Friday, February 10, 2012
John 12:21 "Sir, we wish to see Jesus."
WE WISH TO SEE JESUS
God wants His people to discern between orthodox (correct) teaching and heterodox (false) teaching. False teaching is a faith killer. 2 Timothy 2:17, "Their teaching will spread like gangrene." Therefore, out of love for our souls, God calls us to avoid fellowship connections with those who "cause divisions and offenses that are contrary to the doctrine you have learned" (cf. Romans 16:16-17).
Recognizing false teaching for what it is isn't all that difficult. One simply compares what the church or preacher teaches and stands for to what God's Word teaches. If the two aren't the same, then you know you have a problem.
What's often harder to recognize is what's missing. For example, there are many Biblically "accurate" sermons broadcast on the radio, but in many of those sermons there is often something missing. What is missing is a strong proclamation of the Gospel, the good news of salvation through the doing, dying, and rising of Jesus. While many good and correct points are often made in these radio sermons, sometimes very little is said in them concerning the full and free forgiveness that Christ won for all sinners! Much is said about what one should be doing to please God, while little is said about what Christ did for us.
Confessional Lutheran pastors are trained to let the Gospel have the general predominance in all their teaching and preaching. This fits with St. Paul's approach to ministry. Read his letters. They're all front loaded with the pure, sweet Gospel. In his letters Paul certainly addresses issues pertaining to the Christian life, but only after building us up in the truths of Christ's love for us.
Certain Greeks once asked Philip, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus!" We also want to see Jesus. We want to see when we go to church on Sundays. We see Jesus in our churches when His Word, the Bible, is taught accurately, without additions or subtractions. We see Jesus in our churches when the message of Christ crucified for the forgiveness of all our sins is given center stage.
Pray that your church and pastor continues to hold to sound doctrine, coupled with a healthy emphasis on Jesus' redeeming love.
