I have made this statement before and I’ll stand by it. The church is losing a generation of young people who are being deceived by a worldly agenda against Christianity. They are being brainwashed in universities and public schools. The entertainment industry is constantly feeding them lies and propaganda. I am certain if you look behind the scene you will find parents who also believe the same thing and do not attend church. I understand that a few people don't see this because perhaps in their area young people do attend church. I preach often at various churches where the youth groups are thriving, and I thank God for it. But for the most part the vast majority of the generation coming behind us wants nothing to do with the Bible or church.
Here is an article from One News Now.
NEW YORK (April 10, 2014) - A new poll finds a sharp increase in the number of Americans who consider the Bible merely the teachings of men rather than the word of God.
The fourth annual State of the Bible survey was conducted just over two months ago by the Barna Group for the American Bible Society.
It found that while about one in five Americans continue to read the Bible at least four times a week and view it as divinely inspired, an equal percentage doubt the Bible's relevance and authority. That's almost twice the percentage of those who were skeptical of the Bible in 2011.
The survey found the greatest increase in indifference toward the Bible was among Americans between the ages of 18 and 29.
Spokesman Geof Morin says the American Bible Society hopes to reach more of that generation through their cell phones with daily verses and Bible studies.
Society President Roy Peterson says he hopes more Americans will turn to the Bible to "make sense of life" and reverse what many see as the nation's "moral decline."
Notice that the percentage is almost twice as much as it was in 2011. There are many churches where I have preached where the average age of the congregation is between 60 and 70 years old. And the membership is somewhere around 30 to 40 who attend regularly. It does not take much to see that in 5 to 10 years churches like this will not have anyone to carry on.
So how did we get here? Do we put the blame on the government? No; Do we put the blame on Colleges and Universities? No; Do we blame the entertainment industry? No; Do we even dare to blame the parents? No;
So who then is responsible? The Church!
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1 Peter 4:17 (KJV)
God is not looking for nor is He expecting the government, the Universities, the entertainment industry, or parents who are lost for that matter to reach this generation.
That responsibility as it has always been falls on the shoulders of the church.
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chron 7:14 (KJV)
If these 18 to 29 year olds could only see that they are in fact fulfilling the Word of God by their actions, they certainly could see that the Bible is relevant to today's culture.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2 Tim 4:3-4 (KJV)
It is for this very reason that people who are Christians need to understand that time is slipping away, and there should be an urgency in our work and labors in sharing the gospel. While everyone else has been coming out of the closet so to speak, the church has gone into retreat mode. We need to turn around and face the challenges we have in our society today. Yes many will be offended by our actions and we may lose some friends and family members may even turn against us.
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
Matt 10:31-36 (KJV)
Church we are not trying to win a popularity contest, we are trying to lead lost people to Jesus Christ.
I am sure that many of you reading this right now have in your own families as well as where you work people who fall into this age group and who are some of the very ones who doubt the bibles relevancy and authority. It is your responsibility as a child of God to share the gospel with them. If nothing else pass this E-Mail on to them and let them read for themselves. But somehow we must make the truth available to this upcoming generation or this might possibly be the generation that closes many a church door across our country.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
2 Cor 5:10 (KJV)
In His Service,
Rev. Mike Smith
