A STATEMENT OF CONCERN
TO THE LEADERSHIP OF
THE CHURCHES OF AMERICA
I. The Main Concern
Over the past few years, our church has strayed from complete reliance on the Bible and the leading of the Holy Spirit, and now in emphasizing modern church-growth methods, preaches a watered-down version of the gospel.
II. Half a Gospel
Our church now presents only half of the gospel in its Sunday church services. [1] The gospel preached here is a sincere attempt to reach the lost, but is unfortunately a message that only highlights grace and faith in Christ, and leaves out any mention of hell[2] or judgment. [3] This presentation weakens the essentials of repentance and personal holiness. Biblical words such as “hell,” “condemnation,” “judgment,” and “sin” are avoided and are commonly unmentioned. Typically, these words are exchanged for inoffensive phrases such as “seeker” instead of “sinner.”
In its pursuit of assimilating the latest church growth methods, our church now presents a modern “seeker sensitive” version of the gospel. This softened version of the gospel is meant to be more comfortable to the ears of visitors in hopes of getting them to stay.[4] No doubt that the true gospel is for sinners. However, the “seeker sensitive” version typically advocates a therapeutic message that convinces “seekers” to simply accept Christ. While the act of receiving Christ should be emphasized, there must first be laid the foundation of judgment and repentance. Presenting a gospel without reference to sin, judgment, and holiness is only half the gospel.
A. The Importance of Judgment
The reason for preaching the reality of judgment is obvious—because it’s real and it’s eminent. While the mention of hell and judgment may offend listeners[5] and even turn some completely away, it must still be preached.[6] Just as alarming words are meant to wake a sleeping family from a burning house, so are these words meant to awaken[7] the lost.
The judgment of hell awaits all who have failed to keep the perfect law of God.[8] Since all of humanity is utterly and completely sinful,[9] and all have broken the law of God,[10] all people deserve hell. It is only because of God’s sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ that those who repent and put their faith in Him can enter heaven. A sinner must understand that they have sinned, not only against others, but primarily against a holy God. Failure to mention judgment, whether intentional or unintentional, is in danger of painting a picture of an unjust God.[11] Since God is perfectly good, he must punish liars, thieves, adulterers, murders, and so on. It is only because God brought punishment upon Jesus on the cross that he can allow repentant believers into his kingdom.
Failure to mention judgment and hell also rob grace of its meaning.[12] What worth is the concept of grace unless it means unmerited deliverance from punishment? The full message of grace will not make sense to an unbeliever until the dire consequence of hell is made known to him. Just like the situation of a doctor and a patient—the patient will not appreciate the cure until he is told in detail, the severity of the disease. [13]
B. The Importance of Repentance
In order for a sinner to come to God, they must repent and put their faith in Christ.[14] Full repentance must be preached and is critical to the process of salvation. In order for a sinner to put their whole faith in Christ, they have to repent—that is confess, renounce, and turn from sin altogether. Faith without repentance is not complete faith. One cannot be a bondservant of Christ while still enslaved to the bondage of sin.[15]
Often, the reason repentance is left out or diminished is because it is deemed as offensive and insensitive to new church visitors. Whenever the disposition and attitude of the sinner are protected in such a manner, the pride of man is exalted above the Lord’s call to humility.[16] Failure to fully emphasize repentance, denies the Biblical doctrine of the depravity of humanity.[17] Humanity’s pride is thus catered to, and as a result, the holiness of God is not glorified.
C. The Misunderstanding of the Message of Grace
When judgment and repentance are negated, the full message of grace is diminished. In place of the full grace message, what is promoted is the idea of Jesus as a life-enhancer.[18] A common phrase within this presentation is “Come to Jesus, because God has a wonderful plan for your life.”[19] While God does have wonderful plan for your life on His terms, this does not mean protection from persecution, tribulation and strife.[20] In fact, Jesus mentioned that we should expect and will experience hardship.[21] When a sinner accepts the gospel on the grounds that they will receive lasting happiness, they will become confused later on when they face difficulty.[22]
Another common phrase is that “Jesus will give you peace and joy.” While this is true, peace and joy are spiritual fruit rooted in the hope of eternal salvation.[23] Therefore, by leaving out judgment and eternity, peace and joy as incentives are not sufficient within themselves in reaching the lost. The fact of the matter is, that Jesus is not a mere life-enhancer but a life-saver.
By preaching the reality of judgment and hell, the sinner is awakened to his coming end. By then presenting the cross, the love of God is magnified. It is the warning of condemnation that drives the sinner to the cross. By presenting these truths, the gospel therefore makes sense to the unbeliever and the message is infinitely more meaningful.
