THE DUTY OF DISCIPLINE

 

As concerning church discipline, when all is said and done, there is often more said than done. We may be hearers of the Word, but not doers of the Word—and that is self-deception. Too often we use grace as a license to tolerate the intolerable. That is what had occurred in the Corinthian church as we hear Paul forcefully confronting a matter of egregious promiscuity in 1 Corinthians 5. 

Paul underscores the duty of THE ASSEMBLY, “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit,” (v. 4a). The saints assemble in the name of the Lord to proclaim the glory of His name. All that occurs in that assembly is to honor Him. If we tolerate that which He would never endorse, then we defame His name. Notice that Paul calls on the church to take action. He does not act on his own, nor tell the pastor to excommunicate the unrepentant member. The sin was public and so the correction was to be public also. 

Church discipline does not begin here. There is a process as our Lord declared in Matt. 18:15-20. But if one on one confrontation does not bring repentance, then there must be two or three to communicate the seriousness of the sin, and should that fail it is the duty of the assembly to demand repentance, or else the member is to be removed.

This action rests in THE AUTHORITY, “with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (v. 4b).  When the church assembles, the Living Lord Jesus Christ is present with the congregation. It is not human authority, but heavenly authority that is foundational to such a grave action. In Revelation, we see Jesus walking among His churches, (cf. Rev. 1-3), and over and over He calls out to them, “Repent, or else!”  

The church is not the pastor’s church.  It is not the people’s church. It is the Lord’s church—and He carries absolute authority. So, the body of Christ can act with authority in directing and disciplining the membership as those who are under His authority. The body cannot be healthy unless its immune system defends against the infection of iniquity. Failure to do so brings the eventual death of that congregation.

The seriousness of church discipline is seen in THE ACTIVITY, “deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus,” (v. 5‬‬). When a member is excommunicated from the body, they are moved from the church’s spiritual protection and thrust into the domain of Satan. They will suffer physically in order to be saved spiritually. 

The activity of discipline is not ultimately punitive, but restorative. The church’s responsibility is not ended when the wayward member is removed. Through intercession and compassion, they may be led back to the fold as they confess their sin. The act of discipline reveals whether they are a straying saint or a stubborn sinner—the difference seen in Peter’s repentance after denying Jesus and Judas’ recalcitrance after betraying Jesus.

A CONSUMING FIRE

 

Jesus is our perfect pattern in all things good. In John 2:17, He is seen to fulfill the prophetic word of Psalm 69:9 in His consuming zeal for the house of God.   It is a startling portrait of Christ’s holy passion for His Father’s house. 

Do we have a zeal for God’s house?

I fear there are only a few scattered embers glowing in a few places—and that most “worship” services have the appearance of ashes. Once a fire burned there, but it went cold a long time ago. Revival happens when someone stirs the ash, finds a hot coal buried there, the breath of God blows upon it, and we fuel it with our prayers. It is then the fire can be rekindled. How I long to see it!

Or do I?

If revival tarries then it is not the fault of God. Nor can I point to the godless environment around me, though the world indeed seeks to water any spark. I can rightfully scorn the false fires where carnal Christians mistake emotionalism for a deep work of repentance that is needed.  But to make that the focus is to miss the coldness in my own heart. 

Will it start in the pulpit?

If the preacher does not have a consuming passion for the house of God, then it is unlikely anyone in the congregation will. I think of a chorus I heard many years ago, and invite you to make this your plea:

My eyes are dry
My faith is old
My heart is hard
My prayers are cold

And I know how I ought to be
Alive to You and dead to me

But what can be done
For an old heart like mine
Soften it up
With oil and wine
The oil is You, Your Spirit of love
Please wash me anew

With the wine of Your Blood. (Keith Green)

TURNED BY TRUTH

 

How did we ever get anywhere without GPS?  I get in my car and tell Siri where I want to go, and directions are spoken me. I am told of hazards to avoid, and navigated to my destination.

Preachers are to be like that. We are meant to navigate people accurately through this world and into the world to come. Zechariah is told by the angel Gabriel that his son John will be such a messenger of God.  He will turn them with truth. 

The problem is that we are all headed the wrong direction. Sin has brought darkness and we cannot see the way. To continue on that path is to end in the wreckage of wickedness—a fiery crash. People must be turned by truth. John would do that. Truth would turn me to God, and now it is my job to direct others. 

