Would Jesus Be Hired to Preach Here         By Kyle Marks

 

The religious leaders of today either don’t know or have very little insight into what Jesus presented to the multitudes and they seem to feel justified in presenting a different message than what He taught as evidenced by the ever changing attitudes of the world and the doctrines of many denominational churches.

These messages being presented are like drugs to addicts that abuse their bodies with the invasion of harmful materials. The churches are always looking for innovative methods to appeal to the masses of humanity. Some serve breakfast before worship or replace Bible study with entertainment, or even open schools to raise money for the church. The shocking reality is that the original call of the gospel is being distorted and replaced by offers and treats just to get members to attend a “church of man.”

These happenings have caused many to lose the “brand” of Christianity. Many are not even aware they have been led down the wrong path. Consider what should be the nature of preaching and it’s content in the church today and picture what would happen if our congregation hired Jesus Christ as the preacher.

First of all we note his method of teaching. It was amazingly direct. Read Matthew 12:34-35 and his direct approach to the Pharisees as he identified them as evil vipers incapable of speaking good. No beating around the bush here.

Then notice that he sent the multitudes away with “homework.” Matthew 5-7 is what we commonly call the sermon on the mount. Note that he began with the “be-attitudes” and ended with “homework.” He was direct in pointing out that the one who heard his words and “acted” on them was a “wise man” while the one who did not “act” on them was foolishly building his house on the sand.

In John 5, when Jesus healed a man who had been ill for thirty-eight years he gave him something to take home. He warned him, “do not sin any more, so that nothing worse happens to you.” I tend to think that the tone Jesus used was tender in nature, but the content was direct and to the point.

Do you see a pattern emerging? Teachers of today are trained to “grow” a church with positive words and nothing offensive or demanding. Jesus gave “homework,” warnings about sin, and demands to stop the sin. We should have homework also. Our homework should be to study our Bibles to gain the wisdom and knowledge of Jesus, so that we can be more like Him, even teach like Him.

If Jesus came to preach a meeting at our congregation, would he be invited back? Would he be able to survive in our congregation after he spoke directly, gave warnings, and sent us out to change?