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IS THERE A SOCIAL GOSPEL?

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What is the Social Gospel?

Social Gospel

 

By KenBlue

Definition: “Social gospel. 1 : the application of Christian principles to social problems.  2  a movement in American Protestant Christianity especially in the first part of the 20th century to bring the social order into conformity with Christian principles.” Merriam-Webster’s 11th. Collegiate Dictionary.

The first thing I noticed in the above definition is, that the gospel is nowhere mentioned. In fact, I do not believe there is any such thing as a “social” gospel. If there is, I don’t know what it is. As far as I am concerned, there is only one gospel. It is clearly defined in I Cor. 15 and defended in the book of Galatians. The gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ died, was buried and rose again the third day for sinners. This salvation is for anyone who will accept it by faith. This is the only true gospel, and all other gospels are not the gospel at all.

Now, what of the definition given for the social gospel? It appears that some churches are working to get society to accept Christian principles. I noticed that on the Courthouse lawns there are monuments with the Ten Commandments on them. Should these commandments be allowed or removed? Do we want unsaved people to learn Bible principles about life before they are saved? Many would say “no.”

Should a church get involved when a national disaster strikes? Should they feed and clothe the naked and the hungry? Should we withhold the soup until they profess Christ as Savior, or are we allowed to give a bowl of soup in hopes that we can get the gospel to them? What about skid row mission work, orphanages, and helping the sick? Do we have a responsibility to help these, even if they aren’t saved?

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ died, was buried and rose again the third day for sinners.[/pullquote]

What about your neighbor, would you help him repair his fence in hope you could witness to him? Would you get his car or animal out of the ditch if he was not saved?

I am fully aware that the number one goal is to get people saved. Is it unscriptural and anti-scriptural to use these avenues to get the gospel to the lost? I don’t think so.

There is no social gospel. There are social programs that any church could get involved in, in order to better their community and get the gospel to a lost world. For example, Open Door Baptist Church used the public school system to get thousands of invitations to the community. Who would fault them for doing that?

Don’t be afraid to get involved in community activities if it will better your community, help people, and open doors for witnessing. Remember, there is no social gospel.

If you can give a clear Scriptural definition of a social gospel, please do so.

 

HOW TO GET PEOPLE TO THE “ALTAR.”

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THE ALTAR OR LETTING GOD “ALTER” YOU.

By Ken Blue

A police officer, who was a member of our church, told the following story. He said, when he pulled someone over, or was called to a domestic disturbance, many times it was necessary to arrest someone or write a ticket. The guilty would weep, and plead, and promise not to do it again. However, before the week was over he was arresting them again. He assured me that these people were serious, and meant it when making their promises; they simply lacked the character and commitment to follow their promise.

Some Christians are like that. They make promises to God at the “altar,” which they forget before the next invitation. They mean it when they say it, but the commitment is not life changing. If we spent more time in private prayer, we might not feel compelled to go to the “altar” quite so often.

There are many ways to get people to the altar, if that is your objective. Usually this can be done through a series of questions. 1. How many of you feel your need to read more Scripture? 2. How many of you need to pray more? 3. How many feel your need to love the Lord more? 4. How many of you need to witness more? 5. How many feel your need to love your husband or wife more? 6. How many of you want the power of God in your life? 7. How many of you want God to use you? I know I do.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]If we spent more time in private prayer, we might not feel compelled to go to the “altar” quite so often.[/pullquote]

As you can see, the questions are unlimited, and every believer will answer yes. The problem is, none of us will ever arrive at a place where there isn’t a need to say yes to these questions. Thus we keep running to the altar at every invitation.

Why not settle these questions in your private prayer time as you read the Bible, and develop from the inside out? If you are serious, you ought to get it settled. If you aren’t, no amount of trips to the “altar” will; and you’ll be getting another notice before the week is over.

This does not mean that churches should not give people an opportunity to respond to the sermon. It means your questions should not be a form of manipulation to see how many you can get to respond to you. People grow from the inside out. It is not the “altar” you need. You need to let God “alter” you.

CHECK OUT AUDIO SERMONS AND SONGS

TRAINING MEN FOR THE MINISTRY

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WHERE MEN FOR THE MINISTRY COME FROM

By Ken Blue
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2.

 God has blessed Open Door Baptist Church over the years by calling young men from the membership into the ministry. Most of the men in the above picture were saved, trained, and ordained at Open Door. God continues to do this under the leadership of Pastor Jason Murphy. In addition, some of these pastors are training and sending others out to serve the Lord in the ministry. God’s plan is that the process continues.