We turn the hearts of sinners to the Father. This is the basic course correction required. Gospel truth has the power to do so. John would minister in that spiritual power, as had the prophet Elijah. You recall that Old Testament man of God and how he called a depraved culture to turn from paganism to the Living God. Sadly, many would not, but some did.  For most it made no difference, but for those who responded it made all the difference. John the Baptist would point people to the Lamb of God—the Lord Jesus. Preacher, are you confronting sin and calling for repentance?

Further, we turn the hearts of fathers to their children. The home is the discipleship factory. When fathers turn to God, their hearts are directed to evangelizing their children. I cannot imagine a dad who is right with God who would not have a passion to bring his children to heaven with him. Yet, fathers must be encouraged and equipped. That is the church’s role, and it begins with the pastor in the pattern he sets and the principles he shares.

Thus, like John, we turn people from being disobedient to being justified. This is accomplished by the truth of God’s Word faithfully proclaimed. We prepare people to meet God.

A HUMBLE SERVANT

 

John the Baptist was one of the greatest preachers ever. Jesus said that concerning those of the Old Covenant dispensation, John topped the list. There had not been a greater mere mortal than John, (cf. Matt.11:11a).  That includes a lot of remarkable preachers: Noah, Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and such. John was number one, as declared by the ultimate Judge!  

Yet, that is not what John saw as he looked at his reflection in the Jordan River. He was not dressed in finery, nether dined of delicacy, as he wore a robe of camel’s hair and leather belt, eating locusts and wild honey!  Though multitudes thronged to hear him and his message of repentance, delivered in the sacred anointing, resulting in masses of baptisms, he was content to be a voice crying in the wilderness. His motivation was to gather a crowd—not for himself, but to point to Jesus.  “He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease,” John said as recorded in John 3:30. John’s baptism in water was significant, but Christ’s baptism with the Spirit was superlative!  John was a herald, but Jesus was the King!

In our day of celebrity preachers, who have a name that is recognizable and a fame that is considerable, it is good for us to assume John’s position of the lowliest servant whose task was to untie his Master’s sandals. Even so, John felt unworthy of that work!  That was a lowly task, but these were the lovely feet of Jesus!  May we bow at those feet today, in anticipation of the position of worship we will assume as we fall at His nail-scarred feet in eternity!

Brothers, let us make much of Jesus!  May our voice cry out in this spiritual wilderness an announcement that, “The King is coming!  Prepare to meet Him!”

COMPARISON, COMPETITION, AND COVETOUSNESS

 

The quotation here from the Olfords is a reminder of a cancer of the spirit that can consume a preacher with malignant thoughts. It is a viral disease of the soul, ever seeking an opening in our spiritual immune system whereby it can penetrate and destroy a man’s ministry.  I battle it.  Sadly, there are times I succumb to it. We must ever pray for God to deliver us from comparison, competition, and covetousness.

There is the cancer of COMPARISON. One of the first questions you will hear at a Monday ministers’ conference is, “How many did you have in attendance yesterday?”  The temptation then is to pout that we did not have more or to pride that we did. We may brand ourselves a failure and want to quit because others seem to be advancing while we are declining. Then, if we have the higher statistics in how many bottoms we put in a pew and how many bucks are placed in the plate, we may be headed for a fall that pride produces.  Let us just be who God made us to be—the best we can be—where He has called us.

Further we face the cancer of COMPETITION. This is where comparison becomes a passion to see others fail and a desire to see ourselves succeed. In competition, there are winners and losers. The winners are adding to their attendance and the losers are seeing subtraction from their flock. While it is important to be used to grow the church, it is God who gives the increase. Truly, He uses us, but only the Spirit of God can birth new believers. But, it may not be that we are seeking the lost sheep but stealing the sheep from others!  In a competitive spirit, we may profit by transfer growth while others are made poor from it. A test for us is, “How do you react when another church is reaching lost souls?”  Can you rejoice with them? So long as the Kingdom progresses, we should be glad for we are on the same team!

Comparison and competition are really the cancer of COVETOUSNESS. In the Mosaic code, expressing God’s fundamental laws, the sum of obedience to the other nine is in that of the spirit of tenth. Covetousness causes us to seek to supplant God with our own authority. We may covet our own ideas of worship that become idolatry. We want to promote our own name at the expense of bringing glory to His name. We covet the time for our own pleasure that should be devoted to the refreshment of worshipping God. You get the point. Preacher, do you speak against covetousness from the pulpit while harboring it in your heart?  It is such a subtle thing, and therefore all the more deadly.  It can lead a man to assassinate the character of another pastor, to open himself to immorality because of his egotism, to become a rustler of someone else’s sheep, to engage in slander of another brother.  Let us repent of covetousness!

