A FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY

Stephen Olford in his book, ”According to Your Word,” presents this helpful summary of preaching ministry as described by Paul in Acts 26:18. This was what Paul was commissioned to do when Christ converted him and called him.

Olford writes:

In this verse is presented a five-fold ministry. The servant of the Lord  should take note, for it comprehends the ground he should cover when  preaching the Gospel: 

Illumination. “To open their eyes” – This is effected by presenting truth in  the power of the Holy Spirit. Conversion. “To turn them from darkness to  light” – The servant of the Lord should lead the seeking soul at this  stage, leading from the darkness of ignorance into the light of the truth.  Emancipation. “From the power of Satan to God” – This is where the  greatest battle in the salvation of a soul is fought. The weapons to be  used are The Stand (the blood of the Lamb); The Sword (the Word of  God); and The Sanction (the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ). Remission  of Sins. “They may receive forgiveness of sins” – Here is the cross,  where forgiveness of sins is to be found through the blood.  Sanctification. “An inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in  Me” – With all the blessings that a holy life brings. 

Enable me to preach the whole of Your Gospel, Lord, leaving nothing out.

GOSPEL PREACHING

There is God’s sovereignty at work in the grace that calls sinners to salvation. Yet, there is also human responsibility in the Gospel declaration by the witness and the Gospel reception by the hearer.  How, this works has been the subject of theological debate for 2000 years of church history that I will not try to settle today. How it works, I may not understand, but that it works is undeniable, “knowing…your election by God.”  Gospel preachers call out the called.

In Gospel preaching there is PROCLAMATION, “in word.”  The facts of the Gospel—the vicarious crucifixion and victorious resurrection of Jesus—must be faithfully preached. The sower must sow the seed. We are not responsible for the condition of the soil, but the casting of the seed.

In Gospel preaching there is EXPECTATION, “in power.”  The Gospel is the power of God for salvation to all who believe (cf. Rom.1:16). We are not called to sort out who the called may be, but to have confidence that if we are faithful to the Gospel, the Gospel will be forceful to do its work. It is the power of the message and not the persuasiveness of the messenger that matters.  If I can talk someone into a decision, someone else can talk them out of it!

In Gospel preaching there is CONSECRATION, “the Holy Spirit.”   It was not the powerful personality of the Apostle that wrought conversion. In fact, Paul was not impressive in his appearance or charming in his style (cf. 1 Cor.2:1-5). True Gospel preaching flows from a vessel fully consecrated to God so that the fullness of the Spirit poured in may then be poured out. Gospel preaching is a Divine transaction.

In Gospel preaching there is CONVICTION, “much assurance.”  The meaning of the word is, “conviction,” and so the ESV renders it. There must be conviction in the preacher—a confidence in the truthfulness of our message—that will produce conviction in the hearer. He or she will be convicted of sin, righteousness, and judgment through the Spirit’s work (cf. John 16:7-11).  One will not be converted until they are convicted. Someone isn’t saved until they realize they are lost.  Then, those who are converted  have the conviction that if they look to Christ by faith He will save them.

In Gospel preaching there is IDENTIFICATION, “what kind of men we were among you for your sake.”  A good shepherd abides with his flock. They see the consistency of his walk and then will listen to the communication of his words. He can identify with them in their hurts and difficulties, with their hopes and dreams. They do not see him as a man isolated from them, but identified with them—as God’s man, yet still just a man.  The Gospel preacher is not a hireling who serves for his sake, but for the sake of the sheep.  His preaching is not lofty theory, but down to earth reality.  It is not speculation spoken from an ivory tower, but identification from a man who holds a Bible with a hand that has had dirt under the fingernails.

In Gospel preaching there is REPRODUCTION, “And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit.”  It is not a momentary decision that fades with the feeling or withers under opposition or disappointment.  It was not a superficial response, but a persevering commitment that was made. True faith produces works—genuine profession produces a godly practice.  The reception of the seed of the Word will yield the reproduction of the Lord in the fruit of the Spirit.

Let us pray that God would so bless our preaching. After all, such preaching is in reliance on Him. We must be prepared to preach, but cannot unless we abide in Christ.  As the old hymn underscores, “All is vain unless the Spirit Of the Holy One comes down; Brethren, pray, and holy manna Will be showered all around.” (George Askins)

THE GOAL OF GODLY GRIEF

Someone has well said that the object of our preaching is to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable. It is the second dimension that I want to focus on in this study. There are times when our preaching needs to have as its goal to incite godly grief in the congregation.  

The ultimate aim, of course, is repentance.  Without the conviction of sin—turning to the Lord and from the world—there can be no genuine salvation. For any sinners in the sanctuary seats, we need to use the law of God to bring the full weight of wickedness and impending judgment upon their minds and hearts, so to drive them to the sweet relief of justification. 

But, the saints need to repent also—to a salvation without regret. I think Paul alludes to being saved as by fire as he discussed in a previous letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor.3:11-15).  These will gain heaven, but lose reward. Pastors dare not let the flock settle in for a carnal, compromising, complacent life. Although there is much to say about the need for repentance for salvation in the New Testament, there is also significant content on the matter of repentance for sanctification directed to the churches (see Rev.2-3). 

A lack of godly grief can produce death—the second death for those who have not truly become broken over sin and birthed by the Spirit. It can also lead to death in the church—a spiritual deadness without vitality, “having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power” (2 Tim.3:5a). Jesus said to the church at Sardis, “you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead,” (Rev.3:1b).

What is the evidence of the efficacy of such exposition?=

Vindication, “eagerness to clear yourselves.”  They wanted a clear conscience before God and clean conduct before men. 

Indignation, “what indignation.”  They responded with a righteous rage against evil in their own hearts, first, then in the church, and also the world—a holy hatred of sin.

Trepidation, “what fear.”  This is the fear of a holy God before whom we must all someday give account.

Anticipation, “what longing.”  Looking for the blessed hope when we will be saved to sin no more—not merely being saved from sin’s penalty, nor even just its power, but its very presence!  This has a purifying effect, “And everyone who thus hopes in him [Christ] purifies himself as he is pure,” (1 John 3:3). 

Consecration, “what zeal.”  Godly grief that leads to repentance kindles a fire of consecration on the altar of our hearts. As was said of Jesus, “Zeal for your house will consume me,” (John 2:17; cf. Ps.69:9). 

Mortification, “what punishment.”  Taking sin and self to the cross. Elsewhere he put it, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Col.3:5). They had witnessed this in Paul, “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others, I myself should be disqualified,” (1 Cor.9:27).

“Earnestness,” and “eagerness,” to pursue holiness was the result of Paul’s preaching to them. May we pray the Spirit to so work through our proclamation, as we recall our sacred charge, “reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching,” (2 Tim.4:2).

 Such preaching will not gain the approval of men (2 Tim.4:3-4), but it will gather the applause of heaven (1 Pet.5:4)!  In the end, both preacher and those he has impacted will rejoice together in glory!