I go to a most unusual church. In this country, it is more normal to find churches that center around their own community, their own comfort, and stick pretty much to themselves. It is very unusual to find any church that has an active program of trying to reach the lost for Christ outside of a missions program. The philosophy is if we “market” ourselves to the world, the world will embrace us. Churches leave out the more controversial aspects of Scripture and preach nothing but positive uplifting messages. So, when you see a church like Morning Star that has an active visitation program, has an active Street Evangelism ministry, has an active TV & Radio ministry and preaches strictly from Scripture whether the passage is joyful or whether it speaks of judgment and calls for repentance – you are witnessing something quite unusual in our day and age. You’re witnessing a church that in at least some aspects is trying to follow the New Testament model.
We are now living in a post-Christian America. The gospel message is becoming increasingly unpopular. And, as many pastors are sitting in the comforts of their own assemblies, preaching a soft message to a friendly crowd, America is dying and going to Hell. For many, that last statement probably made you roll your eyes. If you profess Christ, I would have to ask you why? Why would it make you roll your eyes? Why would it make you uncomfortable? Have I said something untrue?
Jesus, whom many preach as being nothing but love and tolerance did the politically-incorrect thing by referring to national tragedies and using those events to try to call people to repent.
In Luk 13:1-5, we read:
1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Likewise, did you know Jesus spoke often about Hell (and not always in the most genteel manner). He instructed His followers to go and tell the world and warned them that people would not like the message. In Luke 10 we read:
10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
This is what Morning Star Baptist Church is trying to do. They are trying to go tell others about Jesus, not in some covert way but in a way that gets their attention because time is short. America is disintegrating before our eyes. People are turning from Christianity and the Christian message in droves. A lot of times what is said may appear shocking but you have to realize, these guys don’t have hours to reason with people. At most, most of what they have is a few seconds to get out a message to let the Holy Spirit work on hearts. The world has heard the God is love message. They love that message. It allows them to march on in sin and go down that broad path that most of the world thinks will lead to eternal life. They don’t like the, no, you’re not okay without Christ message. They are not okay with the “you must turn from your sin to Christ” message or you will die and face a Christ-less eternity in Hell. It’s not popular.
Our guys have been spit at. Our guys have had coffee thrown at them. They have been physically assaulted. They have had coins thrown at them. They have been mocked. They have received threats. They have been stalked on Facebook and cussed out via the church’s phone. And you know who their number one critic is? It isn’t the people who do not claim affiliation with Christ. It’s Christians. Christians will say horrible things to them, try to make them stop preaching, and accuse them of being a cult.
If you look at our statement of faith, we are very orthodox in our belief. Salvation is by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ our Lord. We’re not working for our salvation because we know without Jesus we’re nothing. All of my righteousness is as filthy rags. It’s dung. I needed a Savior because I’m a horrible sinner and without His righteousness applied to my life, I would never see God and I would be heading towards Hell. We all know that. And we want the world to know that same freedom and truth.
When we say people will go to Hell we’re accused of hate. In reality, it would be hate if we didn’t tell them. Oh, many of you will say to yourself, I can’t be like that, I’ll lose them. I see. So, it’s better to keep them and watch them go to Hell never having been told than to lose them and perhaps make them think about something besides the moment?
Please Christians, wake up. You don’t have to do it like Morning Star. Our church is very bold and that is not everyone’s personality. God works with all sorts of personalities. And this is a very good thing. And, if He saved you, He expects you to tell others. Do not be silent. Do not tell half the story. Work because the hour is coming where we will not be able to work and then it will be very difficult to get the real gospel out at all.
Preachers, get out of your comfort zones. Pastoring is a hard job. I have had the privilege of being close friends with most of my pastors and I see what you go through. I was a church secretary so I know what the church office faces. You have a hard job. But, your job doesn’t stop at the church doors. There are people in your communities who need to hear the gospel.
On 4th of July, Morning Star was the only presence out at some parades where the whole community was gathered telling people that Jesus saves. Telling them they need to repent before it’s too late. And yeah, they had a very rough time and they were hated. People turned their backs on them. And so far, nobody that we know of was saved. But a few nights before, they went to a witches party at Ault park and never got to preach because God had readied them a crowd who wanted to know and wanted to hear. One soul was saved and God is working on another.
Jesus did not call us to ease. He called us to be His witnesses. If you are a Christian and you are not doing this then you’re not living up to your purpose for being here. Rick Warren made a lot of money on his Purpose Driven series – but that book was not the truth. It sent many preachers forward with the idea that they should be marketeers to specific demographics. That is not the Bible.
2Ti 4:2-5 says:
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Brothers and sisters, that time is now. Are you going to fulfill your purpose???