Wandering Into Church (John Macarthur)

“When a sinner wanders into the church and sits through skits, mimes, interpretive dances, and the like, and yet never hears a clear, convicting message about his dangerous and tenuous spiritual situation– that he is a depraved sinner headed for an eternal fire because he is a daily offense to a holy God– how can that be called successful? You could achieve the same level of success by sending a cancer patient to receive treatment from a group of children playing doctor. A sinner must understand the imminent danger he is in if he is ever to look to the Savior. What’s worse is when seeker-focused churches baptize the masses with their watered-down gospel, assuring them that positive decisions, feelings, or affirmations about Christ equal genuine conversion. There are now multitudes who are not authentic Christians identifying with the church. As you set your strategy for church ministry, you dare not overlook the primary means of church growth: the straightforward, Christ-centered proclamation of the unadulterated Word of God.”
-John MacArthur

3 Responses to “Wandering Into Church (John Macarthur)”

  1. “convicting message about his dangerous and tenuous spiritual situation– that he is a depraved sinner headed for an eternal fire because he is a daily offense to a holy God”

    Is that the Gospel? Seems to me that both the approach you argue against and the one you fight for are lacking and not effective.

    • Hello Mike. It surely seems to me that the elements which John MacArthur highlights are essential elements of faithful gospel preaching. They were the elements which Edwards preached in the Great Awakening, and certainly that which Spurgeon held dear in his 40 year ministry in 19th century England.

      What do believe is the Gospel?

      Thank you kindly.

  2. Seems like the more razzle-dazzle, I’m okay, you’re okay preaching that is done leaves many people discontent and they finally end their search for a good church and stay home. What a shame! If a church doesn’t have all the fringe, they are usually half full and fighting to keep the faith. We need truth more than anything. Not opinion, not taking things out of content, but love and truth and of course the power of the Holy Spirit.

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