We live in an unusual time. I think that we can all agree on that. As secularism continues to gain hold in this country, the influence of Christianity continues to wane. But what is so unusual about this that the prevalence and availability of Christianity. Through modern media, there are more popular preachers today than at any time in church history, but few powerful ones. There also are more popular churches, but few powerful ones. There is much activity, but little spiritual fruit; much talk about Christianity, but little conviction; high moral proclamations, but little accountability; doctrinal creeds, but much compromise. (MacArthur, 36)
A form of Christianity is still prevalent, but it is not effective. We are left to ask the question why? Today I am going to propose the reason for the ineffectiveness of Christianity is the failure of the church to stand on the Word. For decades, the church has moved away from the centrality of the Word. They have instead promoted a feel-good religion designed to attract the seeker. They have moved away from the Word and the tough teaching it provides and moved to modern psychology, entertainment methods, and self esteem models. Theology/Biblical teaching is viewed as boring and unhelpful. And so churches have moved away from the Word. But this misses the very purpose of the church.
Ephesians 4:12-14 – to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
Hebrews 6:1 – Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
The Church and the Christian are called to live deep effective lives which impact the World around them. We are called to be strong in the Lord. This is the message to which Paul now turns. He calls for Timothy and us to be effective Christians. And in order to be effective Christians, we must be strong in the Lord.
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