Starving Saints, Part Two
Posted by James MacDonald on March 26, 2007 10:17 PM | Comments (15)A man told me recently that he and his family had been looking for a church for more than 15 months. They would drive to a new church each Sunday and sit in the parking lot to observe. If the people who attended did not bring their Bibles to church they concluded that they did so because they did not need them. Having no desire to attend a church where the 'spiritual food' was left on the shelf in favor or someone's "speaking on their own initiative," (which even God's Spirit does not do) they would drive out and try a new church the next week.
Starving saints . . . it is the great ministerial crime of our day.
Wallowing in worldliness, wandering in selfish pursuits, wondering why the Christian life is like a marathon without water or nourishment of any kind, the saints of Jesus Christ are starving. Starving in the name of evangelism, starving in the name of church growth, starving in the name of shallow appeals to secular people who can scarcely find Christ themselves in such silly surface-y messages. Where is the glory of the Cross? Where is the priority of true "repentance from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14). Where is the unashamed proclamation of the unsearchable riches of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit? Where is the biblical content penetrating, and convicting and FEEDING the hungry hearts of God's starving people?
Where the Word of God is used it IS often a passing reference to support a personal assertion. Where the Word of God is expounded, it is too often a seminary lecture without unction or anointing, not a word from God but a stale presentation without focused application. Where the Word of God is taught, it is sadly too often a dull word from a dead heart. "Preaching is theology on fire" Martin Lloyd Jones said, biblical preaching is truth about God coming through a man who is on fire for God. In his final paragraph of discipleship, Paul told Timothy, "Preach the Word, in season and out," (2 Timothy 4:1-5), meaning, when it is popular and when it is not. Today, preaching the Word is definitely not popular, but it is what the saints are starving for.
A good parent would not starve their child. A good teacher would not allow a student to leave their classroom without encountering the truth. A good shepherd would not lead the sheep to a desert. But it's happening every week and it is the great sin of shepherds in our day. Even where motives are pure as I believe they most often are, the method of neglecting God's Word to win lost people is still unbiblical and unedifying.
God, forgive us for starving the saints and failing to feed them Your life-giving Word. Forgive us for being selfish shepherds so intent on reaching the world that we have not given ourselves to the careful study and dissemination of Your Word. Forgive for thinking that crowds equate to blessing and for failing to see the sadness of the saints who so rightly desire to be fed and so often flounder because we as their shepherds have failed to DO OUR JOB and PREACH THE WORD!
Comments
Posted by: leslie | March 29, 2007 09:19 AM
james,
I AM ONE OF THOSE STARVING SAINTS
Posted by: Fred | March 29, 2007 08:44 PM
Pastor James,
Great a word here about the Word. I do carry my Bible with me to our church as does my wife Amy,,, but it's in my bag,,, so I still would not pass this guys test, lol!
If you want to see a fine picture of you and your old fine pastor from London, serch my name on facebook, or let me know where I can send it.
Keep serving the Lord, I pray for you often, and do not miss many Walk in the Words.
Love in Christ,
Fred Grendel - Bethel Church, Kingston, ON
Posted by: Kelly | March 29, 2007 09:22 PM
Pastor James,
Thank you for faithfully teaching God's Word, and the true Gospel, Jesus Christ. Not only are people being spiritually starved, but they are being led astray by unbiblical teachings. I know, because I was under false doctrine. "Faith" healing, prosperity, being the "same" as God, praying by "faith" to receive the holy spirit. Satan has embedded himself in some churches today. I thank God that He has opened my eyes, and has led me to His truth, through your radio ministry and books that you have written. Thank you for feeding God's sheep!
Posted by: Ryan | March 30, 2007 09:36 AM
James,
You are so dead on target with "Starving Saints," especially part two. I am a preacher, pastor, and a seminary student at SEBTS. I am a Southern Baptist and I can tell you that the majority of my experience has been just what you are talking about. I am in between churches right now and we are at a different church every sunday but the preaching is so stale, and seminary lecture, and dull. Another pet peave of mine is that even where I have filled in the pulpit, hardly anyone brings there bibles! I have been saved 7 years and I have never, ever, not brought my bible to church and opened it up! Even in being looked at by churches, the pastoral search committees have been critical of me preching longer than "20 mins" and preaching expository. I am almost ready to go plant a church! Where have all the good preacher's gone? I know one of them--James Macdonald. Keep on keepin' it real brother.
Posted by: David | March 30, 2007 12:52 PM
James: I'm tracking with you big time on this issue! I couldn't say it any better. Wonderful, well-meaning leaders are hijacking the church with far less than what God has called it to be. When I've expressed concern to our pastor over the shallow preaching and over-emphasis on Connecting People to Jesus at the seeming cost of Helping them become his fully devoted followers, the response I get goes something like this: God's Word is preached and not watered down (there is this perception that what is preached can't be over the heads of the seekers attending). Jesus is all about the least, lost and forgotten, and if you think you're not getting fed, then just come for the relationships! (Then if that's the case, why not join the Mormon Church; if doctrine isn't important?) Acts 17:22-32 is used to justify showing video clips from "Desperate Housewives" and playing Pink Floyds' song "Money" in the church services. Then we all applause because we had 1000 children/youth in church one weekend; as if that is proof God is blessing our ministry. I feel helpless, as a lay-leader in effecting change; Only God can change hearts...so I am praying two things. 1) That in the spirit of Hosea 6:1-3, God would break the staff and elders (me included) of this malady and 2) that God would burn into the hearts of the congregation a holy discontent with the way things are. Beyond that I am doing what I can to teach God's Word to hungry souls. I am very intrigued by where your "book" is going, James. Preach the Word, WITHOUT apology.
