Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. It has become such a common
practice to call buildings churches that the average person, even
most so-called Christians, think nothing of it, and some are even
offended when this matter is brought up. But the Scripture
never uses such language. Churches are called out assemblies
of God's people gathered in certain places. The churches in the New
Testament are known by the locations wherein they met, and not vice
versa as we have it today. A church may exist without a
building to meet in, but a building can never be a church in scriptural
terms. Now, I am sure that many will
agree with what I am saying, but they will laugh it off as
a technicality and continue on with the same unscriptural practice
that they have known all their lives, preferring tradition to
that which cannot be denied in the Word of God. But as unscriptural
as the practice of calling buildings churches may be, it is a minor
error compared to the bold letters on the sign in front of a meeting
house which said, Find Jesus at this church. Now, as absurd
as such a statement is, I recognize that this concept is a pretty
common one also. I've heard men talk about finding
Jesus and encouraging others to do the same. Some may even
say, What's wrong with saying that? Well, the primary error
is in the implication of what is being said. It is the epitome
of pride for a man to think that he has it within his power and
ability to discover the Lord God of heaven and earth by his
own effort. The God of the Bible is described thusly, who only
hath immortality dwelling in the light to which no man can
approach unto, whom no man hath seen nor can see, to whom be
honor and power everlasting. The true and living God reveals
himself to men according to his choice. Blessed is the man whom
thou choosest and causest to approach unto thee, that he may
dwell in thy courts. Canst thou by searching find
out God? We are at his mercy, not he at ours. The true and
living God does not dwell in temples made with hands, so it
is impossible to find him at a particular location. One of
the characteristics of idolatry is that the God who is worshipped
can always be located because he or she has no power to move
on his own. One of the most idolatrous practices
in modern churches, in my opinion, is the altar call or invitation.
At the conclusion of preaching, it is often announced that now
men are going to be given the opportunity to be saved, as if
it is within the puny power of men to appoint a place and time
where God will meet with men. Salvation is not something that
a man can decide on or take advantage of. It is not an offer to be
accepted or rejected according to one's own desire. Rather,
it is the gift of Almighty God, granted to sinners according
to his own schedule and circumstance. The Lord Jesus Christ is not
lost, therefore he cannot be found. The scripture speaks about
him finding the lost sheep, and by way of the allegory of finding
a lost coin. He recovers that which is his.
He is the one who seeks his own. He knew his people before they
knew him. He bought them with his own blood. He sought them
when they were not seeking him, and he brought them out of darkness
when they could not even discern the darkness. For the Son of
Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. A person
cannot lose something that was not his to start with. The gospel
message is one which centers on the person and work of Christ.
It is quite common to see the message reversed in most modern
preaching, which centers on what man needs to do in order to gain
salvation. In fact, the work of Christ is
often only mentioned as something that men should receive or accept.
The primary concern of most so-called preachers and soul winners is
to get folks to make decisions and let the Lord into their hearts.
How on earth did the true gospel ever become so perverted? How
can a man dead in trespasses and sins let the Lord do anything?
Since when was the Lord reduced to waiting on men to do something?
Not one time in the Holy Scriptures do we find anybody preaching
the gospel as an offer to be accepted or rejected. We are
quite certain that the salvation of the Lord's people does not
in any way depend upon the will of man. The God of heaven and
earth shall accomplish His purpose in the earth completely and cannot
be hindered nor aided by the abilities of men. Men stand in
need of the Lord to do something for them and not vice versa. We rejoice to discover in the
scriptures that He is mighty to save. He has obtained eternal
redemption for His elect children, and He is in the process of calling
them from out of every tribe, kindred, and tongue on the face
of the earth. Were it not that the God of all
grace was intent on gathering the lost, there would be no hope
for such sinners as we are. Have you been found by Christ?
For a free CD containing 15 of these radio broadcasts, send
an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.