May the Great Physician heal us from this cancer if it has invaded and strengthen our spiritual immune system with grace to prevent its incursion!  I pray that the scalpel of Scripture will cut out this malignancy from me and all God’s servants!

THEY DID NOT REPENT

 

Surely these are some of the most horrible words we find in Scripture. To think that so many would experience such pain—judgment due to their sin—and yet refuse to repent, chills us to the bone.

How often we may have shared the Gospel as plainly and powerfully as God’s Spirit enables us, yet sinners have resisted the message and turned away. In that turning, judicial hardening comes. The stab of the Spirit’s sword in the conscience, oft resisted, tends to callous the soul and such sharp conviction is not felt in the same manner—perhaps ever again.

The preacher may feel a failure at such point. His yearning is for sinners to repent. While it may be true that a preacher does not always bring his “A” game to the pulpit, the Gospel never fails. It is the sinner who fails—they hear, but do not repent.

Let us pray for the Spirit’s conviction to painfully prick hearts. Let us preach with passion and plead for souls to surrender to Christ. Let us present Jesus as clearly and convincingly as we may, yet know that many will reject the message, harden their hearts, and go to a place where there is weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth.

PREACHER, HOW IS YOUR LOVE LIFE?

When I ask, “How is your love life?” I am not referring to the romantic relationship with your wife—important as that is. My question is drawn from our Lord’s accusation against the church at Ephesus, “you have left your first love” (Rev.2:4).   While it was addressed to the church as a whole, the first one to see it and need to apply it was the “angelos,” (Rev.2:1a), the messenger and pastor of that local assembly.  While he would not bear sole responsibility for the degree of the church’s passion for Christ, he would carry a significant role in it.

Jesus is vitally interested in His pastors—the stars He holds in His hand—and vigilantly involved with His churches—the lampstands He walks among (Rev.2:1b).  His focus with Ephesus—beginning with her pastor—was not what they believed in their heads, or did with their hands, but what they lacked in their hearts.  

There was CHRIST’S COMMENDATION. The church—and I would assume the preacher—had many commendable qualities. Jesus acknowledges their dedicated activity and doctrinal fidelity (Rev.2:2-3,6).  We must attend to those.

But, then came CHRIST’S CONFRONTATION. They left their first love. It does not say they lost it, but left it. It was not accidental, but willful. Life is full of choices. Little by little we can immerse ourselves in church business and forget our primary duty, to love God with all our being and our neighbor as ourself.  Labor without love leads to haughtiness: “Look what I have done compared to you!”  Doctrine without devotion leads to harshness: “You do not believe like I do!”  It is not a question of either/or but both/and.  Old Vance Havner said, “You can be straight as a gun barrel theologically and empty as one spiritually!”

We conclude with CHRIST’S CALL (Rev.2:5,7).  “Remember,” the first love and recall those early days when the romance of redemption was a fire inside you. “Repent,” and rekindle that flame. Do it, “or else,” Christ will come and turn the lights out in the church house. If but one member of the church will respond, then Christ can bring revival to that church—and the foremost person in need of repentance could be the man in the pulpit!  May God use this text as a spiritual x-ray to disclose our heart condition!  Now, if you will excuse me, I have something to do—to tend to my soul!

“He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

CONFRONTATIONAL PREACHING

There is a need to include rebuke in our preaching. We are not to be pugilistic in nature—always spoiling for a fight and yearning to beat people over the head with a Bible. Yet, the Scripture is called the Spirit’s sword for a reason. There will be enemies and at times these are not outside the church, but within it.

The old grizzled veteran, General Paul, carried many scars of past conflicts. He challenged the young Lieutenant, Titus, to stand up, speak up, and make his enemies stand down and shut up!

Consider first THE NATURE OF OUR FOE. We can identify the enemy. 

Such are described as, “insubordinate.”  They promptly resist the Word of God and those who preach it. Their sinful autonomy refuses to submit to Scriptural authority. 

They are, “idle talkers.”  These are renowned for the volume of their words—both in the loudness of their speech and the quantity of their words.

Worst of all, they are, “deceivers.”  Such are in league with the father of lies, Satan. False teaching marks them. It is a cancer in the church that must be surgically removed or it will kill a congregation.  You cannot just ignore it and hope it goes away. 

