The DeGRAFF FREE
State Route 235/
Phone: (937) 585-4463
James R. Roby, Pastor
CHEAP METHODS
How Unscriptural Methods Cheapen The
Work Of God
By 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.
1. 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
organizations 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 pleasure more than lovers of God?" (11 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,
giveaways, 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
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 immature 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 affection 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.
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.
Pastor E.L. Bynum
