Preaching the Truth
By Stovall Weems
Today the church is so focused on felt needs that many times we forget how crucial it is to focus on Jesus, the power of the cross and the simplicity of the Gospel. As leaders we need to constantly preach Jesus and Him crucified. Many of our needs would be met if we would just discover and know the person of Jesus. The other day I heard that a well known Christian leader said that he wasn’t sure that there was a literal Hell. (How can you read the Bible and come to that conclusion? There are so many scriptures on eternal punishment!) Let me assure you that the wrath of God is real and that there is a literal Hell and if you are a Pastor you had better make sure your church is aware of it. I am not talking about being a Hell-fire preacher, but I am talking about expounding on the big picture of why the cross and God’s beautiful saving grace are so necessary. And the consequences people face for not accepting God’s love.
bq. John 3:36 NKJV
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
This scripture (and many more like it) means what it says – if people don’t receive Christ they will spend an eternity in Hell, suffering the wrath of God. But, if a person repents and receives Christ, then that person is saved and is forgiven of all sins! That is right– all of their sins are totally forgiven – their past, present and future sins! (Heb 10:10-10:18; 1 John 1:7-2:2) If you know Jesus, you know forgiveness. We are saved by grace and grace alone (Eph 2:8).Wow- is the Gospel of Jesus Christ powerful or what?! God loves us so much He sent His only Son to die for us and pay the penalty for our sins, so we could spend eternity with God. God does not relate to us according to our performance, but according to Jesus’ performance (His perfect life). So get freed up in the grace of God and get passionate about the truth and reaching people for Christ. There is a real Heaven to gain and a real Hell to escape! And only Jesus saves!
Stovall
Comments
13 Responses to “Preaching the Truth”
Leave a Reply
-
Recent Comments
- Raj and Ruth, INDIA!: Great, Pastor Stovall! Thank you so much for the blog. Thank you for your regular blogs.We are...
- Lin Holyfield: I don’t, but I have a few friends that attend Celebration…they’v e shared a few CD...
- Jesse: Wow – great insight. Thank you. Enjoying your blog immensely. Jesse
- Tina: Great response doing these 2 things. Thank You
- Tina Kirby: Thanks Pastor Stovall, I’ve been praying for God to help me say and do the right things. I pray for...
- Alisa H.: Great info! Thanks Pastor, will help me with preparing for Hardee Sisterhood!
- Jill Dykstra: Ameeeeeeeeeen Amen Amen
Thank you Stovall.
I will always be an evangelist at heart, from my teenage days of preaching in bars, parks, street corners, etc. Winning souls is like payday in the kingdom of Jesus. Great message.
I believe that if pastors would adhere to the fundamental (apostlic doctrine)teachings of God’s word that many lives would be transformed. We seem to have gotten away from preaching Repentence, Baptism in the name of Jesus, and being filled with the Holy Ghost (or Holy Spirit). This is God’s plan of salavation. It’s ironic how we at times shun the very thing that could bring about real change.
Hi, I saw you the other night and your service preaching was on marriage. I totally could relate to all what you said how hurt and untrust on a spouse affacts in which direction your feelings start shifting for the better or worst, how ever I trust in the Lord that He will make it better. Well I would like to ask for prayer for my son Royce 17 we are going through a difficult time in his teenage life. And my husband not wanting to put up with it and I’m in the middle my son rebells against us and my husband wants me to choose. I don’t want to give up on either one of them. I have four more children what advise would you give me. My son felt to stay at his girlfriends’ for a month but her mother didn’t want him there any longer. So I took him in and my husband wasn’t to happy about it, but did it for me, although we layed new rules and is grounded till we see an improvement. Please pray for our family. Thanks and God Bless you.
“forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us”. Is this conditional? Forgive us AS WE FORGIVE THOSE. Does this mean if we do not forgive He can not forgive us?
Regina, Mark, Jimmy, and others-thank you so much for all of your encouraging comments. I really appreciate them.
