Irrelevant By Reason of Age

For a number of years now there has been a move in the Christian world to promote local churches with the claim that they offer “relevant” preaching. The hook is that traditional preaching, and by way of implication, traditional values are irrelevant in the modern world.

I’ve reached a point in my Christian experience where the majority of my natural life has been spent as part of the church. I have heard sermons preached that were not well thought out. I have heard sermons that were lacking in substance;and some poorly delivered. To the best of my knowledge,I have never heard one that was irrelevant. In fact,the vast majority hit my spirit with deadly accuracy. My own secret thoughts hatched alone in the dark and malicious intent brewed in the heat of anger have routinely found their way into pastoral exhortations.

What could be more relevant than the personal guidance of the Holy Spirit addressed in the context of the word of God directed straight to my heart? I admit it; I didn’t become a Christian because I thought my sins were hidden. I became one because I was convinced my sins were clear in the sight of God. He knew. But,that was not the power of the sermon I heard. The point was now I knew. Through preaching I got a look at my sins and was told God offered forgiveness in place of the judgment of which I was worthy.

There is nothing relevant in all the world but that. A God’s eye view into our hearts will do more to resolve the issues of life than any balm applied to the surface. The word of God lives. It can undo the spin we put on our modern lives. Perhaps, that is the objection. Could it be, for all our gadgets, we are not so different from the original model? God knows.

“ For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”