FAITHFUL AND FEARLESS

God calls his preachers to be faithful and fearless. Whatever He says to us, we are to say faithfully and no matter the opposition we face to speak fearlessly. There are three significant factors to accomplish this.

It first demands COMMUNICATION WITH GOD.  Jesus said, “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light,” (Matt.10:27a).  Our public proclamation is rooted in our private communion. We must get alone with God, and hear from God, before we can go and speak for God.  Then, we are to speak not a word more, nor a word less, but what God has spoken to us.

Second, this requires CLARITY FROM GOD. Jesus amplified, “and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops,” (Matt.10:27b). The Spirit may speak to us with a still, small voice—the whisper of the Word—but, we are to speak loudly and clearly. Let none misunderstand the message—at least, insofar as we can assure it.

Third, we exhibit COURAGE FOR GOD. Christ stresses, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”  (Matt. 10‬:‭28‬‬). There will be those who hate the truth. They despise and deny God. Preaching God’s Word to such may be very costly. But, it costs far more to deny the Master and distort His message. If we fear God, we need not fear man.

My prayer for myself, and all those who preach God’s Word is that we be found faithful and fearless!

NO FEAR

Stephen Olford comments on this text:

What an encouraging verse this is! Solomon says, “The fear of man brings a snare” (Prov. 29:25). How true this is! Bondage to men because of fear is one of the greatest snares in a Christian's life. But this need not be if the heart is in the experience of this verse: “The Lord is my helper, I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Heb. 13:6). 

O, that I may enter into the practical experience of this verse; that I may be delivered from the fear of man. It would almost seem that Timothy suffered from the same things, for Paul writes to him, “Stir up the gift of God… . For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord” (2 Tim. 1:6-8). (According to Your Word, pp.216-217)

As I think of those who preach the Gospel, there will frequently be the roar of the devil, as a lion, seeking to terrify us. “If you say that, then so-and-so will be angry. Deal with that topic and this family will leave the church or that businessman will withhold his giving.”  There will be those who seek to intimidate the pastor, bully him and threaten him.

We cannot cave and compromise.  Our Helper is with us.  Fear God and we need fear nothing or no one else! 

BIBLICAL BOLDNESS

“A minister, without boldness, is like a smooth file, a knife without an edge, a sentinel that is afraid to let off his gun. If men will be bold in sin, ministers must be bold to reprove.” (William Gurnall)

That kind of boldness was manifest in the prophet Nathan. Imagine walking into the throneroom of a powerful monarch, pointing your finger in his face, and declaring David’s guilt before God!  Nathan knew he had a greater King that he served. He had an assignment from heaven and he would discharge that duty with courage and conviction. It took such rebuke to bring David to repentance. 

Will there be some in the congregation today who will need such bold confrontation?  Are they power brokers in the church who might well run you off?

BIBLE BOLDNESS

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.  (Acts 4:13)
 

Peter Cartwright was a 19th Century American famous for pointed sermons.   When his elders heard that President Andrew Jackson was coming to visit, they pulled the preacher aside and warned him to tone it down.  Peter got up in the pulpit that Sunday and his first three sentences were these. "I understand that the President of the United States, Andrew Jackson is with us this morning.  I have been asked to be guarded in my remarks.  Andrew Jackson will go to Hell is he doesn't repent."  Following the service, President Jackson grabbed Mr. Cartwright's hand, shook it vigorously and said, "Sir, if I had an army of men like you I could whip the world."

 

God, make us bold for you!