From the Elder's Pen THIS IS NOT A HAMBURGER STAND PART II Past/Future Articles

(continued from June 4)

We’re not in the growth business.  At least this is not our priority.  We are to sow, plant and water.  God will give the increase.  Paul saw this day and said, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine.”  Another version says, “When people won’t tolerate sound doctrine but after their own lusts, appetites, and fancies they will have it their own way.” (II Timothy 4:2-3).  And what was Paul’s recommendation?  Preach the word; not relevance, not mere peace and harmony, not-the end justifies the means.  Or are we in the people pleasing business?  Paul said, “If I were still pleasing men I should not be the servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).  His business and ours is to please Christ.

Maybe the church is like a hospital emergency room where men and women from all walks of life come in sick, hurt, bleeding, and dying.  Yet they will all ask for the same thing – please help me.  They don’t ask to have it their way.  They are not concerned about how long it will take.  They don’t ask how soft are the mattresses.  They don’t ask the  temperature of the room.  They don’t notice whether the carpet and curtains match.  They don’t walk out because there is someone in the next bed they don’t like.  They don’t go back home because no one spoke to them.  They do not leave because the doctor has on a green jacket instead of a white one.

Until we can convince the world of its sick, lost and dying condition and lift Jesus up as the great physician and the only hope in this world, men will continue to be picky.  The prodigal was picky until he was destitute.  Then he said, “Make me a servant.”  The church is facing a spoiled, pampered, indulged generation and we must not give in.  Bob Plunket, Tuscumbia, AL

Submitted by Walter M. Bishop, Elder