Think Spot

Think Spot 13th August 2012

Why few or no conversions?

I have come to the conclusion that preachers may be preaching the truth in our Bible but is it changing peoples lives? Should that not be the object of every address delivered from our pulpits.? Is the preacher really seeking God to know what to preach about?. After all he knows who will be present in the services and what they need to hear, doesn't he? If nothing happens something must be wrong as Romans 1:16; clearly says “The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.” recently I have heard people go out from services saying “That was boring” “The speakers were unreal” Yes I know people can make excuses because they do not want to be touched by God but is it all their fault? Why isn't the truth empowered by The Holy Spirit really reaching its chosen mark? Hebrews 4:12; reads "The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God" quickening cutting etc. Is too much of the service being given over to other items not necessarily to be overlooked but are they introduced at such a time in the service that distracts from the real object of the preaching service to either convert or build up?. A service so filled that there is either little time left for the sermon or people are worn out in listening to the first part of service. Read once again Peter's sermon on day of Pentecost , how convicting was that? They were cut to the heart. Did they feel something during that sermon? Could they go home without a response? They felt the fear of God and knew they were guilty-They acknowledged their part in the death of Jesus Christ. Some say you must not preach too personal to any one. How foolish that is. The Word should work reaching the individual's ears of his or her heart saying “John, Julie Janet, this is for you to hear” The listeners to Peter came to a point during God's preached word when they wanted desperately for their lives to be changed. So much so they would be waiting around afterwards for a long while no doubt to be baptized. Remember, There were 3000 waiting.!! Also they would all have been counselled first wouldn't they? Is it possible there are there too many preachers entering our pulpits who are untrained, not called by God and not meant to preach. They haven't the gift of preaching. Is it fair to our congregations to have such men ministering ?? Or even men practising for the benefit of judges to ascertain their preaching ability during Sunday services? Surely there are other occasions suited for that purpose. When I take unconverted people to a gospel service I want them to hear the gospel. Nothing less. Consider this question. What kind of effect does the speaker have on his hearers? When Robert Murray Cheyenne appeared in the pulpit, before he opened his mouth the congregation were stilled and even silently tearful. Why? Here was a man who brought with him into the pulpit a sense of God's presence and the people knew he most certainly would deliver a message heaven sent and it was effective. The awesome sense of God's presence was there. This man only lived into his early thirties but revival broke out in his church even when he was away from it. God honoured this man's faithful ministry There was a seriousness about the church meetings and no flippancy which can be sadly experienced in churches today as if you must have humour to keep the people coming. Who is the preacher trying to please? God or man? My concluding thoughts are concerning the failings in the preacher and the failure in the presentation of God's Truth, the message of the preacher. The preacher has to be a God centred man, a man of integrity, knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures. A man whose life to live is the life of Christ and who truly believes that God's Word is God's powerful Word and he has no other message to preach. He is to preach it in a lively not boring manner because he knows it is truth and He is a man who knows The Spirit's work in his own life and knows something of the Spirit helping him in his preparation and delivery of God's message. He has a dynamite stick in his hand and he expects it to explode by the power of The Holy Spirit. To penetrate men and women's hearts. A man who speaks with authority and unafraid of upsetting the congregation and certainly not there to entertain them with humour. He is a dying man speaking to dying men and women. The time given to him must be adequate and not restricted by what follows the service. Football fans do not want the game to end. The theatre show to finish, do they? Read Acts 2:42ff. Day after day the news converts couldn't get enough of God's Word. But what do I hear christians say today? You have to break up the sermon into several parts with some singing between people cannot concentrate for more that ten minutes. That is untrue when a person is truly converted. They are hungry and thirsty for more. “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness for they will be filled.” Read your Bible carefully and you will see how true this is. Maybe we have too may intellectual believers who give assent to the gospel but their lives are not supernaturally changed. If not there is something wrong. Examine yourself my friends. The preacher must also never assume that all his hearers are believers. However his hearers may be knowledgeable in the scriptures. However influential they are in the church in helping to pay the ministers wages. They could even be marvellous in prayer meetings, very eloquent. The preacher has no favourites among the church and is not going to preach to please them. He is to preach as if all are sinners. Think about it, they truly are, saved or unsaved sinners. True Believers will not be offended by this but pleased to hear once again the gospel which secured them in Christ. The message must centre on Jesus Christ especially in the gospel service which should be regular each week. His life, death, resurrection, ascension and return in glory. Eternity and eternal punishment must be preached to draw people to Jesus Christ. If not saved we are lost there is no in-between. Please pray and consider what I say. I am sharing my deep concern for you to consider out of forty years a preacher, pastor, evangelist and a believer only by God's grace and in my happiest and holiest moments I cry for and long to see revival in the Church and much much more glory go to God and for His Church to be more more effective.

Joys Prayer

Gracious God and loving heavenly Father we acknowledge our need to come to the church meetings in the right spirit and pray very much for our church leaders that they may bring with them a greater sense of our Lord's presence and may our meetings be privileged with that beautiful and awesome sense of Your presence which we know is possible when "They preach The Word." When Solomon's Temple was built there was a tremendous sense of your presence there. It would have been awesome!! All was in keeping with your will and you blessed your people incredibly.. The priests could not stand to minister such was the power of your presence felt. Lord do it again please for your praise and glory. Please send revival into your church. Amen (The views expressed here are not necessariliy the views held by Partakers & Dave G Roberts) Right Mouse click to save this as an audio mp3 file

To help financially support Partakers, please do click the Paypal Donate image below. Thank you. Click on the appropriate link to subscribe to this website iTunes