Brother Tim Shanks and Ken Stewart are also from Open Door. Pastor Shanks has trained and ordained three men who are now in the ministry. Brother Stewart has taken the leadership of God’s Word Baptist Church and Pastor Shanks has been called to replace Pastor Ken Bates in Corona, CA.

Our job as pastors is to reach the lost, train them for ministry, and help them get established in serving Christ. God’s grace had been poured out abundantly on Open Door, and we praise Him for these and many others who are serving Him.

THE ALIAS

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HOW TO DEAL WITH ALIAS, ANNONYMOUS CRITICS

alias

By Ken Blue

The American Heritage Dictionary defines alias as; “1. An assumed name: The swindler worked under various aliases.”

During my forty years of pastoring, I have received many letters and notes sent by mysterious souls who refused to attach their names, or they used names of others to hide their identity. My advice to pastors is that they have their secretary screen their mail. If it is of the above nature, have it diverted to the garbage can.

One individual did everything within his power to destroy my family and ministry. The membership list was stolen and letters were sent to them with an alias attached. The nature of all letters was to turn the members against me. He was arrested for stealing thousands of dollars from the church offerings. People who use aliases are usually hiding more than their name.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”People who are ashamed to put their name to their comments, ought to be ashamed to make them.”[/perfectpullquote]

In most cases, I put the alias in the same category with the terrorist. These men and women hide under the cover of darkness while attacking others. Usually, they are self-righteous and hiding something in their own life.

Occasionally, you may receive letters or emails with the only identity; bible believer. Those who use this alias are neither Bible believers nor Bible doers.

You cannot stop the anonymous critics, however, you can refuse to read their dribble, and send it to the trash bin. People who are ashamed to put their name to their comments, ought to be ashamed to make them. Rest assured, God sees behind the mask of the alias. Pastor, don’t allow these vermin to disturb you.

THE PASTOR SHOULD EXPECT TROUBLE; NOT CREATE IT

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INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT TROUBLE FOR THE PASTOR

pastorBy Ken Blue

“And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.” Luke 4:13.

“He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.” Proverbs 26:17.

A pastor must be, both alert and restrained. He can’t afford to be naive, or meddlesome. If you are doing anything for God, the devil has you in the crosshairs. You don’t have to go looking for trouble, it will find you. Wherever there is light, you have invaded his kingdom. Expect trouble from him, just don’t create it.

If you are a pastor who is actively getting people saved, getting them to join your church, disciplining them, and sending them off to the mission field, expect his attack. The shocker about his attack is you never know where it will come from. In most cases, it will come from another pastor or members of your church.

Most attacks will be about your policies and procedures. Some will attack how you use money and what your methods of ministry are. Others will find fault with your preaching and standards. There will be those who have a pencil in hand every time you speak. They are ready to make a note of words you say, with which they disagree.

Then, your standards will be under constant attack. This will mostly involve music and dress. There will always be that few who are sure they know God’s will for your church standards. In fact, all they want is for you to implement their own preferences. Then, if anyone finds fault with these, you will get the blame.

Be slow how you respond to all attacks. Once you start chasing brush fires, you have stopped ministering. You don’t have to respond to every criticism. The more you become a man or woman pleaser, the more you will become a frustrated pastor. Pray for wisdom, seek counsel and deal with each problem as wisely and possible.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Jesus could not escape Satan’s attacks, neither can you.[/perfectpullquote]

The devil moves other pastors to be jealous of any success you have. As long as you have less, do less, and know less than them, they will praise you. But once you begin to make a dent in Satan’s kingdom, he will see that you come under attacked. Ignore it if you can, and understand its source and motivation. Jesus could not escape Satan’s attacks, neither can you.

Next, don’t create trouble for yourself. Many pastors think they are failing God if they have not made some church members mad at them. Thus they ensure that they do or say something to fulfill their prophecy. Don’t be stupid. Never pick a dog up by its ears, and let sleeping dogs alone.

Ask God to put a watch on your mouth so you don’t make brainless comments from the pulpit. Spurgeon said, “Pulpits are coward’s castles.” Satan will exploit every stupid comment you make. “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Proverbs 15:1. “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones”. Proverbs 16:24. ”A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Proverbs 25:11.

You cannot pastor a group of people without receiving some criticism or faultfinding. The devil will see that it comes. But, make sure you are being criticized for soul winning, disciplining believers, enrolling believers in service and sending out missionaries.

Remember, envy and frustrated ambition is the source of most of it. Don’t panic. Do as Jesus did; go to God in prayer, seek counsel and stay the course. So, don’t be surprised when trouble comes; just don’t go around creating it and then pretending you are a martyr.