Tag Archives: Fire and Brimstone

Don’t Be So Vague

Posted on March 27, 2021 by expressyourself4him

Carly Simon released You’re So Vain in November 1972. One year earlier, Simon won a Grammy for New Artist of the Year. Vain refers to having an excessively high opinion of one’s abilities, appearance, or worth. At age 70, Simon recently wrote memoirs entitled Boys in the Trees. This addresses the inspiration behind You’re So Vain, a song about a self-obsessed lover, based upon a mixture of three of the men in her life at that time, including actor Warren Beatty. Unfortunately, in today’s age of Cancel Culture and Political Correctness, vain has been replaced by vague.

Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is, Ephesians 5:17.

When honest opinions are expressed or shared on social media, anyone who is offended by these comments often trigger a fire storm. Back in the early 1970’s, preachers nationwide responded to the Sexual Revolution of the 1960’s with sermons filled with fire and brimstone. A half century later, individuals who left the church as teenagers are now part of the crowd condemning people of faith. If any Christian has the gall to state that marriage was designed as a lifelong commitment between a man or woman, a backlash will likely follow. Thus, many believers remain silent or keep their beliefs vague.

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit, Ephesians 5:18.

In the middle of the first century, the apostle Paul sends a warning to members of the Church at Ephesus. Vague is compared with foolish and thoughtless acts. Like the words of a former disciple of Jesus, Revelation 3:16, if you find yourself somewhere in between, God will eventually spit you out. One verse later, Paul provides advice for overcoming vagueness. As Christians start to pray for and pursue the Holy Spirit, vague comments will be replaced by a heart of conviction. Therefore, the next time you are afraid to voice what you believe, let the Holy Spirit rid your life of another vague answer.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Thunder and Lightning

Posted on January 5, 2019 by expressyourself4him

During one of my favorite seminary classes, Revival and Revivalism, the course began by studying the gradual spiritual decline in America.  According to several historians, 1799 was one of the darkest years for Christianity in the United States.  While the death of George Washington on December 14th didn’t help this matter, apathy, complacency and spiritual indifference spread throughout the East Coast.  This climate set the stage for thunder and lightning to appear in the form of the second Great Awakening.

“I love those that thunder out the Word… the Christian world is in a deep sleep.  Nothing but a loud voice can awaken them out of it,” George Whitefield -1739.

The second great awakening used some of the techniques successful in the first spiritual movement that began in 1730, lasting until 1743.  George Whitefield was one of the local preachers in Delaware, holding Tent Revivals in Pike Creek Valley and St. George’s which is now divided by the C&D canal.  Whitefield preached over 18,000 sermons to nearly ten million people, seeking to awaken the souls of American colonists who had strayed from God like prodigal children.

But when he [finally] came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough food, while I am dying here of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, Luke 15:17-18.

Whitefield felt the need to challenge individuals, using a thunderous approach to get the attention of those spiritually floundering.  Back in the early 1970’s, a similar tone was applied, known as Fire and Brimstone messages.  Unfortunately, this style turned many off to the gospel, leaving the church as a teenager, never to return again.  Instead of yelling at people to repent, Jesus recommended being salt and light to the unchurched, Matthew 5:13-16.  In today’s culture, earning the right to be heard by living out your faith is much more effective.  Thus, if you want to live long enough to experience a fourth great awakening, demonstrate the love of Jesus daily through random acts of kindness.  This should spark the interest of unbelievers and possibly ignite spiritual thunder and lightning.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Waking Up to a Whole New World

Posted on July 21, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Twenty years ago, adult, controversial and risque commercials appeared after dark, when most children were asleep.  The culture was much more conservative, careful not to corrupt the innocence of youth.  Unless you are living in denial, today everything is fair game, waking up to a whole new world.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us, Romans 5:8.

Social media is setting the pace daily, led by what’s trending on Twitter, followed by the latest eye catching video on Youtube.  Subsequently, a new generation lives by an entirely new set of standards, distant from the ethics of the Bible.  What once was wrong has become mainstream, normal to an accepting society, open to news ways of thinking.

If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them, James 4:17.

Caught in the middle, the church is forced to balance grace with truth.  Although kinder and gentler, its difficult for those raised in the Fire and Brimstone Era to get past obvious sins.  Thus, when a microphone is put in front of a pastor’s face or as the camera rolls, its hard not to portray these individuals as judgmental, void of the love of Christ.  Despite what Christians believe about abortion, homosexuality and divorce, its better to demonstrate faith rather than shoving your beliefs in someone’s face.  Waking up to a whole new world will require an emphasis on living examples of Jesus to reverse these trends and possibly inspire a revival throughout the land.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.