WALKING AND WARRING

“I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.”  (2 John‬ ‭1:4, 10-11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

The preachers and teachers of the church are to promote and preserve doctrinal soundness.   That begins by insuring we ourselves are committed to being guided by and growing in truth, as well as guarding against error creeping into our minds and messages.

Error does not usually enter the congregation as a growling wolf, but in pretense of being a gentle sheep—a wolf dressed in sheep’s wool.  Discernment is needed by the watchmen of the Word who are posted to prevent such from access to the flock.  A podcast shared, a book promoted, and such is all that is required for heresy to gain access to the church house.

Usually, there is little deviation. What is said sounds mostly right—and it is typically stated in a very appealing manner, with Bible verses attached to it. But think of it this way: a ship setting sail from New York’s harbor, bound for England, that is only one degree off course will end up in Africa instead.   So false teaching is barely wrong at first, but once tolerated it moves one farther and farther away.

John calls us to walk in truth. Heaven rejoices when the pastor shows faithfulness to truth in his practice and shares fidelity to truth in his preaching.   

John also call us to war for truth. We must be vigilant—intolerant of error.  As old Vance Havner said, “The church has never been so much in danger from woodpeckers on the outside as termites on the inside.”  This battle is never over until Christ returns.

PREACHING PROPHECY

 

Whatever your eschatological viewpoint, as a preacher of the whole counsel of God, you dare not neglect preaching on prophecy.  Dogmatism in every detail is not required, however, shirking the vast multitude of texts that point to the end of the age is pastoral malpractice.  The book ends of Scripture are creation (Genesis) and consummation (Revelation). Without the beginning and ending of the grand narrative of the Bible, all the books sandwiched in between will not make much sense (see 2 Peter 3:1-7).

The central purpose of preaching prophecy is not to satisfy curiosity with information, but to stir urgency in transformation.   The fervent call of Christ’s return is “Get ready!”  (2 Peter 3:8-9).  It is a call to sinners to repent, evangelizing for “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance,” (v.9). It is a call to saints to righteousness, emphasizing “what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,” (v.11b).

The compelling passion of preaching prophecy is “looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God,” (v.12a).  How can it be said that we can hasten the coming of Christ?  Peter is looking from this side of the clouds in our earthly perspective. Above the clouds, God sees everything right on schedule from His eternal point of view—not a second early or a minute late.  Here is what we know—there is a moment in time when the last of the elect will come to Christ. The Bride will be complete and the Bridegroom will come for His Beloved. While the Lord knows who that one is, we do not, and our task is to win souls and thereby “hasten,” the coming of Christ. How exciting!

Preacher, do not neglect to preach prophecy!

SHEPHERD THE FLOCK

Being an elder is a high privilege and a heavy responsibility. 

WE NEED TO HAVE A PROPER MODEL.  We learn from others who have gone before us. There are many who have set a high standard. Peter would be included as “a fellow elder.”  Of course, the perfect model is “the Chief Shepherd.”  We will not attain perfection, but there ought to be progression, as we move in the direction Christ has set for us. 

WE NEED TO HAVE A PROPER MOTIVE.  It is not to be as a mere duty or for monetary reward. This is not a job that we choose as we would select a vocation among an array of possibilities. Rather, God chooses us. Our will is to be surrendered gladly and our work is to be performed joyfully. We will be rewarded in eternity!  There is the anticipation of the Chief Shepherd placing an unfading crown of glory on the head of the faithful pastor!

WE NEED TO HAVE A PROPER MANNER.  We do not act as bosses telling people what to do, but as examples showing people what to do. Our manner is to be one of loving service that causes the flock to trust us and follow us. They are then motivated to serve others also.

THE PULPIT AS THE ALTAR; THE SERMON AS THE SACRIFICE

Pastoral ministry can be painful. Preaching can be exhausting and often met with apathy from some, hostility from others. When tempted to quit, let us look beyond the pews to Calvary. Consider the outpouring of Jesus’ blood and pour yourself out in your preaching. 

The pulpit is your altar and your sermon the sacrifice, ignited by gratitude for the mercy of God that would make you—an undeserving sinner—to be a custodian and communicator of God’s Word. Our voices ought to rise from the fires of hell with shrieks of pain for all eternity, but instead they may rise today with shouts of praise for grace that saved us and selected us to preach the Gospel!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans‬ ‭12:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

FOR HIS GLORY

 

Our service to God is not to promote ourselves, but to glorify God. Let us beware of pursuing ministry as glory hounds hunting church celebrity status.

OUR SPEECH SHOULD BE ROOTED IN GOD’S AUTHORITY. “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God.” It is not our eloquence with words, but the exposition of the Word that redounds to His glory. Our intention in the sermon is to accurately present the sacred text as though God Himself were speaking though us. It is not the messenger, but the message that matters.  That Word has transforming power. We cannot change people, but God can through His oracles—and thus, He receives all the glory.

OUR SERVICE SHOULD BE RELIANT ON GOD’S ABILITY. “If anyone ministers, let him do it with the ability which God supplies.” If we want the honor of man, then we will offer them the help of a man—which will be of no eternal significance. Our passion should be for the honor of God, that He might help men and women with a power that is of enduring importance.  Church leaders are mere channels through which the mighty river of God’s blessing flows. No one is awed by a river bank, but focuses on the mighty stream that washes through it.

When servants of the Lord attend to these two matters, the result is: “that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

A WARNING ABOUT OUR WORDS

The calling to be a preacher and teacher of God’s truth is an awesome privilege.  We stand and speak on behalf of God. In our hands we hold the Word of God, and it is infused with a supernatural power because of its Divine source. But as the famous line from the Spider-Man movie reminds us, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

James writes from the perspective of one who was pastor of the Jerusalem church. He reminds us that there is power in words—not just the Word of God—but all words. They can hurt and they can heal. Hitler’s speeches set a world ablaze and wrought horrendous evil, while at the same time Churchill’s words galvanized the forces of freedom and stirred them to victory.

Preachers deal with words—a lot of words. People show up to listen to us. Whether in the pulpit or in a line at the grocery store, sitting in a cafe or in the stands of a sports arena—wherever those who know us are present, they are listening to us. 

James reminds us of the danger. Because of the depravity of our heart—even the regenerate—the tongue is untameable by man.  Yet, the Holy Spirit can do what we never can. He possesses all power. We must be dependent on Him. 

The call to preach is a compulsion from God that we cannot avoid, or we ought not do it. The duty to speak for God, and what the effect can be, should drive us to our knees before we stand to speak!  The more light we have the more intense will be the scrutiny of Christ’s judgment. God opens our minds to comprehend His truth and we open our mouth to communicate that truth.  God help us!