Itching Ears

Itching Ears

I have been so busy the last couple of weeks. Blogging has taken a back seat. “I’m back” lol.

I have had a note on my desk for several weeks that simply said. Itching ears. These words are in the KJV, and I use the NASB so it will sound a little different.

Here are the passages.

2 Timothy 4:1-4

1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:

2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,

4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

Now these scriptures for years have been used as something of a rebuke, for preachers who are accused of not preaching against all the sins of the world.

Let me remind you that what the Bibles says is sin, is sin.

These passages are not referring to people outside the church. They refer to those within. This is a rebuke to preachers who preach shallow, flesh driven messages that make their congregations feel good about themselves.

Preachers who beat up every sinner in the world, when for the most part, none of those folks are in hearing distance.

What has happened to challenging congregations with strong doctrine. Kingdom authority, passionate prayer, fully committing their lives to Christ and His purpose for their lives.

Teaching them to study and pray for revelation.

Too often what is heard are heart warming stories about the past, or dogs, or squirrels, or cracks in the sidewalk. Then you will hear about all the wicked sinners in the world, and how we need to thank God we are not that way anymore. I have heard it all.

Please don’t get me wrong. I love the church. If you read my blogs, facebook posts, or watch my sermons on youtube, you will find that to be true. I love the church.

We must remember who we were and the grace of God that changed our lives. We remember this for a specific purpose. It should cause us to have compassion for those who have not followed Christ.

Let me share verse 3 from 2 Timothy 4 from the Amplified Bible.

“For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold,”

As a Pastor I fully understand that there are all levels of commitment in every congregation. Every one is necessary to move a congregation forward in their community, and their relationship with Christ.

Some pray and give. That is their purpose. They are the foundation that we can build upon. Others want more than just a good sermon, they want to be challenged. Then there are those who have an intense desire to walk in Kingdom authority.

It may sound difficult to create a message that will reach every level within a church. With God’s grace that is exactly what I attempt to do every week.

I am not perfect by any means, yet I refuse to tell flesh driven stories with no challenge to do better.

How can we spend an hour each week jumping and shouting about who we are, when our world needs us on our faces, praying for God to use us to change our world.

We are the light of the world. Of course light cancels darkness. It will reveal who a person is, but it has a broader and really more important characteristic. It will reveal Jesus.

The Gospel is not up for different interpretations. The definition of the Gospel is very clear.

The Greek word used means, good news. Good news is defined as the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus.

It is His story that must be told. When Peter left the upper room the only sin he mentioned was unbelief in the Messiah. Throughout Acts this was shared over and over. Telling the prophecies of Jesus from the OT, and their personal relationship with Him.

When the jailer asked, what must I do to be saved. The response was believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you, and your house will be saved.

Why have we complicated the message so much?

Blessings and favor to you all, In His Name.

#lovewins #hopelives