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What is the Church to Do? 

12/31/2012

 
As we stand upon the threshold of the New Year, many questions remain unanswered. There is still much anxiety in the hearts' of people, even among the church.  It seems as if many have acquired a gloomy outlook regarding our future.  


My thoughts have been  focused on the challenges the church faces in these difficult times.  There can be little doubt that we face great adversity and undeniable challenges.  The naysayers would have us to believe there is little hope for revival and any hope of spiritual renewal are long gone.  It is apparent that the spiritual climate of our modern society has deteriorated at an alarming rate.  We face an increasing struggle to engage those who are lost without Christ, hoping to help them recognize their need of salvation.  Numbers and attendance are down across the board.  Clearly we have entered a spiritual climate that ought to drive us to our needs in prayer and supplication before God.  


As we survey the needs and difficulties of our day, there should really be no surprise. In fact, the Bible teaches that this environment must evolve prior to the Lord's return for the church.   2 Thes. 2:3 - Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;  The phrase "falling away" speaks of a departure, literally apostasy.  We are seeing that come to pass in our generation, right before our very eyes.  Our nation as a whole has clearly turned away from God. 


So, that begs the question: What is the church to do in such a time as this?  We are seeing the prophecy of Scripture fulfilled.  God's Word will be accomplished in His time and in His way without fail.  Just as there was an appointed time for Christ to come in the first advent, so too there is an appointed time for Him to come again.  Many seem to have given up on their responsibility.  They would say,  "The Bible is being fulfilled and there is nothing we can do about it.  People are not as receptive as they used to be, and there is little use to try and reach them." 


I fear that is the attitude of many within the church today.  They may not readily admit it, but many are all too ready to chalk up the lack of genuine conversions and a drastic decline in attendance to unchangeable  circumstances.  


Be that as it may, we have a choice to make.  Are we going to sit idly by, waiting within the comfort of our salvation for the Lord to return, or are we going to rise to the occasion and meet the challenges of our day for the glory of God.  We know these events must transpire, and they will just as God pleases, but that is no license for us to abandon the work that Christ has left us to fulfill.  We are still in the age of grace.  The Spirit of God is still at work, even if we fail to see it. There are still countless souls lost and undone before God.  The church has a responsibility to continue in the faith as long as she is here.  


We face great challenges, but I choose to rise to the occasion, striving to do all I can in the time that I have.  These are dark days, but light shines brightest when it is darkest.  We still have a work to do!  I don't want to stand before the Lord and realize that I gave up in the third quarter when the victory could have been won!  I am committed to staying in the race, seeking to serve the Lord as He would have me too, even if the results are not what I desired or what former generations achieved. 


What will you choose for the coming year?  If you were to meet Christ our Lord this year, would you be confident in your accomplishments?  Surely there is still much to be done, and it has fallen our lot to labor in the harvest at this particular time! 


Preacher Chris

Merry Christmas!

12/25/2012

 
I trust that each of you have a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.  We have all faced various difficulties and trials this past year, but we are blessed beyond measure.  I am thankful that the Lord came to this earth as a humble babe in order to provide for our redemption.  His birth set in motion the events that lead to the cross and His sacrificial death for our sin.  We celebrate His birth, but we are the ones who have received the gift, the greatest gift ever given!  If you are born again in Christ, you have received His abundant gift of grace. 


As I consider all that this wonderful time of the year means to us, I am reminded of how blessed I am.  I have a wonderful family that shares their love with each other.  I was privileged to spend time with them yesterday in Taylorsville.  We are back in Mount Airy this morning, and I remain thankful for my wonderful wife of 22 years and the beautiful girls that God has blessed our family with.  I am honored to Pastor a wonderful church that loves and supports us, and isn't ashamed to show their love and appreciation.  I am truly blessed!!


Take a few moments to reflect on all that the Lord has done for you and I am convinced that you will feel blessed beyond measure as well.  You may not have received everything you asked or hoped for this Christmas, but if Christ is your Lord and Savior, you have the blessed hope of eternal life.  Surely that is enough to rejoice in today. 


Preacher Chris

Equipped to Endure

12/8/2012

 
I am looking forward to finishing the message I began last week entitled: Equipped to Endure.  The text for the message is from 2 Timothy 1: 7-10.  Paul wrote this final letter to Timothy while awaiting his execution in a Roman Prison.  He knew that his life would soon be over here upon this earth, but he wanted to encourage Timothy to remain steadfast in the faith.  Timothy had faced much adversity for standing for Christ and preaching the gospel.  This opposition would continue, but he had received all he needed to endure for the Lord. 


As I studied and pondered this passage, I realized that we already have everything we need to endure for the Lord and be productive in our labor for Him.  I know that we are indwelt with the Spirit the moment we are saved.  At that moment, I was as saved as I am today.  The Spirit continues to work in my life as I grow and mature spiritually, but I have been given what I need to be successful for the Lord. 


I preached the first portion of this message last Sunday morning, dealing with Vv.7-8.  (You can find the notes on the New Testament Page.) Tomorrow I plan to deal with Vv.9-10.  This is the climax of the line of thought that Paul sought to share with Timothy.  In Vv.9-10, Paul reveals the foundation upon which all he has just shared with Timothy rests.  Paul turns his attention to the salvation of the believer and all that involves.  


All that we do for Christ is built upon our salvation.  Apart from a relationship with Christ, we cannot serve Him.  Many today are deeply involved in religion, but they are accomplishing nothing of lasting value for the cause of Christ because they do not know Him as Lord and Savior.  


Timothy faced many who were zealously religious.  Some were deeply committed to the doctrines and philosophies of the day.  These were easily swayed and discouraged. Timothy had received something far greater.  He enjoyed a relationship with Christ.  That relationship, and the power it affords, made all the difference in Timothy's life, and it will in ours as well. 


Notice the powerful words that are preserved for us in Scripture: 


2 Tim. 1:9-10 
    Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
[10] But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 



As I considered the words of Paul, I realized the enormity of these words.  Paul reveals several aspects of our salvation.  He spoke of: 


1. The Presence of Salvation - Who hath saved us. 

2. The Peace of Salvation - and called us with a holy calling. 

3. The Providence of Salvation - not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace. 

4. The Person of Salvation - which was given us in Christ Jesus. 

5. The Provision of Salvation - which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. 

6. The Preservation of Salvation (V.10) - But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 


When we take a moment to consider all we have received in Christ through salvation, how could we possibly not have the assurance of possessing all we need to serve Him?  The world is difficult and adversity abounds, but the believer is in Christ, equipped of Him, and promised life eternal through the One who has already abolished death. That ought to challenge us to press on for the glory of God. Lean on the Lord and labor for Him, even in the face of adversity! 


Preacher Chris

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    I am Chris Benfield, pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church in Boonville, NC. Here you will find some of my thoughts, particularly relating to the church and serving our Lord.                                                   

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