PROBLEMS AND PROVIDENCE

 

Is God sovereign?  Of course He is or He would not be God. That being the case, do we affirm that when problems come, they are according to His providence?  The Apostle Paul affirms it to be so. Writing to the Philippians, he does not merely resign himself to be confined in chains, but rejoices that he is. 

“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.” (Philippians 1:12-18 NKJV)

Joy is the note that sounds over and over in this small letter. Perceiving providence in his problems led to praise. How are you responding to your adversity and dealing with adversaries?  These are inescapable realities in ministry. Being a preacher does not mean we escape them, but assures that we will face them. You either recently faced trouble, or are in the midst of a conflict, or soon will be in one. 

Paul calls on us to STAND FAST, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast…” (Philippians 1:27a). This is a matter of conviction. I am at an age where I can no longer run fast…but I can stand fast!  The man of God dare not compromise. While we seek peace—it is not “peace at any price.”  The preacher who is surrendered to the Word must never surrender to the world.  In this sinful world, we will always face strong winds and surging waves.  Dig in your heels!  Providence has brought you where you are.

We stand fast when we STRIVE FEARLESSLY, “in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God,” (1:27b-28). This is a matter of courage. Satan whispers, “Flee!”  God speaks and says, “Fight!”  The providence that brought you to the problems will bring you through the problems. You can be fearless, when you recall that you are not in this fight alone. Of course, our Commander is there and He is more than sufficient, but it is also helpful to know we have other warriors alongside us. Paul calls for unity—to strive together. Too often we fight with each other. How many churches become a circular firing squad?  Do not see your fellow pastor as a competitor. See him as a fellow soldier!

To stand fast and strive fearlessly, requires a resolve that by the grace of God, we will SUFFER FAITHFULLY, “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me,” (v.29-30). This is a matter of consistency. Whatever our circumstances—and problems will often be present and in seasons be powerful—we must consistently embrace that God’s providence has brought us there. He has supplies us with faith to come to Christ and therefore will give us grace to suffer for Christ. Paul was a great man of faith, yet still a man. The same Spirit that empowered him is with us. Others have suffered faithfully, so may we.  Old Isaac Watts asked us:

1. Am I a soldier of the cross,
   A follow’r of the Lamb?
   And shall I fear to own His cause,
   Or blush to speak His name?
2. Must I be carried to the skies
   On flow’ry beds of ease,
   While others fought to win the prize,
   And sailed through bloody seas?
3. Are there no foes for me to face?
   Must I not stem the flood?
   Is this vile world a friend to grace,
   To help me on to God?
4. Sure I must fight if I would reign;
   Increase my courage, Lord;
   I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
   Supported by Thy Word.
5. Thy saints in all this glorious war
   Shall conquer, though they die;
   They see the triumph from afar,
   By faith’s discerning eye.
6. When that illustrious day shall rise,
   And all Thy armies shine
   In robes of vict’ry through the skies,
   The glory shall be Thine.

EFFECTIVE EXPOSITION

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians should be the prayer of every expositor: “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,” (‭‭Eph. ‭1‬:‭17‬).  When there is the application of truth from the Holy Spirit—“the spirit of wisdom”—and the apprehension of truth from the Holy Scriptures—“the spirit of…revelation”—then expository preaching will be effectively powerful.

We should seek to be DISCERNING OF THE WISDOM OF GOD, “the spirit of wisdom.”  Wisdom commences with the understanding of the meaning of the text—proper interpretation.  But, it does not stop there.  We continue with the message of the text—practical application.  We then conclude with the mandate from the text—persuasive exhortation.  Simply put, we pray for the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the truth, that we may open our mouths to speak it, and then open the hearts of the people to receive it.  Wisdom goes beyond the facts in the heads of the listeners, to seeing those facts become a force in the hearts of the people.  We help them see that the Holy Spirit will guide them in day to day decisions that impact them and influence others.  We must help the congregation to know, “Here is what God says,” and then declare, “Here is what we need to do about it!”

We should seek to be DIRECTED BY THE WORD OF GOD, “the spirit of…revelation.”  While the Holy Spirit brings us into application of the truth, the Holy Scriptures lead us into the apprehension of the truth.  To apprehend means to grasp something—in this case we get a grip on God’s Word. In so doing, the Word will also grab hold of us!  The will of God is disclosed in the Word of God.  We are not getting direct revelation—new truth—as those in the first century before the New Testament was completed.  Paul prayed for them to have a direct pipeline to God’s revealed will from heaven.  With the completion of the New Testament and the deaths of the Apostles and prophets, we are not receiving new revelation, but fresh illumination from the Word of God.  Then we will not only be guided by God’s wisdom, but governed by God’s Word.

