Cotton Candy Preaching
Some things are good but not good for you.

Introduction
I’m sure the title of this sermon is keeping you curious.
I assure you we will make a spiritual application.
This idea is not original with me.
I read an article with this title and it gave me some ideas concerning the modern day preaching that is taking place all over.
I know that lots of people like cotton candy.
It has been a favorite for many years.
But what if your child would eat nothing else?
What if they tried to live on only cotton candy?
What if they threw a fit when they did not get cotton candy?
Today, many parents allow the child to dictate everything.
We know that such a diet is not good for anyone.
It would not be long before they died.
Not to mention the medical expenses for the medical problems they would have.
Poison would have worked quicker.
But what parent would give their child poison?
Sadly in our sick world it has happened.

Cotton Candy Preaching
Here is the spiritual application.
What if the preacher only preached what the people wanted to hear?
2 Timothy 4:1-4 tells us the result of such preaching.
The members turn aside to fables and myths.
That means they accept false teaching.
Would it be acceptable to teach false doctrine?
Obviously the answer would be no.
And, while some good stories could teach us about love and generosity; if that is the only thing we got, it would not be good.
I once heard a preacher describe what kind of preaching you would get if you went to a certain congregation.
He described that whenever you would go there, you would hear a message about love. Then when you go again, you hear a message about love.
Love, love, love is the only thing you heard there.
Now there is nothing wrong when you teach about love, as it is the foundation of just about everything in the church.
But can the church survive on ONLY love?
No!

There are many preachers in the Lord’s church that do not teach false doctrine, but they are guilty of teaching what the people want to hear.
Their preaching is not balanced nor distinctive.
One must be willing to expose the error in people’s lives.
When the people only want the smooth preaching, they are no different than those in Isaiah’s day.
Isaiah 30:10 “Why do you say to the seers, ‘You must not see visions; and to the prophets, ‘You must no prophesy to us what is right; Speak to us pleasant words, Prophesy illusions. Get out of the way, turn aside from the path. Let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel”.
2 Timothy 4:3 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound teaching…..”
When people get used to one thing, they do not want to hear something else.
The sad thing is that many preachers are doing just that---giving the people what they want.

A lot of preachers preach to please men.
Paul warned about such teaching.
Galatians 1:10: “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ”.
The whole counsel of God needs to be preached.
Paul told the Ephesian elders that is what he did for them. By preaching the whole counsel of God, which means he preached everything they needed to hear (Acts 20:26-27).
And only gave them what was profitable (Acts 20:20).

The whole counsel of God needs to be preached:
Regardless of how it is received…
Whether the people want it or not…
Whether the preacher is even comfortable with it.
The truth is the truth.
It is the word of God.
It has the power to save your soul.
Nobody has the right to change it so as to please others.
Changing the word of God comes in the form of “sugar-coating”, “watering it down”, putting in “the fabric softener”, or turning it into “cotton candy”
None of this type of preaching will save a soul.

A true gospel preacher will teach what the people need, and not cater to their desires.
Sure it would be nice to hear the smooth words.
Those smooth words will help us feel good about ourselves.
But if we are not zealous for the Lord, we need chastisement.
Chastisement is not pleasant, but is necessary to keep us in the faith (Hebrews 12:5-11).
Your preacher is not pursuing your friendship and favor; Although it is good to be friends.
His primary concern is in seeking your spiritual welfare and growth.
Therefore, he will not preach smooth words and tickle your ears;
he will preach the truth, prick your conscience and expose the secrets of your heart.

Conclusion
If you’re not interested in growing spiritually, then you’re in the wrong place.
Our purpose here is to:
Worship and honor God in our hearts.
To encourage our brethren to do good works of God.
Prepare for an eternal home.
Do you want false teaching or Candy-cotton preaching? Both will send you to hell.

By Carey Scott based on an article I read.

Return to the Sermon Outlines page

Home / Bible studies / Bible Survey / Special Studies / General Articles / Non-Bible Articles / Sermons / Sermon Outlines / Links / Questions and Answers / What Saith The Scriptures /Daily Devotional / Correspondence Courses / What is the Church of Christ / Book: Christian Growth / Website Policy / E-mail / About Me /