The first step towards the evangelizing of the world is the christianizing of the church. Vance Havner More Quotes by Vance Havner More Quotes From Vance Havner If you are a Christian, you are not a citizen of this world trying to get to heaven; you are a citizen of heaven making your way through this world. Vance Havner godly christian heaven The devil is not fighting religion. He's too smart for that. He is producing a counterfeit Christianity, so much like the real one that good Christians are afraid to speak out against it. We are plainly told in the Scriptures that in the last days men will not endure sound doctrine and will depart from the faith and heap to themselves teachers to tickle their ears. We live in an epidemic of this itch, and popular preachers have developed “ear-tickling” into a fine art. Vance Havner christian teacher art Paul was not ignorant of Satan's devices, but we are not so wise. Among his most successful devices today are these: exalting tolerance above truth; emphasizing the head more than the heart; making size more important than sort; stressing the positive to the neglect of the negative; putting happiness above holiness; majoring on this world instead of the next. Vance Havner stress christian wise I remember when the Titanic sank in 1912, it was the ship that was supposed to be unsinkable. The only thing it ever did was sink. When it took off from England, all kinds of passengers were aboard - millionaires, celebrities, people of moderate means, and poor folks down in the steerage. But a few hours later when they put the list in the Cunard office in New York, it carried only two categories - lost and saved. Grim tragedy had leveled all distinctions. Vance Havner new-york christian mean People used to blush when they were ashamed. Now they are ashamed if they blush. Modesty has disappeared and a brazen generation with no fear of God before its eyes mocks at sin. We are so fond of being called tolerant and broadminded that we wink at sin when we ought to weep. Vance Havner eye christian people Christians, like snowflakes, are frail, but when they stick together they can stop traffic. Vance Havner sticks christian together Satan is not fighting churches; he is joining them. He does more harm by sowing tares than by pulling up wheat. He accomplishes more by imitation than by outright opposition. Vance Havner fighting church christian It is not our business to make the message acceptable, but to make it available. We are not to see that they like it, but that they get it. Vance Havner acceptable messages christian If they had a social gospel in the days of the prodigal son, somebody would have given him a bed and a sandwich and he never would have gone home. Vance Havner bed home son Many people have the right aim in life, they just never get around to pulling the trigger. The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps -- we must step up the stairs. Vance Havner venture vision people At the rate America is decaying morally, we shall have to change our national symbol from an eagle to a vulture. Vance Havner eagles christian america A preacher should have the mind of a scholar, the heart of a child, and the hide of a rhinoceros. His problem is how to toughen his hide without hardening his heart. Vance Havner should-have heart children We are not going to move this world by criticism of it nor conformity to it, but by the combustion within it of lives ignited by the Spirit of God. Vance Havner criticism christian moving The devil is not fighting religion. He´s too smart for that. He is producing a counterfeit Christianity, so much like the real one that good Christians are afraid to speak out against it. Vance Havner smart real christian The middle of the road is a poor place to walk. It is a poor place to drive. It is a poor place to live. Vance Havner middle poor christian Don't ever come to church without coming as though it were the first time, as though it could be the best time, and as though it could be the last time. Vance Havner lasts church christian Salt seasons, purifies, preserves. But somebody ought to remind us that salt also irritates. Real living Christianity rubs this world the wrong way. Vance Havner real way world The temple of truth has never suffered so much from woodpeckers on the outside as from termites within. Vance Havner woodpeckers temples We are fighting the greatest battle of all time with the most untrained army on earth. If strict discipline is necessary in art and athletics, how can we expect to be advanced Christians and stay in kindergarten? Vance Havner fighting christian art The tragedy of today is that the situation is desperate but the saints are not. Vance Havner saint tragedy christian
