Post by pitbull on Dec 14, 2005 8:39:42 GMT -5
HOW CAN YOU REACH LOST YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE "OLD" HYMNS?
I am not saying that you should. And I am not trying to "reach" them with the "old" hymns. And even if I could — it would do absolutely no good! As much as I thank God for the "old" hymns; and as much as I enjoy the "old" hymns — they can not save anyone! And neither can CCM or any music!
The only way out of hell is by the "blood of Jesus Christ".
• "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6
And God's method of reaching young people (or any person) with the Lord Jesus Christ is through the preaching of the word of God — not music.
• "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." 1 Corinthians 1:21
The idea that the way to reach young people is with rock music is ridiculous! I know many churches that take a clear stand against Christian rock music and yet they have a wonderful, exciting, growing ministry to young people. They have young people that love the Lord Jesus Christ; that still love music and sing solo and with groups in the church; that consistently, on their own, witness and lead other young people to the Lord Jesus Christ; that preach on the streets; that take a bold stand against the world, the flesh and the devil; that "talk the talk and walk the walk"; that live separated lives and do not want to look and act like the world; that believe the greatest privilege in the world is serving and living for Jesus Christ.
The pastors do not continually preach against rock music, nor spiritually "beat-them-up" against Christian or secular rock — but they have Biblically taught and preached against it — and what's more important — they provide BETTER alternatives. Most have a tremendous music program for their young people. They do not "camouflage" the message of Jesus Christ in a "hip-hop-partying-cool-tolerant" wrapping. The pastors "tell it like it is" and train young men and women to be fellow-soldiers for the Lord Jesus Christ. Young men are consistently called to preach under their ministries. A lot of the young people surrender for full-time Christian service and many go to the mission field. And it's all done without one Christian Rock song!
Here's just a few churches that have a wonderful youth program without CCM or Christian Rock music. Some of these churches — one-third of their congregation is teenagers!
• New Manna Baptist Church, Marion, NC - Danny Castle, Pastor
• Gloryland Baptist Church. Forestdale, AL - Charles Andrews, Pastor
• Charity Baptist Church - Pensacola, Fl - Jim McGaughey, Pastor
• Victory Baptist Church - Sylacauga, AL - Jerry Pilkington, Pastor
• Rice Baptist Church - New Market, AL - Lamar Chenault, Pastor
• Faith Baptist Church, Cropwell, AL - David Wood, Pastor
And how do they do it? Simple. They preach and lift up the Lord Jesus Christ! Try it! It works! The same way Moody, Torrey, Sunday, Wesley, Whitfield, et al. brought real revival — preaching the Word of God! God does not need rock music, or any gimmick, or "sugar-coated-wrappings" to make the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ appealing. Tell it like it is — that'll do the job!
• “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
• “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:” 1 Cor. 2:4
• “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” 1 Cor. 2:1-2
Brother Lester Roloff used to say, "When the preaching of the Word of God won't reach them — you do not want them!"
In other words, you'll do more harm than good trying to "trick and deceive" them in order to reach them.
I am not saying that you should. And I am not trying to "reach" them with the "old" hymns. And even if I could — it would do absolutely no good! As much as I thank God for the "old" hymns; and as much as I enjoy the "old" hymns — they can not save anyone! And neither can CCM or any music!
The only way out of hell is by the "blood of Jesus Christ".
• "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6
And God's method of reaching young people (or any person) with the Lord Jesus Christ is through the preaching of the word of God — not music.
• "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." 1 Corinthians 1:21
The idea that the way to reach young people is with rock music is ridiculous! I know many churches that take a clear stand against Christian rock music and yet they have a wonderful, exciting, growing ministry to young people. They have young people that love the Lord Jesus Christ; that still love music and sing solo and with groups in the church; that consistently, on their own, witness and lead other young people to the Lord Jesus Christ; that preach on the streets; that take a bold stand against the world, the flesh and the devil; that "talk the talk and walk the walk"; that live separated lives and do not want to look and act like the world; that believe the greatest privilege in the world is serving and living for Jesus Christ.
The pastors do not continually preach against rock music, nor spiritually "beat-them-up" against Christian or secular rock — but they have Biblically taught and preached against it — and what's more important — they provide BETTER alternatives. Most have a tremendous music program for their young people. They do not "camouflage" the message of Jesus Christ in a "hip-hop-partying-cool-tolerant" wrapping. The pastors "tell it like it is" and train young men and women to be fellow-soldiers for the Lord Jesus Christ. Young men are consistently called to preach under their ministries. A lot of the young people surrender for full-time Christian service and many go to the mission field. And it's all done without one Christian Rock song!
Here's just a few churches that have a wonderful youth program without CCM or Christian Rock music. Some of these churches — one-third of their congregation is teenagers!
• New Manna Baptist Church, Marion, NC - Danny Castle, Pastor
• Gloryland Baptist Church. Forestdale, AL - Charles Andrews, Pastor
• Charity Baptist Church - Pensacola, Fl - Jim McGaughey, Pastor
• Victory Baptist Church - Sylacauga, AL - Jerry Pilkington, Pastor
• Rice Baptist Church - New Market, AL - Lamar Chenault, Pastor
• Faith Baptist Church, Cropwell, AL - David Wood, Pastor
And how do they do it? Simple. They preach and lift up the Lord Jesus Christ! Try it! It works! The same way Moody, Torrey, Sunday, Wesley, Whitfield, et al. brought real revival — preaching the Word of God! God does not need rock music, or any gimmick, or "sugar-coated-wrappings" to make the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ appealing. Tell it like it is — that'll do the job!
• “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
• “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:” 1 Cor. 2:4
• “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” 1 Cor. 2:1-2
Brother Lester Roloff used to say, "When the preaching of the Word of God won't reach them — you do not want them!"
In other words, you'll do more harm than good trying to "trick and deceive" them in order to reach them.