Weigh then, THE NECESSITY OF OUR FIGHT. Their “mouths must be stopped.”  You must confront it or such will, “subvert whole households.”  

If someone were to break into our house and threaten our family in the middle of the night, love would compel us to resist them by whatever means. False teaching places the church family in jeopardy.  The hope for the saints is in confrontational preaching. Likewise, it is the only hope for these sinners—in that a call to repentance might turn them from error to the truth and the salvation of their souls.

Titus was being sent to a difficult church field. It was hard ground, filled with weeds, and spiritually shallow, yet there would be a harvest if he would faithfully sow the seed. Fertile ground was there too.

There are times in our preaching we must be delicate with the straying—for they are a bruised reed and smoldering wick (Matt.12:20). A soft word and a gentle breath is needed. But, there will be those where we  “rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.”  We must be direct with the seductive. May God give us the discernment to know which to apply (Jude 22, 23).

TOUGH AND TENDER

Picture in your mind, an NFL linebacker with rippling muscles and hands of viselike grip, who on Sunday afternoon can bring down a quarterback on a blitz—and on Sunday night can rock his newborn to sleep and caress his wife with those same hands. That is illustrative of the balance between tough and tender needed in a pastor leading a church to confront sin among the membership.

There has been a lack of toughness to tackle this issue in many churches. It is in part a reason for the anemic faith and compromised testimony of a significant number of members.  Yet, there are pastors who are leading their church to confront spiritual malignancy in the body of Christ.  Obviously texts such as Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 5-6, and 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 are prominent in guiding the church in this matter. But, do not forget Galatians 6:1. It reminds us that we must deal with the erring not only with toughness, but tenderness. 

Think of a doctor setting a broken bone to heal. Someone was running, they stumbled and fell, fracturing their arm. They are in pain. Sin can do that to any of us. That is why Paul warns the church to be gentle in dealing with such brokenness. We all can be tripped up by temptation. Pastors are not immune. The competent doctor does not just grab the arm and roughly yank it here and there, for such would bring further hurt and not healing. Skillfully, he sets the bone. He does not ignore the problem, but he does not exacerbate it either.

Discern the cause and cure for correcting the stumbling soul. Apply the proper measure of church discipline with the right mix of toughness and tenderness. The church elders must teach and model this for the church members to follow. It is part of preaching the whole counsel of God.

THE GOAL OF GODLY GRIEF

Someone has well said that the object of our preaching is to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable. It is the second dimension that I want to focus on in this study. There are times when our preaching needs to have as its goal to incite godly grief in the congregation.  

The ultimate aim, of course, is repentance.  Without the conviction of sin—turning to the Lord and from the world—there can be no genuine salvation. For any sinners in the sanctuary seats, we need to use the law of God to bring the full weight of wickedness and impending judgment upon their minds and hearts, so to drive them to the sweet relief of justification. 

But, the saints need to repent also—to a salvation without regret. I think Paul alludes to being saved as by fire as he discussed in a previous letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor.3:11-15).  These will gain heaven, but lose reward. Pastors dare not let the flock settle in for a carnal, compromising, complacent life. Although there is much to say about the need for repentance for salvation in the New Testament, there is also significant content on the matter of repentance for sanctification directed to the churches (see Rev.2-3). 

A lack of godly grief can produce death—the second death for those who have not truly become broken over sin and birthed by the Spirit. It can also lead to death in the church—a spiritual deadness without vitality, “having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power” (2 Tim.3:5a). Jesus said to the church at Sardis, “you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead,” (Rev.3:1b).

What is the evidence of the efficacy of such exposition?=

Vindication, “eagerness to clear yourselves.”  They wanted a clear conscience before God and clean conduct before men. 

Indignation, “what indignation.”  They responded with a righteous rage against evil in their own hearts, first, then in the church, and also the world—a holy hatred of sin.

Trepidation, “what fear.”  This is the fear of a holy God before whom we must all someday give account.

Anticipation, “what longing.”  Looking for the blessed hope when we will be saved to sin no more—not merely being saved from sin’s penalty, nor even just its power, but its very presence!  This has a purifying effect, “And everyone who thus hopes in him [Christ] purifies himself as he is pure,” (1 John 3:3). 

Consecration, “what zeal.”  Godly grief that leads to repentance kindles a fire of consecration on the altar of our hearts. As was said of Jesus, “Zeal for your house will consume me,” (John 2:17; cf. Ps.69:9). 

