out of a secret place of meditation and power, not with the authority of God's Word permeating his message...
.

Anyone who desires to minister effectively (like us!) must be attuned to the Spirit. Human wisdom can and does solve problems, but the Word of God slices through and penetrates like nothing else.

A nice piece of encouragement, thanks! :~)

LeftCoastOnlooker said...

That explains a few things we've been seeing in recent months -- thank you.
Praying for you.

Laurie said...

No Kent does not do this. He spends many hours each week in studying God's Word and prayer. It is my great joy to be able to discuss with him as he works his way through the Scriptures and the books of great men of God.