n earlier posts I have mentioned Joel Osteen (here and here) and how he does not, at all, even come close to holding to anything that could even be remotely confused with the teaching of sound doctrine. Joel's motivational uplifting self-esteem filled messages resemble Oprah, Dr. Phil & Tony Robbins instead of the Apostles Paul and Peter. His teaching is completely and totally void of any biblical truths to the point of being flat out heretical. This idea of the Purpose Driven Church is market and fad driven, and there are many in the spot light who point to the size of their Churches as proof that they are doing God's work. How on earth could this be an accurate way to determine if God is leading them when Jesus Himself said that many will travel the broad road of destruction but few will enter by the narrow gate which leads to life (Matt 7:13-14). Are we to look at the success of the various cults and think that God has put His blessing on them? The fact of the matter is that a true Calvinist (which would actually be a biblicist...is that even a word?) cannot look at Church growth as a gauge of God's approval because Scripture is crystal clear...God is sovereign.

Rick Warren arrogantly and wrongly says that given enough time he can make anyone believe in God, but since Scripture, time and time again, reaffirms the fact that we are "called", and clearly states that we did not choose the Lord, but He has chosen us (John 15:16), it is then apparent that the Church grows not by the will and craftiness of man but by supernatural means, more specifically, by the will and election of God, which means that the number of those that will be saved will not fall short by even one soul. Acts 2:39 shows us how God will build His Church through divine selection.

"For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself."

Over the next 3 blogs we will look at the various biblical elements of true Church growth...

-They spoke the Word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31)

Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

The living and enduring Word of God is the instrument by which God causes a sinner to be born again (1 Pet 1:23), that is why it is paramount that it, and it alone, is preached.

Romans 10:14
How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?

Peter knew this to be true and that is why he preached from the Word of God at Pentecost. In chapter 2 of Acts Peter read from the Scriptures and then expounded on what those truths meant. Today's Church of the tares claims that the Bible is outdated and archaic, even sometimes going as far as to say it is human in origin, and that it is no longer relevant to today's world and problems. They set it aside so as to teach human wisdom from books not inspired by the Holy Spirit. This produces a so-called believer without roots, whose faith has no foundation and will eventually die off because the Scriptures are evident that Christ is the Chief Cornerstone of true faith and the Apostles and Prophets laid the foundation upon which we are to build our faith. If a Pastor fails to bring sound, healthy doctrine, make no mistake, he can never build anyone up in the faith, no matter how "moral" the person may seem externally (Matt 13:3-9, 18-23; Matt 21:18-19; cf. 1 Cor 3:10-11; Eph 2:19-21) since that person lacks a foundation. They cannot then be built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood so as to be acceptable to God (1 Pet 2:5). After Peter delivered the Word of God accompanied with exegetical teaching, we see the effect that God brings about within the heart of sinful man.

Acts 2:37-38
"Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Brethren, what shall we do?' Peter said to them, 'Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"

Notice how this ties perfectly into what the writer of Hebrews said? The Word of God pierces the heart and convicts the soul, and that is why strictly teaching the Word is such a necessary part of Church. Also take note of what Peter says to them when they inquire of him what they should do...Peter doesn't pull a Joel Osteen and tell them to hold their heads up high, that God loves them no matter what and that they should be proud of themselves because they are from royal stock, Peter tells them to repent. As I mentioned in my last post, the people who are citizens of heaven are those who realize their spiritual bankruptcy and look to Christ alone to save them. Contrary to what Rick Warren claims in "The Purpose Driven Life," saying some quick little prayer will not save you, neither will raising your hand at some alter call. Turning from your sin and calling out to Christ as your Savior and submitting to Him as Lord is the one and only thing that leads to Salvation (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; Matt 7:21-27; Luke 4:46-49). Instead of giving them some felt needs message, Peter went on exhorting these men toward repentance (vs. 40) and God used that to grow His Church (vs. 41). Continue down Acts 2 and you will see that "they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (vs. 42) which lead to "the Lord...adding to their number day by day those who were being saved" (vs. 47). The Apostles had a total disdain for any sort of contextualization (they were not at all in the least bit concerned with fads, trends or styles relating to clothes or music) but the message transcended across all social barriers, whether it was age, racial or cultural...it is written that "they had all things in common" (Acts 2:44) and "were of one heart and soul" (Acts 4:32). It is so important to remember at this time in the first century people were totally divided by their cultures (so much more so than now), the Jews had nothing to do with the Greeks...knowing this should help us deeply appreciate the supreme power that God's Word has to break down such long standing boundaries and to unite us as one in Christ (Phil 2:2; 1 Cor 12:12-13; Gal 3:27-28). That is why it is so sad when one of the first questions or comments I always hear young people say about Church is whether the music is modern or not. Church is not about you being entertained with the latest style of music but about coming before the Lord in worship. When I first started attending Church, the style of music I enjoyed was drastically different from the old hymns we sung during the gathering of the assembly, but I loved them regardless because they were rich with theological truth which glorifed God. Those old hymns are packed with truth from Scripture so as to teach even during the musical part of the service. Everything in a Church service should be pointing to Christ and to His Word.

This is exactly why Churches should not be teaching or preaching from anything other than the Word of God. It is dangerous and rebellious to appeal to anything innate to people’s falleness (is that a word?). The message that is preached must be alien, it must be divine, it must be God's very mouth and mind...nothing else brings eternal life.