Posted by: Cynthia | March 30, 2007 09:10 PM
JAMES I am starving for you to make your way to our church Desert Vineyard, Lancaster, CA.... ok it's the desert but still....it would be so awesome... how do I make that happen... I bet you'll say PRAY.
Have you ever done an event here in California (southern) or do you plan to come here.
PS I am from Chicago but I moved here.
Posted by: Julie | March 30, 2007 10:07 PM
Hi Pastor James! It's such a God thing that you wrote this part two, because we're studying 2nd Timothy right now in one of my classes and my teacher has told us the same thing- to preach God's Word, whether its popular or not, whether its what people want to hear or not. I've really gotten a lot out of that class. God has been teaching me things I need to change in my own life, especially my attitude of fear. It's a struggle, but like you said, God gives us just enough grace for that day. I'll be praying for you next weekend as you preach at the Sears Center. I really wish I could be there to worship with my family and fellow believers and listen to your message. Julie
Posted by: Lane | March 31, 2007 10:23 PM
James,
I know that you uphold honest and integrity in your life and doctrine, but the “shepherds†of our day do not. If their motives were pure, they would preach the truth. Paul says that the Judaizers of Galatia wanted the Christians circumcised so that they would not face persecution (Gal. 6:12). Paul calls them out on their motives, especially when it is so clear that there is no other reason for their actions. The circumcision of our day is not done with the flesh, but by clever “contextualization†and a gospel that proclaims reconciliation with the world rather than our Judge. These men’s motives are not pure and they are not willing to bear the brandmarks of Jesus.
"You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." – James 4:4
James, how could unbiblical, unedifying methods come from a pure heart? Are not our wrongs from our deceitful hearts?
Posted by: Quinn | April 1, 2007 04:54 PM
Pastor James i really appreciate this message. Just LAST NIGHTi had an argument with my friend, who i live with and who is also a pastor. He is a good loving man who has really helped me out alot by getting me out of a bad situation and taking me into his home.
But we do not see eye to eye on spiritual things. His church is closing down (another story) and so the last month or two we've been going to different churches to see which one we will go to. They have settled on one particular church that they like but i told them i do not like it and will not go there becasue the precahing is very weak and the people are npt beined fed. He began to argue with me that the preaching of the word wass not the most important thing, rather that love and community were the most important things!
I said yes love and community is important but NOT at the expense of the preaching of Gods word! we agreed to disagree but i wonder if you might have some advice for me on what else i could say to him to show him his error? thank you for reading this!
(ps..i just got an ipod and am really enjoying listening to your WITW podcasts while i work! God bless)
Posted by: Neil | April 2, 2007 07:36 AM
James,
Is it not funny that in alot of the churches I know the pastors are afraid of the "key" people in the church. You know the ones who put the big checks in the plate.and the pastor is afraid to offend them. And the truth gets tiptoed around one more week. I also observe that there are a lot of people in just the right place to hinder what God is doing. These people are into all sorts of ungodly organizations and while they are praying to the supreme architect of the universe the church doors are slowly being closed.When Harry Potter and the cartoon network is teaching our kids more than our moms and dads and Sunday school teachers are about Jesus we have a problem. thanks for the opportunity to rant my life was totally changed one night and I don't fit in this world anymore. I am an heir to the kingdom and unashamed to tell it
Posted by: Joe | April 2, 2007 11:25 PM
This Holy week has begun with an excellent multi Gospel teaching concerning our Lord Jesus Christs suffering. This year I see the absolute Love given, and justice required by God. I am greatful for walk in the word and your efforts. I also liked the insight into the Simon of syrene and Rufus connection. The Lord is always at work! I trust in that. Peace in Christ. Joe Geraci
Posted by: Nel | April 24, 2007 01:48 AM
Well I guess I'm one who is starving too. But I'm not from the US. In Asia things are the same. It's especially hard for youngsters like me (who go through regular cycles of faith and doubt), who need a lot of guidance in the walk with Christ. Still, I know God is near..
Posted by: Greg | May 16, 2007 11:39 AM
This is true that less and less the Word is being magnified at churches. But a starving saint you should not be. We happen to live in a country where most every house has a copy of His Word available to study. Also there are no less than three radio stations with a multitude of teachings available. The church is similar to a hospital, it is where sick people go for help. The pastor is not the doctor, he is the head patient. Christ is our physician! The pastor is only there to show you the ropes at your church. Remeber he is a patient too, and might be in need of you giving the gift that God gave you. Please don't think that I minimize the pastors responsibility, just remember he needs Christ as much as you. So learn something on your own and share it with someone. Maybe your pastor.
Brother Greg
PS I'm not a pastor.
Posted by: Dennis | May 21, 2007 08:22 PM
AMEN Brother James!
Posted by: Anne | August 28, 2007 05:56 PM
What I can`t understand is why sit in a car in a church parking to observe people, why not go in and see for themselves. Are`nt they going to church to worship and be in fellowship with God and fellow Christians?
I "Googled'(as it is said) your book "God wrote a Book" and one of the "googles " was an AOL which I did not go to, but what was there seemed enough to make me feel sad for the person writing it claiming that he was not a Christian and that God didn`t write a book .Poor being as is my friend who says she is a Christian but says, "when you`re dead you`re dead".How empty, that is not beliving.
My other friend is a witness I told her about my study and that I am not a witness ,she is happy I am studying the truth and wants me to hand out watchtowers to my group at SCF.
I pray for them and try to have patience but I have come home and cried for people ,now I know why.
Thank-you God and thank-you Pastor.