The Work of Shepherds (8)

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Colossians 4.6

Christianity and Liberalism
J. Gresham Machen (1881-1937)
“There may have been a day when there could be propagation of Christianity without defence. But such a day at any rate is past. At the present time, when the opponents of the gospel are in control of our churches, the slightest avoidance of the defence of the gospel is just sheer unfaithfulness to the Lord…In such times of crisis, God has always saved the Church. But He has always saved it not by theological pacifists, but by sturdy contenders for the truth.”

Everywhere the Gospel of the Kingdom is under assault or being betrayed. The secular, unbelieving world cries out against the Gospel with scorn and alarm. And in the churches, various forms of “near Christianity” satisfy human wants and needs, but do not necessarily or primarily honor Christ. Christians today have believed the Lie that their unsaved neighbors and associates are not interested in spiritual matters. We have become ensnared in a spiral of silence that prevents us from speaking boldly and consistently for Christ. And worst of all, we’re comfortable there, enjoying our spiritual hot-tub while the world goes to hell. Where are the men who will stand up for the Gospel of the Kingdom, in every situation and at every opportunity, speaking with grace to defend the honor and truth of God? They’re sitting in our pews, waiting for shepherds to equip them as witnesses.

What would you suggest as an approach to equipping men to be able to declare and defend the Gospel of the Kingdom?

T. M. Moore

Mission Partners Outreach
The Lord calls all His sheep to be His witnesses, but being a witness for Christ doesn’t just happen. The flock of the Lord must be equipped for this calling, and Jesus has set shepherds over the flock to do that work. How can we equip the sheep to live for Christ and be His witnesses? Our Mission Partners Outreach provides the resources and framework for making witness-bearing disciples in your church, and all the training and resources are free. Want to learn how it works? Watch this brief video, then contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.for more information. I’ll be happy to take you through this 6-month training regimen, and help you get it started in your church.

The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations from J. Gresham Machen, Christianity and Liberalism(Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1923, 1974).