Leaving Beyond – Grounded In Scripture

Cowardly men enter the pulpit weekly, preaching powerless messages that sound evangelistic and loving and often have impressive results. Yet the evidence of power is measured by how many respond or by “experiences” and “manifestations.” Many pulpits are aflame with counterfeit power, and many churches are filled with false converts.

“I would rather be a faithful man in the pulpit and see few saved than a popular man and see many perish.” ~ Charles Spurgeon

“True preaching is always a manifestation of Christ, not of man; it convicts and converts, not entertains.” ~ John Owen

False Knowledge, False Christ

Men stand in the pulpit without trembling. They neither know God as they claim, nor do they preach Christ as He commands. They preach a Holy Spirit but not the Holy Spirit. They preach a gospel but not the Gospel. They preach a Christ but not Christ.

If asked to explain even the fundamentals of the faith, they stumble. If they attempt to explain the Trinity, they often lapse into Modalism. If they attempt to explain the Hypostatic Union, they drift into heresy.

“If the preacher cannot give an account of the truth, let him never again stand in the pulpit.” ~ Jonathan Edwards

“Our ministry is to declare the whole counsel of God faithfully, whether men are pleased or offended.” ~ John MacArthur

Shallow Exegesis and Misapplied Texts

They have not been taught the Word and do not know how to exegete Scripture. They know terminology but have never wrestled with a text to behold the glory of Christ. Their beliefs about who God have not come from a correct handling of Scripture or from men who have taught them and handled the text accurately, but from false teachers and Biblically illiterate and unqualified men. Their teaching is shallow because they have never learned or been trained in the proper handling of Scripture. They are defensive when they feel challenged by someone who asks about why their teaching doesn’t align with Scripture.

They may affirm correct fundamentals and have a passable Statement of Faith, but when pressed to explain it, they falter.

“A preacher who cannot explain the Scripture to the simplest heart has no right to preach at all.” ~ Martin Luther

“The duty of ministers is to handle the Word of God diligently, accurately, and without distortion.” ~ R.C. Sproul

The Powerless Gospel

They may present a basic Gospel that leads to some true conversions. Yet, these conversions occur in spite of their preaching, not because of their fidelity to Scripture. In time, the sheep will starve under such shallow messages.

The focus in these churches is not Christ or the Gospel, but the byproducts of faith: experiences, manifestations, and numbers. Real growth is stunted, the people are Biblically illiterate, and the sheep are starving.

The Gospel is not just for the lost but for the saints. The pulpit that fails to exposit Scripture fails to see how Scripture continually points to Christ and the Gospel, whereby the saint is encouraged to live godly in Christ Jesus and the lost are called to repentance and faith.

“We must preach Christ crucified, not a Christ who merely improves lives.” – Charles Spurgeon

“The Word rightly preached will either save or condemn; nothing else.” – John Calvin

Superficial Experiences vs True Transformation

Many will grow up in church yet never truly grow in Christ. They will have experiences but never encounter true regeneration and sanctification. Isolated verses are twisted to meet felt needs, while the true Gospel is neglected.

They may evangelize inoffensively, creating false converts. They invite others to church, offering a gospel tailored to human desire—powerless to save.

“Better one soul broken under the truth than a thousand entertained by lies.” – Jonathan Edwards

“Regeneration is God’s work, wrought by His Spirit through faithful preaching of His Word.” – John Owen

Scripture Twisted to Suit Desire

Every verse becomes personalized, every promise a demand on God. Christ is preached, but not known. True peace in Christ is absent. People seek experiences rather than Him, believing Scripture and the Gospel insufficient.

“When men twist the Word to please the ears of men, Christ is crucified anew in their hearts.” – Charles Spurgeon

“Let Scripture speak for itself; let it not be shaped by human appetite.” – John MacArthur

Responsibility of the Flock

We are accountable not only for our own hearts but for what we sit under. We either desire truth or desire comfort disguised as truth. We must test what is taught, not by feelings, experiences, or growth, but by Scripture itself.

“Test all things, hold fast that which is good, and avoid men-pleasing preachers.” – John Calvin

“The Berean example shows that Scripture, not sensation, must judge all teaching.” – R.C. Sproul

Grace and Peace, y’all.

Soli Deo Gloria

April J. Buchanan