Not Here, Not Ever

From J.I. Packer's Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God:

"[We should not] be preaching the gospel (though we might imagine we were) if all that we did was to present Christ in terms of a human's felt wants. (Are you happy? Are you satisfied? Do you want peace of mind? Do you feel that you have failed? Are you fed up with yourself? Do you want a friend? then come to Christ; He will meet your every need. - as if the Lord Jesus Christ were to be thought of as a fairy godmother, or a super-psychiatrist.)

"In common honesty, we must not conceal the fact that free forgiveness, in one sense, will cost everything; or else our evangelizing becomes a sort of confidence trick. And where there is no clear knowledge, and hence no realistic recognition of the real claims that Christ makes, there can be no repentance, and therefore no salvation."

Do you know any churches or ministries like this? I'm afraid they've sprouted up like dandelions all over the fruited plain of the United States. How can it actually be that there are "ministers" and "ministries" that offer up an easy-believism. These men (and women) may as well resign the churches and earn their living being the motivational speakers they are rather than continue pretending that they preach the Gospel.

I admit, that may sound like a harsh statement. I will further admit that my own preaching prowess needs constant work and that I must continually grow in my understanding of the Gospel and how to present it accurately and faithfully. However, I am concerned that so many folks are being made to feel good about themselves every Sunday morning, instead of feeling the weight of their sin brought to bear. Who needs a Savior when Pastor Peprally is behind the pulpit?

The Gospel should be about the truth of the state of our souls, and about the risen Christ who has suffered and provided forgiveness for us, and the true, lasting joy and confidence that only He can bring. Let us never allow our own churches to become self-help centers. Not ever.