It is very easy to automatically assume that one is being “pharasaical” when they don’t agree with someone/something in the body; especially if they have experienced some level of success in ministry like Pastor Vernon has, but that is not the case in this situation. I know that you (as well as many others on this message strand) have experienced a TON of people/leaders who are “in the box” in terms of their approach to ministry and have wrongly criticized innovative leaders (like Bro. R.A. Vernon) for whatever reason. This is not that case.
What this is is an observation from another brother in the Lord who sees another brother who has erred (not in his walk) but in the discharge of his ministerial duty to God’s people through the course of his sermon. As ministers of the Gospel (which we ALL are) we must adhere to the highest standards (by the grace of God) as representatives of the Kingdom, and have the utmost integrity in the faithful discharge of our ministerial duties, especially the ones who preach in a public setting.
I agree with you totally that the methods in which we reach people must change, (I am probably as unorthodox as they come when it comes to “out of the box” ministry) while the message (the Gospel) remains consistent. New rules do require new tools. But let me share with you why him even implying “FU” (in the context in which he used it) is wrong.
The same Apostle Paul (that you quoted) also said: “It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine NOR DO ANYTHING by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.” –(Romans 14:21)
Would Paul contradict himself by saying “became all things to all people” and then say “don’t do anything which would cause your brother to stumble?” Not in this case, because the Word NEVER contradicts itself. Know what I mean?
We know (talking about everyone on this strand) what he meant when he said “FU” (meaning forgive you). But what about the ones who when they hear that term used all they can think about is the worldly term of “FU?” (regardless of his explanation of the “new” terminology.) Do we care about if what we say offends them? What if they struggle with cursing still? They hear it all day long in their head, on TV, and everyplace else, is it fair for them to have to hear even an implication (because we all know that he didn’t cuss cuss) of it in church which should be a place of rest/safety/instruction? Do we care enough about them to lay down our lives (our right to do certain things that may not be sinful or offensive to us) in order to strengthen their walk, or is it really to each its own? Are we our brother’s keeper?
This example is similar to someone who may be a musician or an artist who takes the music/melody/beat from a popular worldly song (say for instance “Single Ladies” by Beyonce) and then lays new lyrics to it and then attempts to minister the new song on a Sunday morning. For everyone who has ever heard the Beyonce song, it will be hard for them to enter into praise/worship because in their mind all the can see and hear is her lyrics and her doing the dance moves from her video. Should we bypass everyone and potentially “offend” them and play this new song for the sake of “reaching the young people” or being “out of the box?” Wouldn’t people in the service that morning during that song be looking around all confused and not knowing whether to sing the new song or break out dancing like Beyonce? Is God the author of confusion? No, He is not; where confusion is present, God is absent.
Speaking of offense, the Bible also says that “A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle.”-(Proverbs 18:19) We well may be within our “right” to say/do certain things, but if it causes offense to even one soul (not the Holy Spirit offending them pushing them towards repentance, but offense that comes from the carnality of man) I would encourage that we not even go that way.
While all of us mature Christians are laughing and saying “Amen, I got it Pastor!” you’ve got that one person who has become so offended because in their heart and mind a leader like a pastor should not even “act” like they’re cussing, know what I mean? Didn’t Christ say that he left the 99 just to rescue the 1? My brother, our disposition should be the same.
Last thing, let me tell you how we should ALL be able to tell that Pastor Vernon was wrong on this one (which is ok, because we all blow it from time to time). Anytime that you have to preface your comment with “Now ya’ll don’t get offended…” and then lead in to say what the Holy Spirit is NOT leading you to say (in this case “FU”), then you are probably about to err. Remember the bible teaches don’t do anything that causes your brother to stumble (which is normally due to some kind of offense); remember, a brother offended is hard to win (Prov. 18:19).
Pastor Jamal Bryant actually preached this message some years ago, which caused the same kind of ruckus. Why don’t we all, for the sake of unity, lay aside every sin and weight that may beset others, so we all come into a maturity in the faith with the rest of the family of God. Let God (and His Holy Word) be true, and every man be a liar. #mytwocents
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