Travel with me in your imagination...

Travel with me in your imagination for a few moments. You just heard that one of the greatest preachers, not only in our era, but possibly of all time would be preaching and presenting the gospel at Dodger Stadium. You are asked to bring your friends and family to hear the gospel from this man.

Many from your church and community are driving to the stadium. When you arrive at the parking lot you see that many people are already there. There are many busses and vans. You know that not only will there be thousands of non-believers in attendance, but there’s also thousands of Christians from many different churches and denominations. There will be many very well known Christian leaders in attendance. All desire to hear this man in person. They all want to know just how this man of God is so successful.

The stadium is packed. And after some great singing this man of God walks up to the podium and microphone. There’s a giant screen in left-center field for all to be able to see this man up close. The first thing you notice is that he’s not very tall. As a matter of fact, he’s not impressive looking at all. But most know it’s not how a person looks, but rather, what he says that’s important. As he begins to address this huge crowd, you quickly have a sense of uneasiness. It’s not long before you realize he’s not all that great of a speaker either. But you think to yourself, “Well, he’s not impressive looking, not a dynamic speaker, it must be what he says that makes him one of the greatest preachers.”

As you listen, question marks are forming in your mind, as he teaches the following.
“There is no one here who is righteous.
There’s no one here who understands God’s truth.
Not one of you seeks after God.
There is not one of you here today that is good, not even one.”

You are thinking, “What?” At the same time you begin to hear a noise of rumbling across this great crowd. It’s the sound of thousands of people talking, looking at each other…question marks. As he continues to speak, you begin to see people rising from their seats and actually leaving the stadium. Those who teach the health and wealth gospel are almost sprinting out of the stadium. They’re saying, “What kind of positive confession is this? Doesn’t he
know you receive what you sow, what you say?

Many unbelievers are now out of their seats and also heading for the stadium gates. They have been taught on TV and elsewhere that God is love. They’ve heard that God has a wonderful plan for their lives. God is supposed to build you up, not tear you down. He’s suppose to make you feel good about yourself, to build up your self-esteem, not make you feel so bad about yourself.

He continues...
Your words are rotten.
Your heart is deceitful.
Your mouths are full of bitterness, void of peace…”

The church growth experts were found walking up the isles shaking their heads. It was certain they were not going to find anything here to help them attract unbelievers into their churches. Let’s face it, every student of “The Basic Principles of Church Growth” knows you don’t invite unbelievers in and then tell them how sinful and horrible they are. The church must become relevant, and meet their needs. It must never offend, or condemn.

Many post-modernists and other pastors were out of there. They know that the
church only properly functions when it’s tolerant, loving, and inclusive. All this emphasis on sin, and unrighteousness will not draw people to God’s love. And it will certainly not keep people in the church. People need to feel accepted, not rejected and condemned.

Many of the best-known and successful pastors were seen leaving the stadium.

Well, as unbelievable as it sounds, there was now only a small group of people left sitting in the stands listening to this preacher. And as you look more closely at this small number, you see that most of them do not appear to be numbered among the upper crust of society. And as you continue to look at them, you can’t believe what you are seeing. Most are crying…sobbing. Some actually on their hands and knees with faces to the ground.

Then the Apostle Paul walks down from the platform, down to this little group of men and women, and he shares with them the incredibly good news of Jesus Christ. That He died, taking upon Himself God’s wrath that you deserved. He was buried, and rose again from the dead. All who believe in Him are forgiven of their sin because Jesus bore their sin and it’s penalty on the cross.

Matthew 5:3-4
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Of course, the points of Paul’s message are taken from Romans chapter 3. What do you think? Might the list of responses be similar in “Christendom” today?