It was a help to be in the house of the Lord this week at Good Shepherd. The Spirit was moving before the first note was even hit. We’ve been thinking on that good trip down to North Carolina, seeing Brother Barton and hearing Brother Ricky Lee turn the house upside down with the glory of God. There’s just something about that old-fashioned preaching that puts a glow on the church!
But even in the midst of such blessings, the Lord laid a heavy word on “The Sacred Desk” regarding how we treat one another. We live in a day where folks walk around with their feelings right on their shoulder, just daring you to knock them off.
1. The Reality of an Offended Heart
Our text in Proverbs 18:19 tells us, “A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.” When someone gets their “spiritual back snagged,” they lock themselves away. They start looking down at the hymnbook to see how many songs are left instead of keeping their head up.
In the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary, Offended means displeased; angry; provoked. When a person is in that state, they become like a fortress. It is a miserable lot to walk around hurt all the time. We must safeguard against this—not for our own sakes, but for the church’s sake. The church is the body of Christ, and we ought to work together harmoniously, just like your left hand helps your right.
2. No Apology for the Word of God
Now, if I say something out of turn and hurt you, I’ll be the first to apologize. I’ll bring it up and try to make it right. But if you’re offended by what the Bible says, I owe you no apology.
If someone’s offended because of what the Bible says, I owe you no apology. I will not apologize for the word of God. Won’t do it. Won’t apologize for preaching it.
We are commanded in 2 Timothy 4:2: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” The old black book doesn’t need a facelift. It doesn’t need to be read off a stinking tablet or a big screen. We need to stay on the old paths, sitting on these pews, and eating the Word until it becomes the joy and rejoicing of our hearts.
3. The High Cost of “Laying Out”
It grieves me to see folks walk out on their church family over a little something that hurt their feelings. You wouldn’t walk out on your mother or daddy like that, so why do it to your eternal family? Some people “lay out” of church until they cool down, but that’s a dangerous game to play with God.
I’ve seen contentions in every church I’ve been in since I got saved in ’73. People start picking, and then they leave. To be honest with you, I don’t think a person with the Holy Ghost living in them can do that so easily. When you love the Lord, you’ll love His house. You’ll want to see it grow and glow!
I think a whole church can be used of God. I do. Don’t just have to be a chosen few. The whole entire church can be used of God. The entire body.
Let’s not be like that low-down society trying to turn the church into a drive-in movie where you sit in your pajamas. Let’s be a people who fall in love with Jesus, treat Him like we love Him, and keep our hearts tender toward one another.