If we pray for this and preach like this, then our exposition will be effective. Biblical information, practical application, passionate exhortation, and compelling illustration will produce powerful transformation.

If we do not want this, then why do we stand in the pulpit and speak to the people?  

DO NOT BE A BIBLE BULLY!

Paul was a man capable of confrontation. His knowledge of Scripture and power of speech meant he could lacerate his listeners with the Spirit’s Sword—the Word of God. Yet, he restrained himself—though in his flesh was tempted to do so. Did he not have the right?  Did he not write that the Word of God was the Sword of the Spirit?  True on both counts. Yet, authority is to be used to bless others and not to blast them. The Scriptural Sword is to be wielded against the foe and not our fellow soldiers. The preacher is not to be a Bible bully!  Let us examine 2 Corinthians 13:8-10.

We are to be CONVICTIONAL, “For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth,” (v. 8).   By no means did the Apostle compromise the message. He was a man of clarity and conviction. He did not go along with error to get along with people. The Corinthian church was planted in a pagan environment that sought to mold them into its image. The struggle to resist and rather be shaped into the image of Christ was real. Sometimes they faltered and Paul found it necessary to be very direct. 

Our church members live in such a hotbed of heathenism. The peril of compromise with the culture is relentless. The temptation to be silent—like Lot dwelling in Sodom—is persistent. The Serpent whispers, “Believe what you want—but be nice and don’t try to force your beliefs on others. Jesus was nice and you should be.”  Sadly, many pastors reinforce that flawed thinking. Our people are ill-prepared to make a difference in the world. They do not have the distinctive qualities of light and salt that push back the darkness and restrain the rottenness of the culture. Pastors MUST equip the congregation with truth. Being concerned for others in their struggles does not mean we cannot be convictional about their sins. Indeed, we must be “for the truth.”  The Word of God will stand when all in this world perishes in judgment.

Yet, we are to be COMPASSIONATE, “For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete,” (v. 9). Paul was willing to sacrifice for the cause of Christ. He would pour himself out on the altar for the glory of the Lord and for the good of the church. His joy was found in expending his energy for others and not for himself. Many an hour was invested in intercession for the saints and when he saw them making progress in sanctification, then he knew his labor was not in vain. 

Being for the truth means that we are for the church. Elsewhere the Apostle spoke of the proper balance, “speaking the truth in love,” (Eph. 4:15a). Adrian Rogers expressed it this way, “Loveless truth is brutal. Truthless love is hypocrisy. Love in truth is necessary.” (The Adrian Rogers Legacy BIble, p. 1324). The result of conviction (truth) and compassion (love) is completeness (growth).  Then we will see that the people “may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ,” (Eph. 4:15b). 

Thus, we are to be CONSTRUCTIVE, “Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction,” (v. 10‬‬). There is a danger in “speaking off the cuff,” in our sermons. Paul faced the reality of this. He said that he was glad he was not physically present with the people—for in his emotional state he may have lacerated them with a sharp tongue. 

If you preface a point in your sermon with this, “I might not should say this, but…” you probably should not say it. Paul was able to calm down and write a constructive message instead of a destructive one. God can use spontaneity in sermons. If the Spirit leads us to say something off script then we should follow His prompting. We are there to please God and not people. Yet, in the heat of the moment, it is more likely we may act on a fleshly impulse and blame the Spirit for it. 

I advocate writing out your sermons as Paul did here. As you read over your notes and think through the text, you are more likely to resist the temptation to be a Bible bully. Our desire is to be constructive in using our preaching to build others up and not tear them down. We do not speak to “get something off our chest,” but to get Scripture into their hearts.

I think Paul was following the Jesus model in ministry.  Our Lord pictured His method this way, “A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory;” (Matt.‬ ‭12‬:‭20‬‬).  The bruised reed—a plant bent and bruised—must be tenderly straightened or it will break rather than heal. The smoking flax—the wick of a lamp barely glowing—must have a gentle breath to cause it to burn again instead of being blown out by a forceful breath. This is how we must deal with struggling saints—and we have pews full of them. 

