GOD'S LOVE MANIFEST

The Church's marching orders--
To go and disciples make, (Matt. 28:19,20)
Has all but been subverted
With evangelism a tack to take.
While winning baby Christians
Will change their destination,
Their lack of power in living
Will cause much consternation.

Obedience to God's command
Involves "preaching of the Cross"; (1 Cor. 1:18)
With all emphasis on the Blood,
The new believer suffers loss.
But the preaching of the Cross
Must be backed by personal teaching,
That application might be made,
If heartstrings they are reaching.

Since many suffer alienation,
Personal acceptance is sorely needed;
Corporate teaching can be lost
If a person's hurts are unheeded.
Love is the key to hearts
And must be shown in flesh and blood;
Though it's expounded from the Word,
Personal embodiment brings the flood.

With believers treated all alike,
The personal touch is denied;
Getting to know personal struggles
Allows the pulpit to come alongside.
When a person needs a friend,
Objective teaching may not suffice;
But some personal time and caring
Can be the 'pearl of great price'! (Matt. 13:46)

From now until our Lord comes,
Personalized ministry is vital;
Such time will pay dividends,
Faultfinding knowing no recital.
'Pew sitting' without a personal touch
Can result in much dejection;
Good intentions by the Church
Can be perceived as rejection.

When a person feels rejection
While searching for healing love,
He may perceive God's absence,
Though he could abide above. (Eph. 2:6)
God's love by the church shown
Will draw the hurting to hear;
Sensing God's love in His people,
Will compel them to draw near.

C. R. Solomon 4-10-09

PREACHING THE CROSS

"Preaching. . . the cross", "the power of God", (1 Cor. 1:18)
Is the need of the Church today;
But it will not be our portion
While the flesh yet holds sway.

With pastor and people broken,
We can know the Church of old;
Those who are "crucified with Christ" (Gal. 2:20)
Will have a witness bold. (Acts 4:13)

The watching world waits,
Though not knowing what it's seeing;
So there must be a major shift
From frenetic 'doing' to 'being'.

All believers "have crucified the flesh", (Gal. 5:24)
But few have had illumination;
We can know the 'old man' died (Rom. 6:6)
But still be lacking in revelation. (Rom. 6:11)

The weakened state of the Church today
Makes it impotent to lead the way;
With the world approaching chaos,
The Church must no longer stray.

"Thus saith the Lord" is the maxim (Zech. 8:3)
That we all need to hear;
A broken Church, in a broken world,
Will cause it to draw near.

With the "life. . .of Jesus". . . "made manifest", (2 Cor. 4:11)
The Church will regain respect;
Continued ministry in human strength--
The world can, and should, reject!

The Church empowered by the Spirit,
With dead men made alive-(Rom. 6:3-6)
"Preaching. . .the cross", "the power of God", (1 Cor. 1:18)
Will cause the Church to thrive.

C. R. Solomon 4-6-09