D. The Importance of Holiness
Typically preached at our church are life affirming, motivational messages. While encouragement is important, the messages presented focus almost entirely on self.[24] Such messages are only based lightly on Scripture and rely too much on secular self-help principles. Sermons often allude only to a few Scripture references whenever it is convenient to the message.
According to Scripture, the Lord has called us to a life of holiness[25]—which does not necessarily include personal happiness or satisfaction. Holiness is an act of complete surrender when one is wholly devoted to God. When one surrenders their will to God, they have made a conscious decision to die to their own desires and conform to the complete will of God—even if this means persecution, tribulation and strife.[26] Such a person is consumed only by the desires of God. In doing so, they also put others before themselves. They are then able to love the Lord God with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love others as themselves.[27]
This brings us full circle to repentance. The person who desires to live a holy life continues to put their faith in Christ and also die completely to sin in repentance. Holiness is in keeping with repentance.
III. The Result
A. Half Christians
A gospel void of repentance and holiness is only half of the gospel. There cannot be full repentance without the forewarning of judgment.[28] There cannot be holiness without complete repentance. A gospel not mentioning judgment or hell, robs grace of its full meaning. What you have left is a message that must resort to a false perception of grace that emphasizes Jesus as a mere life enhancement. In turn, without repentance or a true call to holiness, what is produced are Christians who are still self-centered and entangled in the world. Half a gospel produces half Christians.
B. Lack of Spiritual Growth
This half gospel is one that our church preaches in a sincere attempt to reach the lost. Although it would make sense to make the gospel more accessible, this does not mean the essential truths should be altered in order to make it more acceptable. The fact of the matter is, that there will always be people that will reject the gospel. Jesus never promised results, he only commanded that the gospel be preached.[29] This softened form of evangelism is a part of the drive to increase church attendance. In hopes of retaining visitors, such a gospel is presented. This overflows and affects the church members. If messages are consistently tailored to visitors, regular attendees and church members are disenfranchised. The opportunity to grow deeper in faith is not made available. The Life Groups do not offer further nourishment for growth because the lessons are still primarily based on the sermon. When the mission of the church is focused primarily on visitors, there results a lack of practical, as well as spiritual fruit. Visitors then continue to come to church expecting much and offering little servanthood in return.
C. What Must Be Done
Our Church must return to the Bible as its sole source of teaching, preaching, and direction.[30] This does not mean alluding to a few Scripture references in a sermon whenever convenient. Sermons should be Holy Spirit led and solely based in Scripture. The Bible advocates reliance on the Holy Spirit as essential.[31] Likewise, the Holy Spirit will always advocate the full teaching of the Scripture as essential.
In keeping with the authority of Scripture, our pastor must also proclaim the entirely of the gospel including the reality of hell, judgment, the need for repentance as well as faith, and the call to holiness. It is for the glory of God that the gospel be preached in its fullness—the gospel initiated by the Law, foretold by the prophets, made possible in Christ, and proclaimed by the Apostles and the martyrs. Forever and ever may the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be glorified. Amen.
TRES M. ADAMES
Scripture References & Annotations
[1]The gospel, when not presented in its fullness, is a different gospel. The Apostle Paul is very strict about this in Galatians, writing:
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!” (Galatians 1:6-9)
[2] These are very Biblical words. No one spoke of hell more than Jesus. Hell is mentioned in the Bible numerous times. These are only some references: (Deuteronomy 32:22; Matthew 5:22-30; Matthew 11:23; Matthew 16:18; Matthew 18:9; Matthew 23:33; Mark 9:42-49; Luke 10:15; Luke 12:5; Luke 16:19-23; James 3:6; 2 Peter 2:4-10; Revelation 1:18; Revelation 6:8; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:13-15; Revelation 21:8)
[3] The judgment is also specifically mentioned in some of the verses listed above, as well as these: (Acts 10:42; Acts 17:31; Romans 2:16; Romans 3:5-6; 2 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 10:30; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 4:5)
[4] The Apostle Paul spoke of a time that would come when people would only want to be taught what they wanted to hear: “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”
(2 Timothy 4:2-5)
[5] Paul wrote that “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,” (1 Corinthians 1:18) as well as a “stumbling block.” See all of (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).
