Sunday, April 13, 2008

Preaching Too Much Love Is Preaching Too Much God!

I was told today, "You preach too much love." Well, if God is love (1 John 4:16b), then are we preaching too much God? Why are people so afraid of it? Why do they hate it so much? Some Christians tell their preachers, "We need balance." Well 1 John 5:13 says, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."

Why do we need to mention hell "to the choir" if we are saved and follower of Christ? When I preach love, I want my congregation to know that it is center of Christianity and the life we live. Love is the God we serve. He is love. If we do not love, everything means nothing.

I want them to have a personal relationship with Jesus, the one who loved us so much that he gave his life for us. It is so frustrating when the saved are afraid of hell or want preachers to scare people into becoming a Christian! So, if we are preaching love, then aren't we preaching God? When people say they don't want too much love, are they in fact saying, they don't want too much God?


What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

P.S.
Does anyone know a publisher that is looking for a Christian author?
Please let me know.

83 comments:

  1. I think John spells it out the clearest in his first epistle:

    Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8 ESV)

    If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. (1 John 4:20 ESV)

    I believe that, in many cases, preaching "love" is more convicting that preaching "hell". Why? Because when we recogize that we fail at demonstrating love toward one another and toward those outside the church, then we also recognize that we do not love God the way that we say that we do. Our lack of demonstrable love demonstrates our lack of the love of God, regardless of how many services we attend, or degrees we earn, or songs we sing.

    Keep proclaiming God's love.

    -Alan

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  2. Anonymous10:49 PM

    well, i think it is very important. but i think that humans expect variety over truth.

    we get easily bored so things need to be new and improved! same thing in the box...new label design.

    we know that we are suppose to love and that we can never love as much as we are suppose to..or the way that we are suppose to. only the Holy Spirit by the Grace of God can do that through us. Grace plain and simple...but, still i think that we should have God's Love on our minds and hearts when we can manage it.

    you may want to write that book even without a career change.
    :-)
    just make sure they put a new cover design on it now and then.

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  3. Preach love, preach grace, preach truth. It's always been my philosophy and practice to preach what's in the Bible.

    When in seminary, I heard of a man in my denomination who said, "we don't sing enough songs about the blood any more. We need more songs about the blood." My response, we need to understand more about what we are singing before we start adding to it. Maybe the same is true of our preaching. Keep it up, preacherman.

    There are lots of options out there for aspiring authors of all kinds. You might look into one of the self-publishing options, a publish on demand website, or look for a small Christian house that is looking for new writers. Got a ms? I'd be glad to check it out and give advice on some of the houses that are looking that I know of--some of the smaller up-n-comers are really focused on what they're looking for.

    At any rate, Nancy's right at least for beginning--don't give up your day job. The publishing industry is a bear (regardless of your approach, faith, fiction, or non-fiction).

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  4. Kinney
    When Jesus was asked what was the most important thing, he said Love God and Love your neighbor. True religion is defined as taking care of (Love) orphans and widows. In Micah we read that what God requires of us is to Act Justly, Love Mercy and Walk Humbly with God. Every issue is the Old Testament is usually a heart issue. Obedience without Love is nothing.

    I think you are so right. For years in our fellowship our language betrayed the truth....we spoke more about "trying to be followers of the New Testament" instead of being followers of Christ.

    In these moments of discouragement, when people seem to care more about the traditions of our heritage and less about the transformed heart of a disciple - remember that you are speaking a word from the Lord.

    You are an open vessel for His words and keep the faith.

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  5. This is exactly why I recently started preaching from the Revised Common Lectionary, so that I can preach through what is essentially the whole bible in 3 years time. If I preach the scripture as it reads, nobody can accuse me of preaching out of balance. It always bugs me when people want a specific message out of a preacher and get irritated when a preacher preaches from his heart. Keep going, brother!

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  6. Kinney,

    In the past, I was criticized many times for the same reason. For a while I did what Jason did. I used the lectionary for three years. But the Scripture still wouldn't let me get away from love. But no one could accuse me of not being balanced.

    Don't quit your day job until the time is right and there is another source of income! Very few authors make a living at writing unless their initials are Max Lucado or N. T. Wright.

    Take care of your family. Jesus said that if you followed him there would be a cross. And believe me, I know what I'm talking about. Your staunchest opponents will be the religious. It was that way for Jesus. You're in good company.

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  7. Anonymous8:32 AM

    Many years ago I sensed God leading me to deeper waters with Him. When I asked Him to show me, I was led to John 13:34-35 - "A new command I give you: Love one another as I have loved you. By this all men will know you are my disciples - if you love one another."