I have written these words of A. J, Gossip in the front of my Bible as a reminder, “The mass of trouble in a congregation is quite unbelievable. And they come up to church, looking to you to help them, hoping for some word to bring them through.”

Will our speech be constructive “for edification,” or destructive, “for destruction”?  Will we build up the church or blow it up?  Do not be a Bible bully!

COURAGEOUS COMMUNICATION

“Evan-jellyfish,” is a term I have heard used to describe evangelicals without a spine.  To such, Christianity is about being nice—just like Jesus.  After all, “He gets us,” as the multi-million dollar TV campaign nicely presents. Of course Jesus was nice, except when He was flipping over tables, cracking a whip, demanding repentance or you perish in hell, calling people vipers, and prophesying wrath to come!  

Yet, Jesus spoke the truth in love. He neglected neither. Christ was “full of grace and truth,” (John 1:14). Our message is not one of condemnation, but compassion. Yet, the way out of condemnation is not human goodness (however we define it), but heavenly grace. To promote love without truth is liberalism that has no saving power.  If we are already nice, then we can have this very nice Jesus whomever we imagine Him to be, and think all is well for the afterlife—whatever we conceive that to mean.

Paul is contrasting the ministry of the Old Covenant with the message of the New Covenant in chapter three of 2 Corinthians. There was a glory in the law given to Moses, for it came from Holy God. It set forth God’s standard, but gave no means to keep it. Moses’ face reflected the glory for a time, but it faded. In opposing liberalism, we are not promoting legalism. That is a ministry of the letter that kills. 

Rather, we have a ministry of righteousness—that very righteousness which comes by faith in Christ and gives us grace to change from the inside out. The Apostle would later state in this letter, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (‭5‬:‭17‬‬). It is the ministry of the Spirit that gives eternal life.  Our focus is on courageous communication that Paul commends in 2 Corinthians 3:12, “Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech—”. 

This conveys THE BASIS OF COURAGEOUS COMMUNICATION, “Therefore, since we have such hope…”.  The unshakeable hope we have rests in the finished work of Christ. It is a not the “hope so” of legalism or liberalism, but the concrete assurance of justification from Christ’s work in the past that saves us from sin’s penalty, sanctification in His ongoing work in the present that saves us from sin’s power, and glorification at His return that saves us from sin’s presence. There is no hope to be found in a message that declares we are good already as liberalism does, or demands that we be good in our own ability as legalism does. Rather, it is about Jesus who is, “the Way, the Truth, and the LIfe.”  The only hope, for none come to the Father but by Him, (John 14:6). 

This means we can have THE BOLDNESS OF COURAGEOUS COMMUNICATION, “we use great boldness of speech—”.  Paul did not say, “I’m OK; you’re Ok” but confronted us with the reality of our sin and the gravity of the sentence upon us. Nether did he tell us to pray to Mary, confess to a priest, keep some ritual, be nice and so forth—hoping that in the scales of justice, the good may outweigh the bad.  False religion—whether of a cult or some perverted Christianity—has the works of bad people put in the scales and so our religiosity and ritual on the other side tip the balance in our favor. The problem with that it is actually the holiness of God in one side of the balance, and whatever we put into the other side will not even move the scale. Only one human ever equaled the perfect righteousness of God—the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, we boldly proclaim the Gospel. 

This is the good and glorious work that Christ does in us by His Spirit who regenerates and sanctifies. In HIs abiding presence and our pursuing an abiding relationship with Him that transformation occurs: 

“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Cor. 3‬:‭17‬-‭18‬‬). 

Our courageous communication is of freedom in Christ—free to be all that God wants me to be, realizing it in increasing measure, as I grow and glow from the glory of Christ in and with me. “He gets us,”—yes, if you mean Christ gets us by reaching into the pit of sin and pulling us out of the muck and mire, cleaning us up, and clothing us in His righteousness, fitting us for glory. 

Hallelujah, what a Savior we preach!  May His Gospel be our courageous communication!

THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IN PREACHING

Preparing a sermon is challenging, but practicing the sermon is the greatest challenge of all. Paul’s words here in Romans 2:1 remind us of this. “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.”

Confronting sin is not to be shunned. The Word of God proclaimed in the power of the Holy Spirit will convict people and call them to repentance. We dare not avoid it. 

