We all have goals in life. Preachers have them too. Sadly, our goals often set the bar much lower than what God would have for us. To be a man of God who fruitfully serves the Lord, we are to pursue love for God and our fellowman. That is what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13 as the pinnacle of our passion and pursuit in Gospel ministry.
A preacher is about effective communication—and rightly so. Yet, the Apostle warns that soaring oratory that wows the congregation is ineffective unless motivated by love for the One we speak of and the ones we speak to. Without love, we are just a lot of noise insofar as the Eternal Judge is concerned. If we are not careful, we may be more obsessed with impressing our hearers instead of leading them to be captivated with Christ.
A preacher should pursue theology—getting deep into his knowledge of the Word. It is commendable to grasp the prophetic Scriptures and be able to share eschatological insights with excellence. Yet, if we want to awe the people with our knowledge instead of leading them to be in awe of the Lord who is returning we have utterly failed. Our goal is to love the Lord who is coming again and to create a longing in the hearts of the hearers to desire Him. When there is love for the Lord and the congregation then that will be our goal. Should people walk away amazed at our knowledge we have failed. Our objective is for them to leave the message enamored with the hope of seeing the Lover of their souls coming in the clouds.
A preacher ought to engage in service. Sacrifice and Gospel ministry walk hand in hand. Yet, even the giving of our time, talent, and treasure may be motivated for others to brag on us and give us a pat on the back.
Recall how Jesus spoke of the religious leaders of His day who fasted—not to seek God, but to seek men’s applause. He told of the same ones who gave—not out of concern for the good of others, but for the commendation of others. Then, Jesus warned of how these self-centered men prayed magnificent prayers—all for show, as those prayers rose no higher than the ceiling. Such service is all, “hay, wood, and straw,” burned up at the Judgment Seat of Christ without eternal reward, (cf. 1 Cor. 3:12-15).
Paul exhorts us to love. He tells us what love does not do and what love will do. We may fail to speak as we would want, to know all we ought, and to attain all we might wish in ministry. Yet, if we relentlessly pursue love, then we are successful as God evaluates it.
I will reach the end of ministry with still a lot more to learn. But, if I have sought to be a man of faith, hope, and love—and to lead those I have served to be the same, then I have been aiming at the right target. Even of those three great Christian virtues, love is preeminent. It is the greatest goal in ministry. Don’t take my word for it—Paul wrote it under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
No comments:
Post a Comment