Mortification, “what punishment.”  Taking sin and self to the cross. Elsewhere he put it, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Col.3:5). They had witnessed this in Paul, “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others, I myself should be disqualified,” (1 Cor.9:27).

“Earnestness,” and “eagerness,” to pursue holiness was the result of Paul’s preaching to them. May we pray the Spirit to so work through our proclamation, as we recall our sacred charge, “reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching,” (2 Tim.4:2).

 Such preaching will not gain the approval of men (2 Tim.4:3-4), but it will gather the applause of heaven (1 Pet.5:4)!  In the end, both preacher and those he has impacted will rejoice together in glory!

RESTORED TO USEFULNESS

We seem to hear increasingly of some well-known pastor who has fallen. For those who don’t make national headlines, there are others in small churches who resign in disgrace.  Is it more rampant, or more publicized? I suspect the former.

Be that as it may—how does it happen and can such a man ever be restored to usefulness?  2 Kings 6:1-7 gives us some guidance.

Consider, THE USEFULNESS THAT IS REQUIRED.   “And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, ‘See now, the place where we dwell with you is too small for us. Please, let us go to the Jordan, and let every man take a beam from there, and let us make there a place where we may dwell.’ So he answered, ‘Go.’ Then one said, ‘Please consent to go with your servants.’ And he answered, ‘I will go.’ So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees.” (v.1-4).  We need servants of God who are usable for there is much to be done. Our usefulness for God requires vision and vigor.

There was VISION (v.1-2).  They saw the need and were moved to meet it. Do you have a burden for the work of God to progress? They called upon Elisha to oversee the project (v.3-4a). Leadership is pivotal for progress to be made.

There was VIGOR (v.4b).  The vision is pursued with vigor! There comes a point when inspiration must give way to perspiration. You need a dream, but a dream isn’t enough. Daydreamers never accomplish anything.

Then, we find THE USEFULNESS THAT IS REMOVED.  “But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, ‘Alas, master! For it was borrowed.’” (v.5).  There will be no success without activity, but activity alone doesn’t insure achievement.

Ponder THE LOAN OF OUR ABILITY, “it was borrowed.”  The ability of the man to chop the tree wasn’t his own, but it was borrowed. Every now and then I’m listening to Rush Limbaugh and he says of himself, “Talent on loan from God.” Well it is. We are stewards—our gifts and abilities are on loan from God. We are going to give an account one day.

Then comes THE LOSS OF OUR ABILITY  “the iron ax head fell into the water.”  He became lax. He didn’t notice that the head of the ax was loosening. His laxity led to looseness and his looseness to loss. We can get so busy working that we stop watching. Jesus warned, “Watch and pray lest you fall into temptation.” If we are so busy in the work of God that we neglect the worship of God we are headed for a fall. Little by little this leads to loose living and loose living eventually leads to lost usefulness.

Thankfully there is THE USEFULNESS THAT IS RESTORED,  “So the man of God said, ‘Where did it fall?’ And he showed him the place. So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the iron float. Therefore he said, ‘Pick it up for yourself.’ So he reached out his hand and took it.” (v.6-7).

Restored usefulness requires A REPENTANT CONFESSION  (v.5b-6a).  He mourned over his loss. He confessed and acknowledged the place where it was lost. There is a godly sorrow that leads to repentance. After Peter denied Jesus, his bitter tears were the seeds of fruitful restoration. You get back on the road of righteousness where you took the devil’s detour. Where did you fall? Confess it to God with sincerity.

Then there follows A RENEWED COMMITMENT (v.6b-7). The stick causes me to think of another piece of wood—the cross. That cross is the source of our cleansing, but it is also the standard of our commitment. You must die to self to be useful for God.

We can be restored also. Where did you fall? How did it happen? Will you repent and seek God’s forgiveness? Come to the cross and you can be restored.  It might be a difference place or a different position, but you can yet make a difference IF you will do DIFFERENTLY.

SUFFERING FOR SPEAKING TO THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE

For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.  Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”  (Matthew 14:3-4)

I heard of an evangelist who began revival services at a small church near Las Vegas.  In the first sermon, he let loose on the evils of alcohol.  After the service, the pastor met with the evangelist and let him know that many of their members sold alcohol, and that if they were offended, then the church would lose a lot of people and the offerings would plummet.  So, in the next sermon, the evangelist unleashed a broadside on greed and gambling.  You might imagine how that went over!  He was warned that such preaching might work in the South, but it would not go over in the Southwest, since virtually every member made their living directly or indirectly from a connection to the casinos.  The frustrated evangelist said, “Well pastor, what sins can I preach against?”  The pastor responded, “Preach about the sins of the Paiute Indians!  We don’t have any Paiute Indians that attend here!”

