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“Speak unto us smooth things . . .” (Isaiah 30:10).

The faithful preacher of the Gospel is never universally popular. While some will love him for his faithfulness, great numbers will hate him for his unwillingness to compromise.

In the days of Isaiah, the Lord pronounced judgment because the people refused the warnings of doom, for they wanted the prophets to bring messages which would not condemn their sins, saying, “Speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.”

People often believe that a good sermon should make everyone feel comfortable and at ease.

On the contrary, a really good Bible sermon disturbs, irritates, awakens and causes dissatisfaction and unrest. Before anyone can find comfort in Christ, he must first be made to feel his failures and shortcomings.

There are three steps in the process of conviction: first, the sinner becomes mad; then he becomes sad; and finally, he becomes glad when he confesses his sin and turns to Christ.

What kind of a sermon did your preacher give you last Sunday? Was it one that made you feel satisfied with yourself? If it did, you had better hear someone else next Sunday. But if the sermon awakened in you a consciousness of your unworthiness, then thank God for him.

A man described under three headings a certain sermon he had heard: it was a moving, soothing and satisfying message. It was very moving, for half the audience left before it was half over. It was very soothing, because most of those who remained fell fast asleep. And it was highly satisfying, since everyone declared they had had enough of that kind of preaching.

The word of God is a sword (Hebrews 4:12); a knife (Acts 5:33); a fire (Jeremiah 23:29); a hammer (Jeremiah 23:29); and a lamp (Psalm 119:105). The word of God is a two-edged sword. It wounds to heal; it kills to make alive.

- M. R. DeHaan

1 posted on 01/31/2021 7:19:15 AM PST by Pilgrim's Progress
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To: Pilgrim's Progress

Actually I sat this Sunday out bad heart and the freezing cold do not go together anyway what I recommend is Fr. Josiah Trenham he is the best of the best and you could listen to him via Apple through the Podcasts.


2 posted on 01/31/2021 7:24:46 AM PST by peter the great
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To: Pilgrim's Progress

Out went the fire and brimestone, in came the neo pagan decadence. When did tolerating evil become a virtue? Most sermons will essentially advocate tolerance of the evil around you. When preachers cease to be counter cultural, especially in this era, they are worse than useless.


3 posted on 01/31/2021 7:31:47 AM PST by allendale
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To: Pilgrim's Progress

Given the leftward drift of the leaders in the religious community, my church is my home. My benevolence is who I mail checks to.


5 posted on 01/31/2021 7:48:47 AM PST by brownsfan (The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.)
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To: Pilgrim's Progress
Sermons are often rebroadcast on church websites today. This allows us to quickly preview the church so we can get a glimpse into the pastor's approach. Fast forward works well. Are they offering utter garbage (eg. "Why Mothers are so special" "How to be happy in 2021" etc.) or enlightening/edifying/nourishing verse by verse teaching.

You have provided an article by the late, great teacher M.R. DeHahn. In just the second paragraph I learn a little more about the times of Isaiah which adds to my growth and builds the inner man. That is staying with the Word.

Strenuously avoid the fancy architectural delights hosting very "cool" "modern praise bands." They presume that their "gifted" offering is to be preferred above the traditional choir or congregational singing/worship.

To our culture the Lord might say:
Rev. 3:17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
6 posted on 01/31/2021 8:13:14 AM PST by EliRoom8
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To: Pilgrim's Progress

Same Catholic homily template: ‘The Gospel message today is “To be happy, be nice to everyone” and/or “Be thankful for nature’s beauty God gave us.”’

Missing:
‘You individually are a sinner, so be thankful for the sacrifice of pain and suffering Christ endured for you as an individual. Repent and accept Him and what He did, which we will re-create fully here, or else face eternal separation from God.’

Help me out - did I miss anything here or state this wrong?


7 posted on 01/31/2021 8:20:57 AM PST by ReaganGeneration2
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To: Pilgrim's Progress

We listened to The Lutheran Hour message from Mark. Outstanding, as usual for decades. Then we listened to Dutch Sheets, Give Him 15...another excellent daily message/video from him and great daily decree!!

This evening we have our home church. Small group we formed when churches were in lockdown in March, 2020. We are studying Spirit, Soul and Body from Andrew Womack. Powerful study, especially of our spirit within when we are born again.

All the above are just empowering and Jesus will lead us to serve with our individual gifts for the great harvest of souls that is beginning now!!!

Let the church arise!!!! Blessings abundant to all!


9 posted on 01/31/2021 8:30:22 AM PST by YouGoTexasGirl ( )
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To: Pilgrim's Progress

Its difficult to find a house of worship that abides in the uncompromised Word of God. So many place themselves on a higher position of membership in the Body today.

Revelation 2:5-7
King James Version
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.

7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.