    I then asked God to show me His definition of love, and I was taken to 1 Cor 13: 4-7. A devotional I was reading at the time suggested replacing the word Love with Jesus. Then on the third reading, it suggested replacing the word Love with your own name. It has had a profound impact on how God wants me to show love.

    Then, I was led to 1 John 3:18 (TLB) which says "Let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions."

    It's not an easy thing to love divinely. But as we grow closer to Him through love, we are filled to overflowing. And it's out of that overflowing that others experience His love.

    So, yes, I believe Love is the message of God!! Preach on!!

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  8. Anonymous8:38 AM

    Dear Brother,
    I urge you to continue to preach the truth.

    Contact me at sval1994@hotmail.com.

    We love you brother. More important God loves you!
    May God give you strength to stand.

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  9. I have been accused of this too. I was called "brother love" in a negative way, which I took as very positive. God is love, and when we preach love, we are preaching like the Lord.

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  10. You can not preach to much love, it is the massage that we not only need drilled into our heads, but need drilled into practice. I have learned that God really starts working in our lives when we learn to trust him on this one thing. When God tells us to Love our enemy and we put it into practice we will see him at work. It is paramount to our faith. It is like it allows him to work in our lives. Even when our hearts are not quite there yet, if we in obedience do an act of kindness to someone we have difficulty with, God uses that to soften our hearts and the heart of the other person. Anyone who is seeking Gods heart will heed this message and see Gods glory. This should be part of our daily prayers that God give us the strength to love and to show that love to all we come in contact with each day.

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  11. Anonymous10:40 AM

    maybe we should bring our brains and our hearts as well to the gathering.

    anyway...i am beginning to think that no matter what anyone preaches or speaks that the word of God will... through the Holy Spirit... reach hearts.

    for those that are not listening with their heart...a lot of the Love of God is needed toward those souls as well as those that are listening with their heart so that their's can be opened to receive.

    there can never be too much Love of God in preaching and listening in a service...no matter what the topic of the message.

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  12. Anonymous10:54 AM

    Love of God
    requires prayer
    for hearts to recieve
    that message
    in
    their lives.

    people need to realte
    in a human way
    in their living...
    and the Holy Spirit
    works this message into lives.

    the Love of God
    patience
    kindness
    ....prayer

    Love for people in prayer
    is required
    for us to have and do

    the Holy Spirit will
    send the message home

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  13. Anonymous10:56 AM

    words are not enough

    it takes living

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  14. Anonymous10:59 AM

    sorry...but,i am thinking to you and it comes out in little bits.

    i ment people need to realate to and idea in their own life

    you know...to understand

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  15. Great post. I'm with you 100%. Everything starts with love. Jesus' whole point to the Pharisees and the lovers of the Law was that the Law comes out of love (God wants to protect His beloved)... and when we put the Law above love, we're wrong.

    And, in fact, couldn't you make an argument that the believer scared into faith because of fear of hell is still loving himself more than God? I find it more authentic to insipre people to love God because God loves them, not because heaven is a better alternative than hell.

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  16. God is love, and he is also justice. There may be folks who are motivated primarily by threat, but you have to wonder how deeply their commitment to a Christian walk is if not eventually motivated by love for Christ, rather than just fear of hell.

    As to preaching over and over again God's righteousness and justice ... well, Paul puts it pretty succinctly: "Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off." - Romans 11:22. Does much of anything else need to be said?

    Especially to an audience which is supposed to be mature in the faith?

    The Hebrews writer says "Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so." (Hebrews 6:1-3)

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  17. I think you're right on with this post. Here's something to think about though: Can you preach too much judgment?

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  18. Anonymous7:15 AM

    Mt:4:4: But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

    "EVERY WORD" Kinney all sermons should be delivered out of love. But you can preach love right along with the other concerns mentioned in scripture. Think about it. Did I hear some frustration, don't give up on what God has called you to do, but be true to yourself, sometimes we think we hear the calling, when it is really a longing. whatever we decide to do in life, bring God along. May God bless

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  19. Anonymous10:28 AM

    Keep preaching love brother!!!!!

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  20. Anonymous2:13 PM

    Love is what it is all about!

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  21. Anonymous5:54 PM

    Preacherman keep preaching it bro.

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  22. Anonymous6:33 PM

    Kinney,

    This was a tough one for me. It took me a while to comment on it, because I wanted to mull it over a bit, first.
    I understand what you are saying and where you are coming from, but I also know that Christ himself even spoke about Hell on occasion. I feel that if we truly love folks, the kindest thing that we can do for them is to teach them everything that Christ and His followers taught us. This includes speaking on the alternatives to following Him. Of course, this should all be done in love and with the goal of true understanding. They deserve the 'complete' story.
    Does that make sense?

