FULL HEADS BUT EMPTY HEARTS

You may have a head full of theological knowledge, but a heart empty of practical compassion. While we do not deprecate knowledge, it must be accompanied by love or it turns to promoting self rather than building saints. John Maxwell put it like this: "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care."

I recall participating in a funeral service when I pastored a small church in Charlotte . Some family had asked me to officiate, along with a well-known pastor of a large church in that city--a man whose face was featured on TV and whose voice was heard on radio. As I tried to engage him in conversation before the service, he treated me like a nobody. He barely spoke, and what he said was curt and condescending. My impression was that he was there to do a job and really had better things to do--especially sharing the pulpit with an unknown like me. Perhaps I misjudged him, but you only get one chance to make a first impression and this is what stuck with me.

I have purposed in my ministry to try to show care for the widow, the needy, the uneducated, the struggling--to make time for those who can do nothing in return for me. I don't always accomplish my purpose of edifying others and have fallen prey to exalting self, but then I repent and once more take up the basin and towel. I had rather build up the bruised, broken, and burdened than to use them as rungs to climb on the ladder of ministry success. If I know so much and sound so smart, while making others feel stupid, then what would that peasant Preacher from Nazareth think about me?

Weigh these words from the late Stephen Olford, who was not only powerful in the pulpit, but personable with people.

“Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.”– 1 Corinthians 8:1

The power of this spiritual truth is evidenced by its practical outworking. The apostle tells us that their “love suffers long and is kind; … is not puffed up; … thinks no evil” (1 Cor. 13:4-5). O, then to excel in this essential. Its secret lies in the work of the Holy Spirit, for He sheds abroad the love of God in the heart of the believer. Moreover, the fruit of the Spirit is love. O, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, moment by moment, day by day.

Then, and only then, shall my ministry be edifying, building up believers in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. The love of Christ compels us to live, teach, and preach Christ in love. Holy Spirit, fill me with the love of Jesus Christ.

Olford, Stephen F.. According to Your Word (p. 141). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

CONTENTMENT IN YOUR CALLING

 

There is a godly ambition. I doubt much is done for the kingdom advancement apart from a drive inside to reach out, a passion to excel, and a zeal for God’s glory.  

Yet, even so, how easy it is for that to be tainted by our own sinful hearts and it becomes about our name and fame—even the perks and privileges that attach to growing opportunity and celebrity. Scripture warns us that is how a beautiful archangel became the devil of hell. He was not content with the position where he was placed, but wanted to be as God. Satan then proceeded to warp Adam and Eve with the same ambition—and all the race has the same proclivity.

Preacher, do not seek to be a ladder climber!  Die to the drive to have the biggest church, the widest renown, and the highest status.  Learn to be content with your calling. Ask God to help you excel where you are as you are.

One of the first pieces of counsel I received 45 years ago was given by one of my most significant mentors, Dale Fisher, who now serves as the Associational Mission Strategist of Caldwell Baptists in NC. He said, ”God knows where you are, and can get you where He wants you to be.”  That wisdom is rooted in the Biblical admonition given here by the Apostle, and has served me well. If heeded, it can keep you from falling into the the destructive pit of pride—and as a Christian leader you will not only jeopardize future ministry, but will drag down others with you.

Be content in your calling!

THE PRIORITY IN OUR PREACHING

There are vast areas we can and should address in sermons. In a congregation, there is an array of concerns into which the preacher should bring to bear Biblical truth. But, let us never forget that the priority of our preaching is to be the cross of Christ.  It will not be popular with everyone. Those who reject it will count it as utter foolishness, but for those who receive it the power of that cross of Christ will be transformational.  There is no other way of salvation and the message of reconciliation that is proclaimed in the cross must have primacy.  

Spurgeon is often quoted as saying, “Wherever I take a text, I make a beeline to the cross!”  Those who have researched have not found that exact quote. Be that as it may, it certainly was characteristic of his preaching, and ought to be true for us.  On the day I stand before the Lord, I doubt He will say, “You preached about the cross too often!”  May He not say, “You preached about the cross too little!”  Let others judge as they will and say, “I need to hear more than the Gospel. There are practical things in my daily life I need to hear about.”  That is what I have had said to me. But, ultimately, it is the judgment of God that matters and to the priority I have given in preaching the cross, I plead, “Guilty as charged.”