[6] A quick glance at the experiences of Paul in the Book of Acts shows that the pure gospel was rarely received well without negative reaction. The Apostles were regularly met with opposition soon after preaching the gospel: Paul preaches at Damascus after his conversion and has to flee in a basket over the city wall (Acts 9:19-25); Paul debates with the Grecian Jews who later want to kill him, he flees to Caesarea (Acts 9:28-30); Paul and Barnabas are expelled from Pisidian Antioch amid persecution (Acts 13:49-52); Paul and Barnabas have to flee Iconium after the Jews plot to kill them after speaking boldly (Acts 14:1-7); Paul is stoned (Acts14:19-20); Paul and Silas are thrown in prison (Acts 16:16-24); A riot forms after Paul preaches in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9); Sneered by most at the Areopagus in Athens (Acts 17:32-34); Paul brought to court (Acts 18:12-17); Rioted in Ephesus (Acts 19:23-41); Arrested in Jerusalem (Acts 21:27-36); Plot to kill Paul (Acts 23:12-22)
[7] It is the law, which brings condemnation, that also awakens believers to the truth. “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.” (Psalm 19:7) See also (Romans 3:19-20)
[8] This is not hellfire preaching. Hellfire preaching simply declares punishment without reason. This is akin to a police officer barging into someone’s home and announcing arrest without explaining the crime. Explaining the nature of sin, as magnified by the law, makes the possibility of hell and judgment more feasible.
[9] The Depravity of Humanity: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one…’There is no fear of God before their eyes.’” (Romans 3:9-18) as well as (Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 13:23; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 3:23; Romans 7:8-9; Ephesians 2:3)
[10] “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” (James 2:10)
[11] “What shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? I am using a human argument. Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? (Romans 3:5-6)
[12] Condemnation, brought by the law, is what magnifies grace: “The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20-21)
[13] In Luke 7:41-43, Jesus tells the parable of two indebted men: Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more? Simon replied, ‘I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled’ ‘You have judged correctly,’ Jesus said.” Grace abounded when the offense was greater. The man who owed more appreciated the grace given to him more than the other man. Taking this a step further: not even mentioning hell, or any offense at all, is affronting the whole foundation of grace itself.
[14] Repentance and Faith are the twofold responses to the gospel. Repentance means to confess and turn from sin. Repentance and the call to repent is mentioned in the New Testament numerous upon numerous times: (Matthew 3:2,8,11; Matthew 4:17; Matthew 11:20-21; Matthew 21:32; Mark 1:4; Mark 1:15; Mark 6:12; Luke 3:3; Luke 3:8; Luke 5:32; Luke 10:13; Luke 13:1-9; Luke 15:7,10; Luke 16:30; Luke 17:3-4; Luke 24:7; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Acts 5:31; Acts 11:18; Acts 13:24; Acts 17:30; Acts 20:21; Acts 26:20; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 2 Corinthians 12:21; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 2:5; Revelation 2:16; Revelation 3:3,19; Revelation 9:20-21; Revelation 16:9,11)
[15] “But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin…You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness…When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.” (Romans 6:15-23)
[16] Those who are humble of heart are those who receive grace, not the prideful. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)
[17] See note 8 on the Depravity of Humanity.
[18] Often these words of Jesus are used to justify this approach: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) What Jesus is referring to is not lifestyle enhancement, but everlasting life.
[19] Jeremiah 29:11 is often pointed to as a verse indicating God’s desire for prosperity. However, this is a directive prophecy amid many others that pronounce disaster and calamity.
[20] The Book of Hebrews talks of many heroes of the faith who overcame much for the Lord (Hebrews 11:4-32). However, it acknowledges the persecution, trials, and tribulations that many underwent also: “Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.” (Hebrews 11:32-38)
[21] “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” (Matthew 5:10-11) “Men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (Mark 13:13)
[22] The Parable of the Sower speaks of different types of people who respond to the gospel; some abandon after calamity: “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." (Matthew 13:18-23)
[23] Peace and joy are not instant blessings given after conversion. They come from the Holy Spirit through adversity, and are rooted in the hope of eternity. Therefore, how can people discover true joy and peace without being even being told of the hope of heaven? “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5:1-5)
[24] Paul says in the last days, “People will be lovers of themselves” (2 Timothy 3:2.) Why then does the church appear to be helping them do such?
[25] The call to holiness is intricately woven throughout the New Testament. Only a few of these verses: (Romans 6:19-22; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7; 1 Timothy 2:2; 2 Timothy 1:9; 2 Timothy 2:21; Titus 1:8; Hebrews 12:10; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2 Peter 3:11)
[26] “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12)
[27] “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” (Matthew 22:37-40)
[28] Nonbelievers must be fully told of why they need to repent. Failure to do so is not a complete representation of Christ and what he did for us: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:14-15)
[29] “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.’” (Mark 16:15-16)
[30] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
[31] The words of Jesus in Scripture urge the leading of the Holy Spirit: “For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say." (Luke 12:12) and if the scriptures are certainly “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16), then the Holy Spirit will always speak primarily through his eternal Word established centuries before.
