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II . INTRODUCTION: THE NEED TO RETURN TO THE ANCIENT PATHS

18th ANNIVERSARY SERIES: GOING BACK TO OUR ROOTS TO UNDERSTAND OUR PRESENT MINISTRY IN CHARTING OUR FUTURE COURSE I. LET’S BEGIN WITH OUR STORY

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II . INTRODUCTION: THE NEED TO RETURN TO THE ANCIENT PATHS

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  1. 18th ANNIVERSARY SERIES: GOING BACK TO OUR ROOTS TO UNDERSTAND OUR PRESENT MINISTRY IN CHARTING OUR FUTURE COURSE I. LET’S BEGIN WITH OUR STORY The rationale for our theme:Most of us here joined GLCC way after we left the previous church and, in all likelihood, don’t have a clear understanding of our history and of CCM’s as well.

  2. How important it is for us to be reminded of where we came from to understand where we are and where we are going and why. ~ It will also hopefully even better clarify why we are continually fighting for what we stand for 18 years now. The story of our church, Guiding Light Christian Church (GLCC), is closely tied to the story of the Communion of Christian Ministries (CCM).

  3. II. INTRODUCTION: THE NEED TO RETURN TO THE ANCIENT PATHS “Everywhere there is apathy. Nobody cares whether that which is preached is true or false. A sermon is a sermon whatever the subject; only, the shorter it is the better.” CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON How much the church needs men like him today!

  4. The church has imbibed the worldly philosophy of pragmatism, and we’re tasting the bitter results. What Is Pragmatism? Pragmatism is the notion that meaning or worth is determined by practical consequences. Pragmatism has roots in Darwinism and secular humanism.

  5. ~ It is inherently relativistic, rejecting the notion of absolute right and wrong, good and evil, truth and error. ~ Pragmatism ultimately defines truth as that which is useful, meaningful, and helpful. ~ Ideas that don’t seem workable or relevant are rejected as false. What’s wrong with pragmatism?

  6. WHEN PRAGMATISM IS USED TO MAKE JUDGMENTS ABOUT RIGHT AND WRONG, OR WHEN IT BECOMES A GUIDING PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE, THEOLOGY, AND MINISTRY, INEVITABLY IT CLASHES WITH SCRIPTURE. ~ Spiritual and biblical truth is not determined by testing what “works” and what doesn’t. ~ Cf. 1Cor 1:22, 23; 2:14

  7. ~ Cf. Matt 24:23, 24; 2Cor 4:3, 4 ~ Majority reaction is no test of validity (cf. Matt 7:13, 14), and prosperity is no measure of truthfulness (cf. Job 12:6). Nevertheless, an overpowering surge of ardent pragmatism has been sweeping through evangelicalism. ~ Traditional methodology – most notably preaching – is being discarded or downplayed in favor of newer means.

  8. THEOLOGY NOW TAKES A BACK SEAT TO METHODOLOGY. ~ Incredibly, many believe this is a positive trend, a major advance for the contemporary church. ~ Plainly declaring the truth of God’s Word is regarded as unsophisticated, offensive, and utterly ineffective.

  9. Ministering In An Age Of Itching Ears Unfortunately, the market-driven ministry philosophy appeals to the very worst mood of our age. ~ It caters to people whose first love is themselves and who care not for God – unless they can have Him without disrupting their selfish lifestyles. Paul foresaw such a time. ~ 2Tim 4:2-4

  10. Clearly there was no room in Paul’s philosophy of ministry for the give-people-what-they-want theory that is so prevalent today. ~ He commanded Timothy to preach the Word – faithfully, systematically, reprovingly, patiently – and let it confront the spirit of the age head-on.

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