The Church of the Marketplace I

I. Introduction: The free market principles are a cornerstone of American society. In order to be successful businesses must find what people want and deliver it to them at a profit. Many churches have followed this trend—offering what the public wants in order to build up their attendance. The temptation to please men has always been a danger for the church.

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 6:11-19

II. Desire for respectability and popularity

A. We all want to be liked and respected

B. It is a part of our social nature However, many will sacrifice their convictions and do things that are shameful in order to fit in with others. Acceptance becomes more important than principles.

C. The church is also at risk for there are change agents who want to alter the worship and biblical teachings to gain respectability

D. Some do not want the worship to look backward or old-fashioned Some do not want to be embarrassed by “narrow” teaching They want to fit in with the broader religious world not make waves.

III. Respectability in the religious world should never be the church’s goal

A. The church must not seek respectability in the religious world by forsaking convictions or modifying doctrines to be palatable to world.

B. Our society is filled with immorality, selfishness, and religious division; yet what should be our stance? Many say that we should not take a strong stance on scriptural issues that divide the religious world or problems that permeate our society.

C. Many theologians say that the church must change its teaching if it is to be relevant and wants to grow.

D. Since homosexuality is becoming more accepted by society and some religious groups, shall we cease to preach God’s word condemning this abhorrent immoral behavior? Since so many people are involved in promiscuous behavior, shall we cease to preach God’s word against fornication and His command that the marriage bed be undefiled? Since so many people including those who claim to be Christians get drunk shall we cease to teach sober mindedness and God’s condemnation of drunkenness, revelries, and drinking parties? Recent polls show that a majority of people think it is ok to lie in certain circumstances. Shall we quit teaching “all liars have their place in hell? Since a large majority of people in the religious world do not believe in hell, should the pulpit be silent in its warnings of this horrible place? Since we live in a selfish materialistic society, must we quit preaching against covetousness and the vanity of the possessions of this world? Religious people have changed the church’s mission and worship to appeal to the world; shall we cease to oppose this and insist on book, chapter, and verse for practices in work and worship? The religious world is fragmented and the modern ecumenical movement is content with denominationalism. Shall we cease to deplore division and implore people to unite on God’s word alone or shall we find ourselves a place alongside the denominations and quit saying that this or that practice is wrong so that people in the community will not think us narrow minded, Pharisaical, legalists, or obstinate?

E. Since almost half of all marriages end in divorce shall we cease to preach God’s marriage law established in the Garden of Eden—before Moses’ law and the law of Christ—and Jesus’ only provision for divorce?

F. Jesus’ teaching was so strict that the apostles concluded that “if this is the case, it is better not to marry.” Many denominational groups have so modified their teaching on divorce and remarriage to fit society that, if their new positions were true, the apostles would not think Jesus too restrictive at all.

G. As Christians, we sometimes feel awkward and embarrassed to teach the simple gospel but the problem is not with the gospel but with a religious world that has departed from God’s revealed authority and a society that has left Him all together

H. The world has the problem, not faithful Christians. The world should feel awkward and embarrassed for its immorality and departure from God’s divine will.

I. I am tired of so many who claim to be Christians who teach that the church must change with the times and adjust its doctrine to fit the spirit of the age.

J. Why do these theologians never say “the world must change?” or that men must change their lives to conform to the gospel?” God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways higher than our ways; shall we presume to modify the will of the eternal unchangeable God to the ever-changing whims of a fickle society? Times have changed; God’s word has not changed—it transcends time. God’s word is the timeless standard by which we will be measured and judged not clay that we can mold and shape into our image and to justify our behavior and morality. Romans 12:2 – be transformed do not conform

K. The majority of the world, secular and religious, will not be content to abide in God’s word—it has been that way since Adam and Eve’s sin; therefore, we must “seek the old paths where the good way is and walk in it and find rest for our souls.”

L. Romans 1:16-18a – Not ashamed, the gospel reveals good and wrath Don’t be ashamed of the strictness of God’s laws; they raise men to a higher level and bring them up from the filth of the world. Don’t be embarrassed about asking for Bible authority for the work and worship of the church for God knows what He wants and our goal is to please Him, not man.

IV. Church of the Marketplace I