Preach the Word!

"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." 2 Timothy 4:2-4 NKJV Something concerns me about a great deal of the preaching I hear nowadays--I fear that in an effort to be more seeker-friendly & have a broader appeal to their communities, many preachers focus on the loving side of GOD's character & downplay or completely ignore that He is also a Righteous Judge. Don't get me wrong--GOD is most assuredly a loving GOD & He wants to prosper us, spiritually moreso than materially. However, we cannot omit the fact that He will judge the just as well as the unjust. Many pastors, both the average & the famous, appear to be more concerned with growing their churches numberwise than in promoting true discipleship. I realize numbers are important. Larger churches have the man/womanpower to support various ministries & outreaches and those are needed. Tithes & offerings are contingent on the number of congregants also & obviously, money is necessary to pay bills & fund the ministries of the church. But, what exactly is the purpose of the church? I tend to think it is more important to preach GOD'S Word in its entirety. Otherwise, the church is nothing more than a Christian country club. The Gospel is "good news" but it also carries the weight of responsibility--the responsibility of living in accordance to GOD's principles and standards. If people don't know/understand them, how can they be expected to live them out? Preachers & teachers should take that responsibility seriously. I believe they will be held accountable at judgment for this very thing. That being said, all aspects of GOD's character need to be explained from the pulpit. Sin needs to be addressed & called "SIN" rather than sugarcoating it in order to make it less offensive. The Gospel is offensive for good reason. People must see sin as sin & realize their need for salvation. Once they are saved, it is the responsibility of the church to disciple them in the Christian life. I'm not sure we are doing justice to the calling GOD has placed on us as ministers of His word. And yes, if we call ourselves a Christian, we are all ministers of the Gospel & expected to share GOD with those within our circle of influence. The big question is, is the church influencing & changing the world or is the world influencing & changing the church? What are your thoughts? Blessings! Tony