By Glendol McClure
Recently, a preacher who was invited to hold a gospel meeting was asked by the preacher of the congregation inviting him what he thought about having the meeting in a neutral place and not mentioning the name of the church due to prejudice on the part of denominational people. Is such a method boldly preaching the gospel of Christ to a lost and dying world as Jesus and his apostles did? Consider this:
“What shall we say then?” If a Jew is in the audience; shall we avoid preaching “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” because of the prejudice of Jews (1 Cor. 2:2)? “God forbid” — Mark 8:38; Romans 1:16; 9:33; 2 Timothy 1:12.
“What shall we say then?” If a Muslim is in the audience, shall we avoid teaching the Deity of Christ because of the prejudice of Muslims? “God forbid” — Matthew 10:32, 33; Acts 8:37; Romans 10:17; 1 John 4:2, 3, 15; 5:1.
“What shall we say then?” If members of denominations are in the audience, shall we expect the preacher to avoid preaching on the identity and purpose of the Lord’s church because the denominational world teaches, “one church is good as another,” or for fear of “embarrassing our visitors” or being accused of “blasting denominations”? “God forbid” — Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 2:21, 22; 4:1-16; 5:22-33.
“What shall we say then?” If we have evolutionists or atheists in the audience, shall we avoid teaching that God exists and that he is the creator of all things, because of the prejudice of evolutionists and atheist? “God forbid” — Genesis 1-2; Psalms 8:3, 4; 40:5; 74:17; 95:5; 100:3; 104:24, 30; Isaiah 40:28; 43:7; John 1:3; Acts 17:24-29; Romans 1:19, 20: Colossians 1:16.
“What shall we say then?” If immoral people are in the audience, shall we avoid preaching “repentance for the remission of sins” because they may be prejudiced regarding certain moral issues such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, polygamy, abortion, drinking alcohol, stealing, etc.? “God forbid” — Matthew 5:32; 19:9; Romans 1:21-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20; 7:1, 2; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 4:28; Colossians 3:1-10; 1 Peter 4:1-4.
“What shall we say then?” We must declare “ALL the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). We must “preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke and exhort with all long suffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2). If we seek to please men, we will not be the servants of Christ (Gal. 1:10). We must “speak the truth in love” and teach all things commanded by God for man to do (Eph. 4:15; Matt. 28:19, 20; John 14:15, 21; 15:10; 1 John 5:1-3; Rev. 22:14). Now, what will you say then?
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