Breaking the Hybrid Cycle
For years now I have had the privilege of preaching in many churches. Most of these churches have beautiful buildings and well-maintained grounds. Many of these were historical churches with many years of serving the community. The inside would be beautiful and would often seat 100 to 200 people. However, when the worship service started, most of these seats would be empty. The people would often tell me, “Our church used to be full”. Then with an accusative finger pointing outside the door, they would say, “People just won’t come to church anymore.”
It is not an unrelated fact that our nation is in one heck of a mess. Sin is rampant. The murder of babies in the womb has been designated a woman’s right. Perversion has been normalized. Things that used to disgust us now entertain us. Furthermore, Christians are enjoying this entertainment just as much as lost people. God has commanded His people to come out be a separate people, but we have found it easier to blend in than to stand out.
Do you know what you will get if you put a male Jack mule and a female Jenny mule together? Nothing! Mules are a cross between a horse and a donkey. They are hybrids. Hybrids cannot reproduce.
What does that have to do with why people won’t come to church? I believe that most churches are inhabited by people who practice a hybrid religion. They try to worship God and whatever else is yanking their chain at the time. They are hybrids, and hybrids don’t reproduce. Thus we have dead and dying churches.
Is there hope for our nation? Is there hope for our churches? Yes! But this hope is not found in the White House, the Court House, or the Church House. This hope is found in the hearts of God’s people. If only we will repent of our sin and once again become obedient to His Word. The Bible teaches that we cannot serve God and man. It commands us to love God with all our heart, soul, and might. Also in 1 Corinthians 5, we are taught that fellow Christians must hold each other to the highest standards of righteousness. If we do this, then once again Christians can become a light to the world and the salt that will preserve our society.
For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord– And I will receive you.”
II Corinthians 6:16-17 NKJV
Douglas & Deborah Huff
From Down Where The Pavement Ends
email- pavementendsministry@gmail.com