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  23. Anonymous8:07 AM

    Preacherman people shouldn't be motivated by fear. We have too much terror and fear in the world today. I think the Church should be sending another message. A message of love, grace, and hope. You continue to preach what your doing brother!

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  24. Anonymous8:11 AM

    I love hearing messages that help me live the Christian life and have a better relationship with Jesus. I want my life to be like His. I want to obey Jesus and if I am to obey with love and live a life of love so the world see's that I am a true disciple.

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  25. Anonymous8:12 AM

    Preach it!
    The whole message.

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  26. Keith,
    You make perfect sense brother.
    I always appreciate your comments and thoughts on my blog. I am always bless by your blog as well.

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  27. I want to thank everyone for their encouragement and thoughts.

    I haven't replied to ya'll because I have walking Pneumonia and with having GBS has really got me down. It is hard to cough fluid up out my lungs because of having a weak trunk. So, please keep me in your prayers.

    I will try to respond to some of your comments today or tomorrow.

    God bless each one of you.

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  28. Anonymous9:35 AM

    Preacherman,

    I will be praying and I'm sure others will also.

    Grace and Peace

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  29. Alan,
    Thank you so much brother for your thoughts and encouraging comment. You are right in everything you say.
    I appreciate you brother. I hope you have a blessed week. It is wonderful to KNOW that we have eternal life (1 John 5:13).
    :-)

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  30. Nancy,
    Thanks for all of your comments.
    God bless you sister!

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  31. Benjie,
    I love that "Preach love. Preach grace. Preach truth." Amen brother. I will and thank you for all of your encouragement. I will keep my day job! :-)

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  32. Arlene,
    Thank you for your wonderful words. "I will continue to be an open vessel for His word and keep the faith." THank you so much for your thoughts, comments and encouragment that you always bring to the discusssion. I always love it when you comment here.

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  33. Jason,
    Thanks for letting me know about the "Revised Common Lectionary". It sounds great! Yes every page of the Word of God has love in it. God bless you and Dwayne and Tim.
    I am always praying for the work in Salem.

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  34. Wade,
    I know you have been criticized many times over preaching love and grace. Thanks for your reference to the Lectionary as well. I will consider it. I know you add love and grace to the message you preach. God bless you and your family.

    I don't think I will ever write like an N.T. Wright or Max Lucado. Thanks for the encouragment anyway. :-)
    If I'm lucky I might be able to write Bobby Valentine. :-) Can't wait until his next book! (I hope you read this Bobby).

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  35. Masterdesigned,
    I am always uplifted by your words. I like you want "God to lead me to deeper waters wtih Him." The verses you share have helped me understand how deep God wants me to go. I thank you for your adding to the discussion. It is always appreciated. I will preach on!

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  36. Strangedunn,
    Thanks for adding to this discussion. It means so much that you have shared and encourage me to share the whole message and in a spirit of love and grace. I will keep it seasoned with salt. God bless you in a powerful way.

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  37. Brother Love (Matthew),
    Thanks for the comment.
    I think "brother love" could be the New Kind of Christian that God wants us to be in the 21st Century. So keep it up!

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  38. Anonymous11:04 AM

    Preacherman,
    You keep up the great message of God's amazing grace. Fear never should be a motivating factor.

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  39. Debbie,
    Thanks for your comments.
    I appreciate you letting me know I can never preach too much love. I totally agree it should be apart of our prayers that all men will know that we are His disciples by our love. Help us Lord to make open doors where we can share your love right? Wow. To think that you and I can make sucha a positive difference in the world not by "Fear" like radical Christians and Muslims but with "LOVE"!

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  40. Keith Brenton,
    I love it when you stop and take the time to comment. It is always aprpreciated. You have so much love for others. I love the Heb. 6:1-6 reference. I want the meat!!

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  41. Steve Valentine,
    Thanks for leaving me your e-mail. It will be great to keep in touch and to maybe meet in San Angelo sometime on our way to Abilene.
    I hope you and your family are doing good.
    God bless you brother.
    Thanks for your comments.

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  42. Laymond,
    Thank you for your ideas on the scriptures. I don't think that Jesus talked about hell and fear all the time. I want my ministry to be like His: He showed love, grace, mercy, compassion, kindness, help and healing to those who needed it.

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  43. Anonymous11:17 AM

    I think liberals preach nothing but love, love, love. Mushy love and grace of God. I am sick of love and grace! It makes me sick to my stomach every Sunday. The worship leader leads songs about only love and grace. The prayers are about God's love and grace. The elders prayer or communion thought is about love and grace. The preachers message is on love and grace. It makes me sick!
    I am going to leave and go to a church that preaches nothing but "Hell, Fire and Brimstone" sermons. Fear is a great motivating factor. I am sick of you liberals that think Christianity is about love.

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  44. Todd, Anony, and Sam thank you for your kind words.

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  45. Baptist Man,
    Can we preach to much Judgement?
    Great question.

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  46. Anonymous11:21 AM

    Don't liberals make you sick?

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  47. Anonymous11:22 AM

    I don't think we are liberal for preaching what God wants us to live. Love isn't a liberal or conservative issue. It is a relationship with God issue.

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  48. Anonymous11:23 AM

    I don't think we are liberal for preaching what God wants us to live. Love isn't a liberal or conservative issue. It is a relationship with God issue.

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  49. Anonymous11:26 AM

    Stan,
    You make me sick.

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  50. Anonymous11:53 AM

    I love you anonymous.
    I always will.

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  51. Anonymous11:57 AM

    Judgement can be preached in the light of GOD's greatness. But we must never lose sight of His love. Without love and Grace we are left with judgement. A judgement none of us can stand in.

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  52. I am not a liberal.
    It is not the first time I have been called a liberal but I am not.
    I strive to be Biblical.
    Thank you Stan.
    Anonymous sorry you feel that way about the love and grace of God.
    I hope God will soften your heart to accept his love and grace for your life.

    Mike,
    Thank you brother for making sense of this issue. Great points about judgement and grace. I amen you!
    :-)

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  53. "A while back I was reading of a man who was led to Christ by a gentle soul named T.B. Larimore. The man in question had been to hundreds of church services and dozens of evangelistic meetings before Larimore came and preached in the town. So someone asked him, 'Why did you respond to the gospel under Brother Larimore's preaching when you hadn't before? His answer is a rebuke to some of us and our methods. 'From other preachers I'd learned I was going to hell,' he said, 'but they seemed pleased that I was. From Larimore I learned I was going to hell, but I could tell it broke his heart to have to tell me so" (Rubel Shelly, "In Step With the Spirit"). I would like to encourage you to preach about hell, but motivated by love, just like T.B. Larimore did.

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  54. Terry,
    Wonderful story and Testimony.
    I want to thank you brother for sharing it with us.
    I do think we can talk about hell in a graceous way.
    I was once told that "When Kinney talks about hell he makes you seem like you want to go." :-)

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  55. Kinney
    Just wanted to check in and see how you are doing physically?

    After reading and rereading the comments on this post I am reminded of this.
    Preaching that is rich and full is firstly theological in nature. Out of the story and character of God himself the rest flows.
    One of the goals of preaching is to help the process of moving the hearers from attendees to disciples and another goal is to allow them to hear a word from the Lord.
    The cost of discipleship includes more than love. It includes making choices that change our lives and make us look and live more like Christ. The cost of discipleship calls us to a rich inner life of intimate connection with the father. The cost of discipleship is more than blessing or benefit.

    But here is what I have seen to be true. It is people who are crazy in love with Jesus that seem to really understand what it means to be a disciple. It is people who are crazy in love with Jesus who are working for justice in their community. It is people who are crazy in love with Jesus who are using all their resources for the sake of the kingdom and the powerless.

    This is not about converting people to church systems or ways of thinking...our work is to join God in what He is already doing in the world to further the kingdom. Our work then is to love like He does and accept His love in the extravagant way in which He give it (this is sometimes the hardest part for some from legalistic backgrounds).

    Love is not the soft way out of the gospel. IT IS THE GOSPEL. It is the very character of God.

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  56. Anonymous9:22 PM

    Preacherman,

    You got me thinking. Do we have a problem with love, becuase we don't understand it?

    We cannot truely measure GOD's love or put our arms around it. But I think we have such a poor understanding of what love is we cannot relate to GOD's love or loving others. It is far easier to preach judgement. We are all comfortable with that subject.

    I found myself asking a similar question on my blog. Once again, thanks for making us think.

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  57. Thanks Arlene and Mike for both of your wonderful comments. I appreciate both of you for adding to the discussion.

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  58. I do think every message can be presented with love and graceous way.

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  59. Anonymous12:29 AM

    In the Gospels, the times Jesus referred to hell was directly to the religious people, not to win the unchurched.

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  60. Anonymous12:29 AM

    Oh, and good luck with the publishing. I'm looking for one too.

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  61. Anonymous1:02 AM

    hope you are getting well.

