Mooney Guns for "Secret" Meeting in Detroit?

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by tstew

Again, I go back to the idea that I am making a general statement here. I have never been a proponent of in-squabbling over the pulpit. However, I am also not of the opinion that the purpose of preaching is to always make everybody feel good and to leave good impressions. It just worries me that that is where we are headed.

I agree with you there, completely. Sin must always be preached against (true sin, not opinions ). Our society, including the Christian world, is getting much too tolerant of fornication, perversion, and not insisting that Christians live an honest and upright life. This must always be preached, and reproof will come into it when people begin living their lives in this way.

I think the 'itching ears' he refers to applies to people who no longer want to hear true sin preached against. "If my daughter wants to move in with her boyfriend, it's nobody's business." That type of attitude.

[tstew]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

I agree with you there, completely. Sin must always be preached against (true sin, not opinions ). Our society, including the Christian world, is getting much too tolerant of fornication, perversion, and not insisting that Christians live an honest and upright life. This must always be preached, and reproof will come into it when people begin living their lives in this way.

I think the 'itching ears' he refers to applies to people who no longer want to hear true sin preached against. "If my daughter wants to move in with her boyfriend, it's nobody's business." That type of attitude.

Again, I'm not sure if I should have responded in this particular thread; however, let me also say that I have a tremendous amount of respect for Bro. Mooney as well.
I'm just saying that I think we need to reexamine how we feel about preaching that we don't feel like is palatable. There are some pretty strong examples of things said in the Bible that may possibly rub people the wrong way.

We have Biblical examples of what the Apostles did when they felt false teachers came up among them. Paul singled them out by name.

1Timothy 1:18 – 20. This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered over to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.

In Titus 1, the duties of an elder include:
He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.