11 posted on 01/31/2021 9:01:33 AM PST by patriot torch (Ashlie Babbitt-say her name)
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To: Pilgrim's Progress

1st Peter 4:7
‘The end of all things is near’

Powerful sermon in a small Baptist Church


12 posted on 01/31/2021 9:06:21 AM PST by Guenevere (When the foundations are being destroyed what can the righteous do)
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To: Pilgrim's Progress

Due to the liberal direction the pulpit is being taken, instead of filling the House, it has led to the emptying of the House.

Its this garbage called “secret sensitive” which is a key phrase to speak that from the public that effects the conscience of the sinner.


13 posted on 01/31/2021 9:07:56 AM PST by patriot torch (Ashlie Babbitt-say her name)
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To: Pilgrim's Progress

None. Governor closed the church in March 2020.


17 posted on 01/31/2021 9:22:24 AM PST by JerryBlackwell (some animals are more equal than others)
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To: Pilgrim's Progress

The following pretty much sums up the seeker sensitive classification:

The most dangerous aspect of the Seeker Sensitive Movement is that it encourages the unity of all beliefs. The Seeker Sensitive Movement teachers teach that “All paths lead to God” and that we shouldn’t concern ourselves much with Bible prophecy, and that the prophesies can be interpreted any way you like. This slothful doctrine allows the Devil to make the professing followers of Jesus and those of the world indistinguishable.

LARRY KING: “If you believe you have to believe in Christ? They’re wrong, aren’t they?”

JOEL OSTEEN: “Well, I don’t know if I believe they’re wrong.”

Now why would a “supposed” man of God say something like this? If we read above that Jesus is the ONLY way to our Father in Heaven, then Mr. Osteen should have proclaimed an emphatic “Yes, Jesus IS the only way!”


23 posted on 01/31/2021 9:46:49 AM PST by patriot torch (Ashlie Babbitt-say her name)
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To: Pilgrim's Progress

Another interesting excerpt exposing another false doctrine with growing influence:

Have you ever heard of Amillennial Theology, or “Dominionism”? It basically teaches that there will be no literal 1000-year reign of Jesus after the Resurrection, that the world will be Christianized BEFORE Jesus comes back. Not only is this doctrine completely Biblically false, but it is also very dangerous. It directly plays into the Papacy’s ecumenical movement - convincing the modern Christian world that God will be on THEIR side in THIS life, restoring the Kingdom in our time in this fleshly world. This very belief will be what leads modern followers of the Antichrist to actually persecute God’s TRUE people during the time the Beast’s Mark is enforced.


25 posted on 01/31/2021 9:52:10 AM PST by patriot torch (Ashlie Babbitt-say her name)
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To: Pilgrim's Progress

I Corinthians 13:9 and 12. Not a focus on that chapter as the “Love Chapter”, but on realizing that we don’t know everything and can’t understand everything now — “through a glass, darkly”. Later we will understand. Trust God now.

Good sermon.


28 posted on 01/31/2021 12:34:11 PM PST by MayflowerMadam (They HAD to kill somebody for their plan to work. RIP Ashli.)
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To: Pilgrim's Progress

I’m a senior volunteer for a youth outdoor program. we had a leadership meeting with my fellow leaders this weekend. We had a simple worship time together this morning. My wife said I missed a good sermon at church today. The speaker gave a message several months ago in which he urged a “reasonable” approach to all the government lockdowns.

I was so peeved I sent an eight page response to my church leadership that included “I reject being reasonable to government overreach” and discussing how the government has exactly zero oversight of a church.

My wife said that he circumspectly replied to those with different opinions. Sounds like he got the message.


29 posted on 01/31/2021 12:48:46 PM PST by cyclotic (The most dangerous people are the ones that feel the most helpless)
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To: Pilgrim's Progress

John MacArthur at Grace Community Church was outstanding!

Just one quote: “A society is defined by what it will not tolerate.”

Romans 1:24-32 was considered in light of what our society has come to, including the current usurper, and concluded that godless individuals have arrived at total insanity, preferring lies to truth of any kind.


32 posted on 01/31/2021 1:38:14 PM PST by Willgamer (Rex Lex or Lex Rex?)
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To: Pilgrim's Progress
Actually , I was in Michigan for today’s sermon. It was the Michigan State Newman center church. The priest, Father Mike, was obviously a teacher, and a darn good one. He explained the gospel reading (Mark 1:21-28) and did a great job. Essentially described how Jesus came to destroy evil, and we should be amazed, like the scholars in the synagogue were amazed when he was preaching “as one having authority and not as the scribes.”

It was a great description of scripture, and really made me want to learn more. I thanked him afterwards and told him as much. It made my day.

33 posted on 01/31/2021 7:37:30 PM PST by China Clipper ( Animals? I LOVE animals. See? There's one there, right next to the potatoes!)
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