END TIME ADVICE - KEEP THE FAITH

WHAT ABOUT YOUR MINISTRY IN THESE CONFUSING DAYS?

My years have afforded the memories of good times - when there was work, school, and church. Church was our social life.  Church provided our good friends, and the congregation became our family.

Ministry was easier, somewhat, as to compiling the message.  Sermons included topics such as: salvation, healing, the Holy Spirit, and the Rapture of the Church.

Life in our country was simple.  We rarely heard of happenings in other nations around the world.  I remember as a young girl feeling scared of Russia, communists, etc.  even though they were far away and I'd never met anyone from that country.

TIMES HAVE CHANGED

Cable news now brings all things shocking right into our living room.  We are watching people behave in such shocking ways that NEVER would have been done or said in our younger years.  Ministry is challenged.  Some have succumbed to easy-friendly-seeking-sermons.   SIN can no longer be at the forefront because it will offend much of the congregation and they will withhold tithes!  We must not offend them!  Heaven forbid!

So, what is the answer for ministers today?

Rick Renner says it best.  Here is a snippet from his email, titled: End Time Advice.

Then Paul wrote in 2 Timothy, verse 5, “…Make full proof of thy ministry.” The Greek word for “full proof ” is plerophoreo, which simply means fulfill. Paul was urging Timothy to complete his ministry and bring it to its fullness. Although Paul was addressing Timothy directly, he was also talking very specifically to us — to those who would be alive at the end of the age. I believe this refers to our generation, and it certainly explains why we see so much nonsense going on in the world around us concerning the way people think and believe. This kind of deluded thinking and believing has even crept into the Church.

The pure preaching of doctrine is often replaced today with motivational speaking — nice, uplifting messages. In fact, the majority of people in modern congregations are ignorant of the most elementary aspects of New Testament doctrine. And very often, those who occupy the pulpits — although they may be masterful communicators and rate highly among motivational speakers — are equally uneducated in basic Bible principles. Many of those who do know the Bible don’t preach it as strongly as they once did because it’s not as popular as other types of messages. The result of this compromise is a drift from the Holy Scriptures. And this drift continues, seemingly unabated, while the doctrinal vacuum in the Church is being filled with motivational messages and “new-and-improved” church-growth programs. Yet when everything is said and done, only the Bible has the power to permanently transform a life.

Well,  folks.  Here's the answer.
1.  KEEP IT SIMPLE
2.  PREACH IT SIMPLE
3.  PREACH AGAINST SIN
4.  PREACH SALVATION
5.  PREACH JESUS
6.  PREACH HELL HOT AND HEAVEN REAL
7.  HOLD TO SOLID DOCTRINE
8.  DON'T COMPROMISE
9.  GUARD AGAINST COMPLACENCY
10. GUAGE YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THAT WHICH IS SIN

Hold on.  Keep the faith.  Be steadfast.  Walk in the power of the Spirit.
Jesus is Coming.  He is with you.  He will never leave you nor forsake you.
He's all we need.
Preach it.  Love it.  Live it.

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