What is the Status and Answer for the Churches in America Today?
Brethren, it is obvious to all who study and observe churches in our day that things have changed. Most recognize we are living in a post Christian era. A recent poll stated that those who are non religious has increased to 15% in America, an all time high. Every one knows mainline churches are declining. The mega church movement is booming. Of course, what they are offering truly only God knows, so it seems. But let me go further. I agree with one man’s assessment that while there is a somewhat of a boom in the mega church movement, that Bible believing churches are decreasing. If I were to be honest, overall it seems that sound, Bible teaching churches are less in number. But I hasten to add that what churches are there in that category seems to be becoming more distinct and refined (to the good). Our country is changing in this regard. The result will inevitably, barring God’s grace, result in more and more secularization of America, which will result in an increasing persecution of believers and churches who obey the Bible. I have said for years that my children, if they have the same Biblical convictions that I have, will have to go to jail for those convictions more than likely. That is strong, but mark my word. It is just around the corner. How many of you now are extremely private when you even talk about applying the rod to the child for correction?! What is the answer to all this? Well, we must face that in God’s plan He may be allowing this nation to loose its past history of being a righteous nation. It may be unstoppable. If God has decided to judge America to this degree, we cannot stop it (except we cry out to Him and He has mercy). Having said that, what is it the churches have lost or need to do what they ought to be doing that might shine as light in this dark and sinful world? Here is one noticeable thing that brought about this article. No doubt two answers for the churches are the need for churches to straighten up and for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be preached. The second is what caused me to write this article. It is the preaching of the Gospel. Brethren, it seems a sound understanding and proclamation of the Gospel to the world is almost gone in America. In most churches, the Gospel is weak at best and gone at worst. Here is an observation that will help then a word of hope! In all of America who, on the national scene, is known for preaching the Gospel! Think of all the household names in Christianity on T.V. and radio and in magazines. Name those known for preaching the Gospel. You will come up with only one name, and he no longer preaches. Yes, Billy Graham, now 89, is the only name you will give. I understand his ecumenism and problems, but he is the only name you or I could give. And he no longer preaches. Now notice this. Today in America, with all our media, there is not one, not one! Name, on the national scene, who is known for preaching the Gospel! Not one! God forbid! My, oh my! Can you not see this problem and how the best answer stares us in the face?! How could this be in America? No known Gospel preacher! Brethren, we all know it starts with the Gospel preached plainly and powerful. And all this brings me to our recent endeavors to make plain to those near us, by preaching personally, the message of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ’s work on the Cross. Yes, we need to grow as a church and so all churches. But it starts with clarity on and the preaching of the Gospel. So have hope. We are beginning, in a new way in recent days, to make this good news plain to those around us. Surely God will bless it. Will He turn the nation around? I don’t know. But He will and still saves and that is enough to rejoice in and look forward. Pray as this Gospel is preached. Tell it plainly to those around you as you are able. Don’t pull back on the message. It is for sinners. It is through the Blood of Jesus Christ. It still saves. Faith must be exercised. The Holy Spirit must work. Let us make this plain to those around us. Most have never heard it. Surely we can do that. Yes, we need to do as Jesus said. To preach the gospel to every creature - in America! in Wisconsin! in our cities we are in!
That is the crying need today.