It is easy to criticise politicians whose goal is to build wealth and power through public office at the expense of the citizenry. Our government/country has been virtually destroyed by these types.
However, we draw back from looking at the state of the Church and recognizing the problem there. It is time that we did. The Church has abdicated it's place in shaping society. It has turned inward with a focus on preserving self. Pastors have soft-pedaled the Gospel . Many have become Politician Pastors .
The physical Church has developed a form of Religion but has denied the Power . The Power to do what? The Power to change individuals, who change families who change communities who change cities who change states who change a nation that changes the world.
The parable of the talents speaks to God's intent for His people - produce results! He has given us everything we need to take the world for Jesus Christ . We have His Word , we have His Spirit and we have His Authority . He expects results!
Just as the Political Politician has taken the self-serving approach most pastors have done likewise in their own way. It is easy to fall into the trap - to become a Politician Pastor . We lower our expectations, we fall into maintenance mode, we settle. We begin to trust the system rather than God . We begin to serve the system rather than God .
The early Church was not self-serving. The Gospel was spread from person to person amidst persecution under the threat of death. Yet, the Church grew and western civilization devloped.
God has not changed. We have the opportunity to see the world saved if we will walk and talk in obedience to Christ's commands:
Mark 16:15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Matthew 16
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ , the Son of the living God .
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in Heaven .
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church ; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven : and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven : and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven .