180 likes | 633 Views
The Social Gospel. Sinful Innovation of Man. The Gospel vs. The Social Gospel. The Gospel Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ , for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek .
E N D
The Social Gospel Sinful Innovation of Man
The Gospel vs. The Social Gospel • The Gospel • Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. • 1 Corinthians 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. • Ephesians 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; • John 17:17 …Thy word is truth.
The Gospel vs. The Social Gospel 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
The Gospel vs. The Social Gospel The gospel provides spiritual salvation, not physical. • Romans 6:16-23 2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Revelation 2:10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
The Gospel vs. The Social Gospel The gospel provides spiritual salvation, not physical. Mark 14:6-7 But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. 7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. Matthew 8:19-20 19 Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” 20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” cf. Matthew 16:24, Mark 10:17-22 Matthew 6:25-34, 1 Timothy 6:6-10
The Gospel vs. The Social Gospel • The Social Gospel • a movement among some U.S. Protestants beginning around 1870, seeking to eliminate poverty, ignorance, etc. by reforming society according to Christian principles • http://www.yourdictionary.com/social-gospel
The Gospel vs. The Social Gospel The Social Gospel, Stan Cox, Watchman Magazine, 7/1/2000 Churches of Christ began to be influenced by this thinking as well. The change in mindset was gradual, and many of the projects, though without scriptural authority, nevertheless had an altruistic appeal. Churches began establishing and overseeing human institutions such as Orphan Homes. Appeals were made to support Christian education from the treasury of the local church. Recreational activities and common meals became a normal “work” of the local church. Such a mindset has a strong hold on many congregations today. Those who were carried away in the institutional digression of the 1950’s have mostly embraced the “social gospel” philosophy as valid and appropriate.
The Gospel vs. The Social Gospel The Social Gospel, Stan Cox, Watchman Magazine, 7/1/2000 The evolution of such thinking can be seen easily today, as Churches of Christ run hospitals, host secular organizations and agendas which range from job training to weight loss to day care, and field softball teams and drama clubs. On July 14, 1990 a minister of the Midtown church of Christ in Ft. Worth, TX, Wyatt Sawyer, referred to the need for the church to work with “Christian families to provide Christian recreation for Christian young people.” He said, “We were working with families to take care of the needs of our young people socially to keep them out of the devil’s dens, and all that sort of thing.” (Dallas Meeting, panel discussion). This attitude, that the church has a responsibility to minister to the social needs of Christians, is a typical one in our time.
We must preach the Gospel. Mark 16:15-16 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
The gospel draws men to Christ. John 6:44-45 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The gospel attracts men to Christ – not carnal means. • Jesus did use food. • Compassion • Matthew 14:14-16 • Cf. Mark 6:34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. • Confirmation • Acts 2:22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— • He refused more food. • John 6:26-27
The gospel attracts men to Christ – not carnal means. Acts 17:1-3 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8 The gospel spread like wildfire and the church grew rapidly because the word was preached, not because of miraculous feedings or magic shows.
“What’s wrong with it?” What’s RIGHT with it? • 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. • What’s wrong with infant baptism? • What’s wrong with offering money?
“What’s wrong with it?” Philippians 3:17-19 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.
“What’s wrong with it?” Isaiah 55:8-9 8 “ For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. 9 “ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts