THE STATE OF THE CHURCH
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I am very pleased to welcome back Pastor Wayne Edwards of Heritage Baptist Church, Perry, Georgia USA. Pastor Wayne is “on the pace” today with a topical sermon and a comprehensive Watchmen’s Report. The Service starts at approximately 21 minutes 30 seconds by clicking the above link. The Watchmen’s Report follows this preamble.
Gibber! Gibber!
Chugley
PASTOR WAYNE WRITES:
January 3, 2026
The phrase “today’s church is a mile wide and an inch deep” means that the church has many members and boasts large attendance, but lacks spiritual depth, theological substance, and a genuine commitment to the Word of God, as manifested in the lack of reverence for Him and obedience to Him. Over the last 50 years, the Contemporary Church Movement has used the methods of the world to attract the unchurched and increase attendance. However, in so doing, they forfeited the very discipleship ministries that would lead their believing members to spiritual maturity.
For too long, the Church has prioritized fun, entertainment, catchy phrases, and the affable personality of the “speakers” to draw the crowds. In other words, success was measured by attendance, activity, or the emotions of the attendees, rather than by their transformed lives. Therefore, the focus was on conversions, i.e., getting people in, rather than on making disciples through life-to-life transformation.
So, if, as the Rick Warrens and Bill Hybels of the 90’s, and the J.D. Greers, Andy Stanley’s, Steven Furticks, and Mark Driscoll’s of our day told us; that all these changes had to be made to reach the unchurched, why has overall church attendance gone down?
The title of this Sunday’s sermon is: “The State of the Church.”
* The sermon may be viewed at theheritagechurch.org
* The sermon will be available on our website and YouTube.
* The YouTube URL: ttps://www.youtube.com@heritagebaptistchurchperry
We are deeply grateful for your continued support and for sharing these sermon study guides with those you think might be interested. According to the latest report, during October – December, we had a total of 8,612 viewers in 132 countries, including eight foreign countries and 3 U.S. territories and D.C. Obviously, you are forwarding these study guides to others, and I appreciate it!
Wayne J. and Linda J. Edwards
PO Box 766
Perry, GA 31069
706-599-3966
wnledwards@gmail.com
THE WATCHMEN’S REPORT
News Stories that Connect with Biblical Prophecy
By Wayne J. Edwards, January 3, 2026
My Fellow Watchmen,
This morning, I’m not only concerned with what I see happening in the world related to Biblical Prophecy, but I’m even more concerned about what I hear.
I’m hearing the drums of war; not just the skirmishes with terrorists, but a war on five fronts: China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, along with the Terrorist/Proxy Groups in the Middle East and Africa. According to firsthand accounts from many of our military leaders, the current U.S. military force is unprepared to handle such simultaneous wars effectively. Jesus said there will be wars and rumors of wars until He returns as the Prince of Peace.
I’m also hearing, as Dr. Billy Graham described them in his book, “The Approaching Hoofbeats of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.”
· The Rider on the White Horse – the Revelation of the Antichrist.
· The Rider on the Red Horse – worldwide war with much bloodshed.
· The Rider on the Black Horse – worldwide famine.
· The Rider on the Pale Horse – death, death, and more death.
I’m also hearing the cries for relief from the faithful remnant. “Lord, how long will the wicked triumph? They utter speech, and speak insolent things; All the workers of iniquity boast in themselves. They break in pieces Your people, O LORD, and afflict Your heritage. They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless. Yet they say, ‘The Lord does not see, nor does the God of Jacob understand.” (Psalm 94:3-7)
Albeit faint, I’m also hearing the cry for REVIVAL among God’s people, but sadly, they want it to come without genuine repentance, and the Bible does not support that. Revival has always been God’s response to collapse—moral, institutional, and spiritual—for it is only when all of our human systems fail, and they always will, that we are willing and ready to return unto God and submit our lives unto Him.
Please share these few articles with those you think might be interested. Thank you for the many gracious responses to this effort to keep God’s people informed. PW