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  62. hey PM,

    Hope ya getto feeling better real soon!

    blessings

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  63. Josh,
    Interesting thoughts as always.
    I hope you find a publisher.
    God bless you brother.

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  64. Nancy and Jel,
    Thank you so much for the prayers.
    I was able to teach class last night and the walking pnuemonia is getting better with anti-biotics. It really got me down with GBS. I am getting better though and am thankful for all the many prayers.

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  65. Kenny,

    This post raises another question, or concern. Paul told young preacer Timothy that "all Scripture" should be read, preached, and applied. His command to him to "preach the Word" I believe is as clear as the English translation. Preach it all!

    Most preachers give "topical" lessons. They decide what topic they want to address and then find some support verses to back up what they want to say. While the message may be completely Biblical, there is a danger with this type of preaching. It is far to easy to go chasing rabbits.

    I believe preaching through books of the Bible is far better. First, if this is faithfully done, every issue will be addressed. The people will learn the Bible, and the preacher will be forced to learn it too.

    Far too much from coC pulpits is the same few topics over and over just displayed in a different setting.

    The main reason preachers and Bible class teachers avoid expository teaching and preaching is that it requires much hard work. I assure you it is well worth the effort.

    His peace,
    Royce Ogle

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  66. Royce,
    I totally agree brother.
    Great points.
    The word of God is living and active and will change the hearts and lives of those who hear it.
    I hope and pray that we will know about God and personally know him as well.
    Thanks for this wonderful point brother.

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  67. In a related thought, I found an announcement about this new book today.

    http://www.compelledbylove.com/content/index.asp

    One of the co-authors is a researcher and mission guru (can we use that word?) in our denomination. Keep preaching love. [And if it makes you "liberal" then what does that mean for Jesus?]

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  68. Anonymous6:08 PM

    I have been accused of preaching too much love and not enough truth. When did love become an antithesis to truth? I have not yet been called "Brother Love"; but I would like to earn that title.

    Bryan
    bryanbuttram.wordpress.com

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  69. Laymond,
    I am sorry I didn't respond to your comment brother. Yes, I agree that man shall not live by bread alone but EVERY WORD that comes from the mouth of God. I do and strive to preach everything with seasoned with salt. Again, sorry for the late response Laymond. Your comments are always welcomed brother.

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  70. I do not know if what I am about to say is true in your case, but this reminds me of something that my pastor often says. He basically says that many churches are "feel-good" churches where they always want to preach about feeling good, but they do not want to talk about or even mention sin and hell because they do not want to scare people off or offend anyone. I totally agree with him. People of God need to always preach the Truth and the truth is that we are sinners condemned to hell in need of a saviour. Even though once a person is saved they are no longer going to hell, there is still such a thing as sin and there are negative consequences of it. This is the truth and telling the truth to someone is always right and a loving thing to do. I am not saying that a preacher should be all about hell, hell, hell and they do not talk about the love of God, but neither should a preacher always talk about the love of God, but refuse to inform them and talk to them about the truth of sin and hell. A lot of preachers might forget that there are possibly many people sitting in the congregation week after week and visitors as well that are not saved and they need to hear the truth. Many people put on a smile and come off like they are a Christian, but are not actually saved. I used to be one of them. Before I was saved, I went to church off and on and went to sunday school sometimes. It was not until I was about twenty-one years old when I read an article or something on the Internet that I found out that I was a sinner in need of forgiveness. I did not even know what it meant to be a sinner before that and I therefore did not understand the point of Jesus. I believed that Jesus is the Son of God and he died on the cross for our sins because that is what I was told to believe, but I did not really understand it. I did not know that I had committed sins. I thought a sinner was someone like Hitler. I thought a person got to Heaven simply by believing in God (as in, you do not necessarily have to believe in Jesus) and trying to be a good person. I did not know anything about grace or much of anything about the WORD of God. It was not until years later that I found out this truth and became convicted that I made the decision to confess and repent of my sins and accept Christ resulting in my salvation. How loving is it to preach love without telling them the whole truth. Is that really love? It is actually severly harmful and misleading to leave out the other part. Preach the whole truth in love. Thank You for taking the time to read this. God Bless You In Jesus Name. Amen.

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  71. فني صحي الكويت فني صحي الكويت
    شركة تسليك مجارى الكويت شركة تسليك مجارى الكويت



    سباك الكويت سباك الكويت
    شركة تنظيف الكويت شركة تنظيف الكويت
    شركة غسيل سجاد الكويت شركة غسيل سجاد الكويت
    شركة تنظيف الجهراء شركة تنظيف الجهراء

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