DON’T BE THAT GUY

There will always be “that guy.”  He may excel in ministry—well-known and well-dressed.  The auditorium may be full, as is his bank account.  Now, that does not mean that if you are unknown and poor  that you are more godly, nor ought we judge a mega-church pastor as being ungodly.  The former may be an incompetent boob who covets what others have with no capacity to seize it. The latter may be a faithful servant whom God has chosen to give a wider influence, but is uncorrupted by it. What I am saying is that we need to sift our own motives and message by this warning from the Apostle Paul:

“For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” (Romans‬ ‭16:18‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

First, there is a warning concerning our motive. Avoid being self serving. What is your motive for ministry?  Are you there to serve the Lord or to serve yourself?  If your motive is wrong, it will taint everything you do.  No man can seek to promote his own name and promote the Lord’s name simultaneously.  We can take the basin and towel and honor Jesus by washing feet, or we can expect others to kiss our feet because I am “that guy,”—the Lord’s anointed, don’t you know?

Second, there is a warning concerning our message. Avoid using smooth speech. Is your message one of Scriptural fidelity or sermonic flattery?  The flatterer is one who tells people what they want to hear, rather than what they need to hear. There is no edge to this kind of preaching. The spiritual surgeon’s sharp Scriptural scalpel that is used to help and heal, though it hurts for a time, is discarded for a tranquilizing talk that makes the listener feel good, but ultimately is of no help. The naive never question it. They leave the church or the TV set soothed by the smooth speech, and that is what they want.

I assure you, God knows the heart and weighs our motive. He is not fooled by a golden tongue. In the Judgment, it will be exposed. The smile will be wiped off the face. In that Day, you will not want to be “that guy!”

DRESSED FOR BATTLE

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (Rom.13:14 ESV)

I heard the late Warren Wiersbe say, “This world is not a playground, but a battleground.”  Every moment of every day, Satan is out to destroy the credibility of the preacher’s message by undermining the purity of the preacher’s morals.  Since the Devil has no power to assault our King, he attacks his soldiers. Those who command the army in the field are particularly targeted. The Dragon knows that if he can bring down the preacher, then he will have great success in routing the other troops under his leadership. 

There are two things Paul tells us we must do in order to begin the day, in order to end the day unscathed. We must put on Christ as our armor and put away access points for the enemy’s entry.

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,” is the positive command. Where Paul details the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6, it must be noted that this is nothing other than the fullness of Christ Himself. He is our salvation, our righteousness, the truth, our peace, our shield in whom we trust and the living Word. We are no match for the Devil. He is a supernatural foe. But, he is no match for Jesus!  As the song says, “In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus!”  In your daily quiet time with God in His Word and in your prayers, consciously “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.”He is all we need.  He is Sovereign—“Lord,” and we must bow to Him.  He is Savior—“Jesus,” and we must trust in Him. He is Sufficient—“Christ” and we must lean on Him. 

Further, “make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”  We are in a hostile world, with a spiritual foe, and living in sinful flesh. Now, it is not that the body itself is necessarily evil. We can employ our body for great good. When we receive Christ, we are given a new nature. Yet, the old way of living, sinful experiences woven into the fabric of our flesh, tendencies toward particular temptations passed down from generation to generation and thereby reinforced, patterns of thinking that have programmed our minds—all that—is an enemy who is ever present. While you cannot get away from this until the resurrection and in glorified humanity we will be made perfect like unto the Son of God, now you have these fallen impulses, salivating in hunger to be gratified. Even though these temptations will find you, you are foolish to place yourself in situations where you know you are weak.  There are places we must not go, things we must not watch, people we must not company with, and so forth. To pray, “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” and then to run into its presence is to deliver yourself to evil!

Man of God, stand your ground!  If you fall today, the enemy will use it to give occasion for others to blaspheme God and destroy the morale of those you lead.  Be dressed for battle!