"I am verily persuaded, the generality of preachers talk of an unknown, unfelt Christ. And the reason why congregations have been so dead, is because dead men preach to them." -George Whitefield (1740-1770)
The above quote is one I found in my old
World History for Christian Schools textbook while studying for a sermon.
And what a quote it is! George Whitefield lived in a time that seems so long ago, yet the quote could have been said yesterday.
There was a need for true repentance and revival back then, and there is a need for it now. Now, we cannot say for sure that there are many lost people in the churches (and/or pulpits). These people may be backslidden children of God, or they may be the devil's people posing as church members. If the first church had a lost member (Judas), then why do we think it impossible today?
In a day that many play the numbers game, we find that many most certainly do preach an unknown, unfelt Christ. Arminianism and humanism has robbed churches of the power they ought to know. We see this especially now in this so-called "Christmas season." Sure, He is spoken of as a babe in a manger in many pulpits, but how often do you hear folks talk about His death, burial, and resurrection? How often have you heard that He is coming back again real soon? How often do preachers preach about the Lordship of Christ?
Something to think about....Let us pray for true revival in our churches!
"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me." (Psalm 138:7)
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