You ask "Is the truth really what we want to hear? Or do we just want to hear what makes us feel comfortable? Do we just want to hear someone reinforce what we have always believed?"
Of course we want to hear what makes us comfortable! If we are uncomfortable we won't go back to church to hear it again!
We need to judge our churches doctrines against scripture, and see if it measures up: Prove all things, hold fast to the good. (1Thes 5:21)
if not we will be in the same boat as Israel: Well has Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, "This people honours Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. However, they worship Me in vain, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men, ... (Mark 7:6-8)
Do we worship God and what he says, or the preacher and what he says?
And there are still a lot of hardened hearts around today. And many so-called pastors who reject the Old Testament as outdated.
You ask "Is the truth really what we want to hear? Or do we just want to hear what makes us feel comfortable? Do we just want to hear someone reinforce what we have always believed?"
Of course we want to hear what makes us comfortable! If we are uncomfortable we won't go back to church to hear it again!
We need to judge our churches doctrines against scripture, and see if it measures up: Prove all things, hold fast to the good. (1Thes 5:21)
if not we will be in the same boat as Israel: Well has Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, "This people honours Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. However, they worship Me in vain, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men, ... (Mark 7:6-8)
Do we worship God and what he says, or the preacher and what he says?
Sadly, I think what you say tends to be true all too often. It's why Paul charged younger Timothy to "Preach the word!" (2 Timothy 4:2).