📖Scripture:
“Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand… and great was its collapse.” – Matthew 7:26-27
🔎Examination:
“How’d we get here?” — that’s the question posed at the start of this week's sermon, and it’s the right question. Not geographically, but spiritually. How did we get to a place where only about 40% of so-called born-again Christians believe Jesus lived a sinless life? Where less than 5% of churches in America prioritize relational discipleship, and pulpits are filled with charismatic puppets… wolves in sheep’s clothing?
The Apostle Paul saw this day coming two thousand years ago. The Holy Spirit inspired him to warn Timothy of a time when people within the visible church would no longer tolerate sound doctrine — not because truth became unclear, but because sin became too precious to crucify. The issue isn’t ignorance; it’s idolatry. “They will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.” That’s not a problem of access to information or revelation; it’s a problem with God's sovereignty and refusal to submit to it.
The sermon reminded us that this drift began long before the 21st century. Since the early 1800s… there’s been a great exchange—sound doctrine has been jettisoned by the American church and replaced by secular culture as the new religion. The church that once produced pastors, evangelists, and missionaries now produces customers, consumers, and influencers. Pulpits that once thundered with the GOSPEL and a call to repentance now promote philosophy and whisper about relevance. Like Judas, the church betrayed and sold out King Jesus, but rather than a bag of silver, the slave price was community acceptance… human approval… and favorable reviews.
At the root of this spiritual collapse is a tragic trade: truth for tolerance, conviction for comfort, holiness for happiness, obedience for optics. King Jesus already revealed the outcome — the house built on sand will collapse. When the winds of God's divine and gracious judgment blow, only those whose foundation is the Word will stand.
From Thomas Jefferson’s 1802 “wall of separation” letter to the Johnson Amendment of 1954, the sermon traced how fear — not faith — drove American churches into silence. And ever since then… pastors, churches, and entire denominations have avoided politics like the plague — not for the sake of biblical integrity or Gospel witness… but to ensure they wouldn’t jeopardize their precious tax-exempt status. That’s not prudence; that’s cowardice. Revelation 21:8 leaves no ambiguity about cowardice’s eternal residence, “...their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”
God’s Word not only defines the problem, but prescribes the exclusive cure. The cure isn’t nostalgia or activism — it’s repentance via reformation. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father.” (Matt 7:21) This isn't about manufactured righteousness; supernatural regeneration always precedes reformation. There can be no truly honorable, good, or enduring deeds (Strong's Greek 2570: καλός) that are not sourced in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Church’s identity (in Christ) must be rediscovered before its ministry/witness/power (in the Holy Spirit) can be recovered to accomplish the will of the heavenly Father. The elect of God are not organizational volunteers; they are foreigners and exiles, citizens of a heavenly kingdom. We glorify our God of Holy Trinity in joyfully gathering with King Jesus, intentionally growing in the WORD, lavishly giving ourselves away 100%, and courageously going in the power and unity of the GOSPEL as devoted members of Christ's Body & Bride.
So how did the American Church get here? One compromise at a time. One small concession after another. The sermon said it plainly: “All it took was the mere threat of removing tax-exempt status… and the American church caved.” When “fear of man” outweighs “fear of God,” apostasy is inevitable. Yet Peter and Paul both remind the faithful that true honor and goodness (καλός) cannot be legislated or silenced — because it flows from resurrection union and reconciliation with Christ.
The drift is real. But so is the call. Christ is still building His Church with living stones, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. The question is not whether America will return to God; the question is whether the American Church will... whether you will.
🤺Action:
Test your doctrine: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts.” (Ps 139:23–24) — Examine what teachings shape your worldview. Is it Scripture or culture?
Weigh your motivations: “Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD.” (Lam 3:40) — Do your ministry decisions flow from faith or fear?
Compare your foundation: “Each one must examine himself.” (1 Cor 11:28) — What are you building on? The sand of popularity or the rock of Christ’s Word?
Discern counterfeit comfort: “Test all things; hold fast to what is good.” (1 Thess 5:21) — When compromise is dressed as compassion, call it what it is: betrayal and sin.
🧠Reflection:
The world doesn’t need another shallow church of New Age positivity — it needs Christ's purified Bride. The warning is not condemnation; it’s mercy. King Jesus exposes rot so He can renew His temple with living stones. If we confess that we “sold out long ago,” and repent... we’re already on the path of restoration. The drift from sound doctrine doesn’t have to end with despair; it could end where all grace begins — at the foot of the cross, where Christ calls His people back to faithfulness. That choice is yours.
This week, refuse the shallow comfort of a compromised gospel. Refuse to fear meaningless loss (e.g., tax status). Fear God alone. Let your life, your church, and your witness proclaim what the sermon declared without apology: “We live not in apathy or anxiety, but to proclaim the excellencies of Christ Jesus, our Savior and King.”
Click the following link for a short video version of today's post:
Blessings & love,
Kevin M. Kelley
Pastor
No comments:
Post a Comment