You can be sure of this - Today's preaching will never bring revival! Any great out-pouring of the Holy Spirit, any great out-pouring of God's mercy, any great revival among men, any great work of salvation will come by God making a revelation of Christ in their hearts thorough the preaching of the gospel!
Today's preaching is a mere "form of godliness, but denying the power thereof!" Modern religion is nothing but a schedule of programs, acts of reformation, entertainment, and emotionalism. It consists of nothing but traditions, and customs, and symbols. There is nothing in the average church about the glory and honor of God. There is no demand for submission to the claims of Christ. The subject matter is not what God has done for man but what man can do for God!
Today's preaching presents a weak, frail, defeated, frustrated Jesus, who waits upon the will and whim of the creature, a Jesus who can do nothing unless men let Him! Nothing is said of the sovereign, almighty Christ, who said, "All power is mine!" (John 17:2). The Christ of the Bible is God who has His way everywhere, at all times (Ps. 115:3).
Today's preaching ignores the royal claims of King Jesus. In the Bible men and women approached Christ as a sovereign King, knowing they deserved His wrath, hoping He would show them mercy.
If you want to know why I give preachers such a hard time, if you want to know what is wrong with modern preaching, just listen to Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost. Then go tomorrow night, anywhere you want to in this country and compare it to what you hear. What did Peter preach at Pentecost?
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