Paulette-most of the diversity in our worship comes from a hip-hop blend along with a variety ethnic vibes/DJ flows in the music in different songs. I am so glad you and your husband are coming.
more answers
#1 Anyone engaged in a lifestyle of substance abuse and/ or drug/alcohol addiction is not putting God first. God loves them but until they go to the cross and get set free they will never experience God’s best. The grace of God teaches us that we should live soberly and righteously. (Titus 2:11-12)
more answers
#2 No one that has spoken at Celebration Church to my knowledge that has ever encouraged people to store food or anything like that because of the economy. Please do not do this. Regardless of the economy God will provide for His people and give them their “daily bread.” Yes- like all the people who tried to make Y2K some type of prophetic, spiritual issue for some strange reason, you will be probably be considered very strange. Do what the Bible says- don’t worry and know that your father loves you and knows how to take care of you and provide for you. (Matt 6:25-34)
Pastor, I don’t really know how to begin this. My husband and I both attend Celebration and have been attending for 2 years. My husband has battled with drug and alcohol addiction for many years. He recently decided he wanted to “get his life right” however still smokes pot and drinks. My husbands point is since he only smokes and drinks at the house and no longer goes out to bars and goes to church on Sundays with me, he’s getting his life right with God. He also states “everything in moderation is ok”. Since you have been preaching on the God first life, his activities have been SO heavy on my heart. How can someone truly live a God first life yet still engage in this? I’m not trying to be judgmental, but I’m confused. I’ve always felt that drugs and alcohol do not reflect a Christian lifestyle, am I wrong to believe that? I feel so frustrated and I know I cant be the only one feeling this way and questioning what’s right and what’s not.
Stoval, thank you for continually digging into the scriptures to reveal the Truth of God’s word. You are an inspiration to me to live a God First Life. I am praying for God to sustane you in your faith to the cause of Christ.
Answer to question from anonymous:
There is a big difference between struggling with sexual purity and open defiance to the Word of God. Someone who has accepted homosexuality, adultery, or any other sexual sin as approved by God is someone that has rejected the Bible as God’s Word. If someone knows Jesus and is struggling with a serious sin issue you usually see that even when their feelings or lifestyle do not line up with God’s Word, they are seeking to get free, are repentant, or at least are honest that they are in some type of bondage that they know is wrong. They do not seek to justify it. While we can’t judge hearts we can discern fruit. Remember (I personally know several people) that so many people have been set free by Jesus from all types of sexual sin, including homosexuality. They are now attracted to the opposite sex because they were changed by the love of God. God loves all of us and wants the best for us. Nothing is impossible for Him!
Pastor Weems,
Aside from attending Celebration Church, I watch and listen to many messengers of the gospel for insite and wisdom, many of whom have been guest speakers at Celebration and have “prophetic ministries”. Many of them are speaking with an added sense of urgency. I liken it to Noah hastening his family to get on the boat or the angels who advised Lot to gather his family and get out of Dodge.I am hearing many of these same messengers speak of getting out of debt(Proverbs), storing food for family and neighbors ahead of a coming economic famine(Genesis-Joseph. In your recent message, The 4 Stages of Change, you noted that the problem is obedience and trust. So, if I sell my house and get totally our of debt and then store food for family and friends; am I being obedient and trusting or just a fanatic nut-job?
“Many of our needs would be met if we would just discover and KNOW the person of Jesus.”
So true. Drop all of the religion games and know Jesus and your life WILL change.
Thanks for being so real! We are so honored to have such truth and relevance in the pulpits at Celebration Church! God bless you!!!!
Pastor, I’d like to ask you to expand or break down righteousness (right standing with God) a little deeper. As an example I have friends who struggle with sexual purity and I recently witnessed to someone who says he believes in God but lives a homosexual lifestyle. He believes he is accepted this way and is on his way to heaven. He said his Church is led by a homosexual pastor and the congregation is 90% homosexual. I know God loves the sinner but hates the sin. Is the bible clear about choosing to sin because you believe your sins are forgiven? I don’t want to see him go to hell but my heart tells me that he can’t know Christ if he can choose to sin like this. I don’t want to misinterpret the scriptures on this issue. Thanks!