In many churches today—contaminated by the corrupt culture—it makes people uncomfortable when the subject of sexuality and marriage is mentioned.  How are we to reach the young couples of this generation by demanding chastity, when so many are shacking up?  It is a judgmental turn-off to them to preach on such a topic we are told.  Lest we think this confined to a younger generation, we might be shocked to find the number of older couples doing likewise because of financial considerations.  How are we to preach on adultery and divorce, when so many of our members have gone through this?  Is it not sticking a Bible into a hornets’ nest?  It used to be you could at least preach against homosexuality, but now that the courts have legalized homosexual marriage and the media promotes it, church folk are listening to voices reinterpret Scripture with hermeneutical gymnastics.  Love wins!  How can you preach against love?

You will suffer if you speak to the sanctity of marriage.  That is a given.  Just ask John the Baptist.  He could have preached on a wide array of sins, and avoided this one.  One man had the power to take his life—Herod.  Why didn’t he just look the other way?  Surely, John was too judgmental! 

I suppose that he feared God more than man.  That is always the pivotal point in our preaching is it not?   Whose approval are we trying to gain?   I am not calling on us to be cruel or hateful.  We are to be compassionate and helpful.  If sinners cannot be forgiven, then this preacher will be the first one barred from the church.  Yet, a doctor who avoids diagnosing a disease and offers a placebo is guilty of malpractice.  We cannot cure the malignancy of sin by putting a band-aid over it.  The painful probing with pointed precepts, and the cutting with the scalpel of Scripture are needful, along with a bitter pill of repentance to swallow.  Let us rather die than to be guilty of ministerial malpractice that brings the death of the patient!

SINNERS IN THE HANDS OF AN ANGRY GOD: JONATHAN EDWARDS' IMPACT ON AMERICA

"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God: Jonathan Edwards' Impact on America."

That was the title of a research paper that my son, Caleb, composed for a college history class. His document caused me to reflect on the power of the preached Word to bring transformation—to an individual, a family, a community—yes, and even a nation! It is difficult to imagine the birth of these United States apart from the spiritual awakening that swept over the colonies. Although there were certainly other preachers, most notably George Whitefield, who likewise played pivotal roles, Jonathan Edwards was a remarkable catalyst for the move of God that occurred. The hand of God at work in the church inspired and supported the founding of America. The activity of a Sovereign God brought forth a nation whose government system and laws were rooted in Scriptural principles. That is not to say that all the founders were Christians in the Biblical sense, but even those who were not, had a healthy understanding of truth and a fundamental belief in God and morality that was informed by Scripture. A good number were what we would call evangelicals. Without question, our forefathers had no intent to establish a theocracy. Having fled the unholy alliance of church and state that pervaded European nations—a union that wrought persecution and stifled freedom—they steadfastly refused to have a national church. There was no intent, however, to take the opposite extreme—to confine faith inside the four walls of the church—quarantining Christians as if they were some kind of contagion. Instead, the founders sought the favor of God and acknowledged the benefits of Christianity. Calls to prayer, offerings of thanksgiving, teaching of the Bible, and freedom for the church to advance its mission and ministry were woven into the fabric of America and given government protection—even promotion to an extent.

How things have changed! The mindset of many in power today give lip-service to freedom of religion—so long as it is kept to the church house and doesn’t impact the culture at large. The national conversation promotes political correctness. This new tolerance means that any idea, philosophy, or moral expression (really immoral or amoral) must not be confronted by the church. To do so is to be branded an extremist, a bigot, and a homophobe.

So, should we just accept this, cave in, bow down, and grovel?

We must be loving! That is not even negotiable! The most loving thing we can do is preach the truth that will deliver from hell and open up heaven when Christ is received by faith as Savior and Lord. What the church must do is not to tone down its message, but turn up the volume! Those holy words will only be heeded if spoken by those whose lifestyle mirrors their doctrine.

We need some men in the pulpit like Jonathan Edwards who are not fearful of warning sinners not to fall into the hands of an angry God, but fall on their knees in repentance! As we come to another birthday of America, there is a desperate need for a mighty move of the Spirit. It will not come unless some bold preachers preach the Gospel. History makes that abundantly clear.