Why Preach the Gospel (When Most People Don’t Want to Hear It)? - David Palmer

                                    

It’s a challenge, but one well worth the effort.

This article was written by David Palmer, who currently pastors congregations in Vancouver, and Vancouver Island. He is also a member of the UCG-Canada National Council, and serves on the Canadian Ministerial Services Team, as well as the Canadian Media Team. Read the article below...

Why is it that if an individual who believes in the teachings of the Bible speaks out about the tenets of his or her faith, he or she is often castigated as being a “bigot” or a “hatemonger”?

Our society cries out about shootings, home invasions, gang crimes and corruption at high levels of government and business, yet is not willing to listen when we remind them that this land has literally turned its back on God.

Has society forgotten that this country was founded on basic biblical principles? In society’s mad dash for freedom from any sort of moral restraint, the tide of “anything goes” promiscuity is sweeping America into chaos.

Following the tragic school shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado and the copycat incident in Lethbridge, Canada, there was an email floating around that contained the following imaginary prayer: “Dear God, why didn’t you save the little girl killed in her classroom? Sincerely, Concerned Student.” The reply given was, “Dear Concerned Student, I am not allowed in your schools. Sincerely, God.”

Our country has become secularized to the point where political correctness has replaced the Ten Commandments.

Well-known radio commentator Paul Harvey once made the statement, “I don’t agree with Darwin, but I didn’t go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his theory of evolution.”

The Bible tells us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying! Our country has become secularized to the point where political correctness has replaced the Ten Commandments.

So why do we preach the gospel? Because even though society doesn’t recognize it, God’s truth is a message we all need. While very few will accept biblical truth in this day and age, our mission is to preach that truth regardless of how many individuals will respond.

The United Church of God (UCG) accepts the responsibility given to believers by Jesus Christ almost 2,000 years ago (Matthew 28:19-20) and reemphasized by the apostle Paul, who wrote, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor” (1 Corinthians 3:6-8).

Preaching the gospel to a society that doesn’t want to hear is not an easy task, but it is our collective responsibility.

Preaching the gospel to a society that doesn’t want to hear is not an easy task, but it is our collective responsibility. “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9).

And so, with the prayers and support of those who desire to see God’s Kingdom on this earth and with God’s blessing, UCG will continue to reach out through the doors God opens, whether by television, magazines, internet campaigns, or personal evangelism, in order to preach the gospel and prepare a people.