The Word
Bad preaching may be a motivational speech, a series of stories, jokes or something else just pulled out of thin air and blamed on the Holy Spirit. Yet, there is good preaching.
“How can people have faith in the Lord and ask him to save them, if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear, unless someone tells them? And how can anyone tell them without being sent by the Lord? The Scriptures say it is a beautiful sight to see even the feet of someone coming to preach the good news.” (Romans 10:14-15 CEV)
I dream of a church where the Bible is preached and expounded, as in Nehemiah’s simple outline of preaching.
“They read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading.” (Nehemiah 8:8 WEB)
I also dream of a receptive church, very much unlike ancient Israel.
“I have spread out My hands all day long to a disobedient and obstinate people.” (Romans 10:21 NASB)
Sacrifice
The spirit of the law, the whole law, includes the sacrificial system. Our ultimate sacrifice is Jesus, but we too are encouraged to be self-sacrificial.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1 KJV)
I dream of a church where everybody willingly serves, so that the burden is shared.
Civil Law
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1 ESV)
I dream of a church where everyone obeys the speed limit, vaccination mandates, pays taxes and willingly upholds any other civil law that does not violate the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles.
Non-Essentials
I dream of a church where politics and personal preferences are not foisted upon anyone.
“Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.” (Romans 14:1 NIV)
In the early church clean and unclean meats, Saturday or Sunday worship, Passover/Easter on Nisan 14 or a floating date, were matters of personal conscience, not bossy church law.
“You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” (Romans 14:10 NIV)
I dream of a church that returns to grace on non-essentials, matters that neither Jesus nor the Apostles commanded for the church.
