CHEAP
METHODSHOW UNSCRIPTURAL METHODS
CHEAPEN THE WORK OF GODBy E. L. BYNUM
Churches are facing a crisis today. Many of
them are recognizing the need of doing
something, but instead of returning to New
Testament doctrine and practice, they are turning
to cheap unscriptural methods. While this may
seem to be the answer, it will spell the ruin of any
church.I. EXAMPLES OF CHEAP METHODS 1. Contests are the fad of our day. Many seem
to be convinced that all progress in the Sunday
school must be centered around some contest.
There are many different kinds appearing all the
time. This usually results in the church building
being decorated with amateurish drawings and
cut-outs, which look like a cross between a
carnival and a kindergarten.
There are a number of independent organiza-
tions operated by publicity experts, whose main
business is to plan these contests and campaigns
and then sell them to the churches.
2. Along with the contests come the give-
aways. You name it, and probably some church
is giving it away as a prize. Here are a few
that we have heard of lately: Bibles, balloons,
T-shirts, ball point pens, gold fish, helicopter
rides, trading stamps, horse and saddle, cars,
trips to the Holy Land, and at least one Baptist
Church gave away a boat and motor. This creates
in the mind of adults, as well as children, the idea
that they must be bribed or paid to do the work of
God.
3. Parties and social activities hold a very
important place in the average church. There is a
party to fit any occasion, whether it be a holiday or
a celebration. The religious book stores have
plenty of books that tell how it is to be done. The
common excuse for such a program of social
activities is: "We must do it to hold the young
people." Why don't they admit that the churches
have become "lovers of pleasures more than lovers
of God[?]" (II Timothy 3:4)
4. The church kitchen is a potent weapon today.
The kitchen outranks the pulpit in many churches.
There is a constant round of banquets, suppers,
and breakfasts which are calculated to appeal to
every age group and class of individual. There is
the kick-off banquet, the victory dinner, the
revival breakfast, and visitation supper. The
kitchen is used to keep the active members,
restore the inactive ones, and to get the prospects
in the church. "For they that are such serve not
our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by
good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts
of the simple." (Romans 16:18) "...whose God
is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame,
who mind earthly things." (Philippians 3:19)
5. Sports have now made a full fledged invasion
of the churches. There are the church softball
leagues, the church basketball leagues, and the
church bowling leagues. This of course costs a lot
of money for uniforms and equipment, but it can
usually be raised. Because it is going for such a
good cause.
If a church is busy with contests, give-aways,
suppers, parties, and sports, when do they have
time to carry out the Great Commission? (Matt.
28:18-20)
6. Entertainment is used to draw a crowd. The
entertainer who can draw a crowd, and yet throw
in a little religion, is very much in demand. If you
can play a tune on whisky bottles, cow bells, or a
saw, you have got it made. Quartets who can put a
lot of "rock" into "gospel songs" are a sure thing
to draw a crowd. (The preacher can preach a short
message after they are through. Poor soul.)
There are a lot of ex-Hollywood greats, or could
have been greats, who are now in the "gospel"
business. (It is a wonder that Hollywood has
survived, with so many of them quitting.) The
crowds come to hear the sordid story of their lives,
which usually glorifies the flesh rather than God.
(A poor fellow who was raised by Christian
parents and has lived a clean life, is definitely
handicapped with this crowd.)II. WHY THESE CHEAP METHODS WORK We live in a day when it is commonly believed
that anything is good if it works. We make bold to
say that these cheap methods do work, they do
produce results. Why?
1. They appeal to the worldly minded people.
2. They are aimed at the juvenile, and im-
mature mind. (That is the kind of mind that the
average American has. For further information
watch your TV set.)
3. Carnal methods in the church are so near the
methods of the world, that it is easy to get people
to feel at home in the church. In other words, it is
easier to bring the world into the church than to
get the world out of people.
4. It is easier to get people enthused over some
man-made plan, rather than the simple Bible
method.
5. These cheap methods make no provision for
the crucifixion of the flesh. "And they that are
Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections
and lusts." (Galatians 5:24)
6. They appeal to the vast multitude of lost
people in the churches today.III. WHAT WE NEED TODAY 1. We need to recognize that unscriptural
methods cheapen the name of God, cheapen the
Word of God, and cheapen the power of God.
2. We need to realize that these methods
produce weak shallow converts who will not stand
in time of testing.
3. We need to return to God's plan. The flesh
must be crucified. God must be recognized as holy
and given His rightful place. The Word of God
must be read, studied, preached, and practiced.
Prayer must be engaged in. (Not just a formality.)
Walking in the spirit must become a reality.
Visitation must become an every day practice.
Brethren, the day is so desperate, the hour is so
late, and the opposition is so great, that we dare
not, we must not, use anything but the very best.
God's way, if practiced, will produce results
that are real and everlasting.
There are many imitations, but there is no
substitute.Tract # C-503 Order From:
TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH
1911 34th St., E. L. Bynum, [former] Pastor
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