But, if we are unwilling to confront the sin in our own lives, then it becomes judgmentalism and we are hypocrites. Hypocrisy has a deadening effect. Just ask Ananias and Sapphira!  

The old axiom is nevertheless essential: “Practice what you preach.”  

The Sadducees were liberals who would not confront sin. The Pharisees were legalists who were about condemning sinners. I do not want to fall into either camp. So, it is crucial to extract the log from my own eye, that I might see clearly from the pulpit to help remove the painful splinter in the church members’ eyes. 

Let God work you over for six days as you look into the mirror of God’s Word, so you can show the reflection of holiness on the Lord’s Day. Cleanse your hands before you take up the scalpel of Scripture to perform spiritual surgery on church folk. They need to have sin removed, but do not need to contract the deadly disease of legalism from us.

I have often said to people who tell me the message convicted them and commend me for it: “I preach to myself and hope that as others eavesdrop, it will help them too.”

TRUE TO THE WORD

Some fifty years ago, I heard the old evangelist, Vance Havner, warn that the church had become a “non-prophet” organization. If he were still living, what would he say ?  Paul wrote, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” (2 Tim.‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬-‭4‬‬). While the number of smooth talking, ear tickling preachers has increased, there are few prophetic voices being raised—men like Micah. 

His audience response was one of hostility as he confronted them for their sin and spoke of the judgment to come. They demanded, “Do not preach…one should not preach such things; disgrace will not overtake us,” (Micah 2:9). Yet, Micah would be faithful to the truth.   Will God’s men be true to His message today, when people set their faces against us and raise their voices to oppose us?

Consider that we have a DIVINE CALLING. It was not that Micah sought to be a prophet, but that God sought him. We do not choose to be a preacher as a vocation among other options, but because it is thrust upon us by God’s sovereign decree.  If you look on preaching as merely a job to draw a paycheck, you are a hireling and not a true shepherd!

This means we have a DIVINE COMPULSION. God put a fire in Micah’s heart. The Lord ignites this fire in our bones that cannot be quenched by those trying to silence us. We are as a volcano with the pressure to preach building up inside us,  until we must erupt with the message. Jeremiah, when facing intense opposition, put it this way, “Then I said, ‘I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name.’ But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not.” (Jer. ‬20‬:‭9‬‬). 

The Lord has given us a DIVINE COMMUNICATION. God put a Word in Micah’s mouth. It was the word of the Lord that came to Micah. As he did not choose his occupation, he did not choose his proclamation. Our mandate is to, “Preach the Word!”  That is what Paul told Timothy, and by extension the Spirit demands of every preacher. People do not need our opinions crafted in oratorical splendor. They need the plain truth of Holy Scripture! Our words must be informed by His Word. 

The end of this is always a DIVINE CONSIDERATION. God put the truth in Micah’s mind. Micah’s name meant, “Who is like the Lord?”  His life was about seeking the answer to that question and setting forth insights that would bring people to consider more and more the person of God. The Word of God unleashed was to end in the God of the Word unveiled. The subject is inexhaustible for God is incomparable. Only as we know Him can we make Him known. 

The situation in which we are called and the station where we are set is a DIVINE CONTEXT. God put the place for Micah’s feet. He was, “of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.”  Moresheth was southwest of Jerusalem, near the Philistine border. It was farmland—rural and not metropolitan. He was a country preacher who was sent to the city. He was not a man of culture, like his contemporary Isaiah, but a man of agriculture!  Yet, in both cases, God set aside different men from different places to be used as His vessels.  The Sovereign God sets the context for our preparation. The experiences of life mold us into the man He wants us to be. The world needs city preachers like Isaiah, but also country preachers like Micah. Their backgrounds were different, but their message was the same (even identical, cf. Micah 4:1-3; Is. 2:2-4). 

The days in which Micah served were days of spiritual decline—with the exception being a time of revival in Hezekiah’s reign. Yet, even that would dramatically end with Hezekiah’s death and his degenerate son, Manasseh, coming to power. There have been few eras when preaching the truth was in favor. In our present context, we see that respect for Biblical preaching has dropped precipitously and we will likely see even church members moving from previous receptivity, to increasing apathy, and ending in outright hostility toward our message.  The world, of course, hates us already.

Preach the Word anyway!

WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOR

Many years ago I had a deacon pray for me, “Lord, may he preach without fear or favor.”  That expression made an impression on me and I have never forgotten it. 

That was the spirit of Peter and John as they faced opposition to their preaching. The very ones who had called for Christ’s crucifixion were then trying to silence His men who were preaching salvation in that cross—and the Risen Lord they hated. 

The Apostles boldly told them that they could not help it. They had a commission that brought the compulsion of their communication. You might as well try to stop a volcano from erupting as suppress that wondrous proclamation. Threaten the sun not to shine and it will go on shining.  

This does not give the preacher a license to berate, belittle, and badger the people. He speaks the truth in love. He is motivated by love, but does not shun to speak the truth. In fact, love does not excuse sin, but exposes it, for love knows that sin causes the greatest harm and truth points to the greatest good. 

Pleasing God is our ultimate goal—being faithful to Him and promoting His glory. That means that there will be some people who are displeased. Neverthless, may all God’s men preach without fear or favor!

LED THAT WE MIGHT LEAD

 

Joseph provides an example of how those in church leadership should be led by the Lord. We can only be effective if we are directed by Him. Unlike Joseph, we may not expect an angel to guide us, but we have God’s Word to speak to us and the Spirit of God to specifically apply the principles revealed in our current context. The issue in much of our leadership is not so much a failure of knowing what to do, but knowing it and failing to do it!  Certainly, we must ask God for clear direction, but my problem has often been knowing more than I have been doing!  

The three responses of Joseph, as underscored by Olford here are vital in being led that we might lead. Preacher, stand fast, shun fear, and show faith!  In these days of doctrinal and moral compromise, may God give us a backbone of steel—clarity and courage of conviction!

SWEET AND SOUR

 

The Word of God is our spiritual food. In Revelation 10, John is handed “the little book,” and told to eat it. Its contents will taste as sweet as honey to the lips, but sour to the stomach—bitter to digest. The message of Revelation is one that is a sweet word for it speaks to the end of sin and the victory of God, with the new creation. It is about heaven and the saints being in a place where there are no more tears!  Yet, it also presents a sour word for it reveals the end of sinners and the wrath of God, with the end of the old creation. It is about hell and the sinners being in a place where there are endless tears!

This is the double-edged sword of the Word. John was told to proclaim it, and every preacher has this duty. In so doing, there will be those who respond to the sweetness of its promises and rejoice in it. But, others will react with bitterness to its rebuke of their sin. Yet, the preacher is called to faithfulness in expounding that little Book as it is, and let the chips fall where they may. 

Before we ever step into the pulpit, however, we must apply the Word personally. The message must be digested by us, before it is declared by us. The truth is that Word will be often sour as it sinks into our flesh and takes us to the cross.  Our carnal nature will not want to swallow such a bitter pill. Preacher, take your own medicine, for you will find it also so sweet, as the Lord cleanses and comforts, raising you up to walk in newness of life and be joy to your spiritual nature. It is the road that takes us to glory, and we are privileged to preach it, that we might take others with us!  Yet, with a broken heart, we also realize there will be those who reject it, to their everlasting regret.

THEY DID NOT REPENT

 

Surely these are some of the most horrible words we find in Scripture. To think that so many would experience such pain—judgment due to their sin—and yet refuse to repent, chills us to the bone.

How often we may have shared the Gospel as plainly and powerfully as God’s Spirit enables us, yet sinners have resisted the message and turned away. In that turning, judicial hardening comes. The stab of the Spirit’s sword in the conscience, oft resisted, tends to callous the soul and such sharp conviction is not felt in the same manner—perhaps ever again.

The preacher may feel a failure at such point. His yearning is for sinners to repent. While it may be true that a preacher does not always bring his “A” game to the pulpit, the Gospel never fails. It is the sinner who fails—they hear, but do not repent.

Let us pray for the Spirit’s conviction to painfully prick hearts. Let us preach with passion and plead for souls to surrender to Christ. Let us present Jesus as clearly and convincingly as we may, yet know that many will reject the message, harden their hearts, and go to a place where there is weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth.

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! 

CONFRONTATIONAL PREACHING

There is a need to include rebuke in our preaching. We are not to be pugilistic in nature—always spoiling for a fight and yearning to beat people over the head with a Bible. Yet, the Scripture is called the Spirit’s sword for a reason. There will be enemies and at times these are not outside the church, but within it.

The old grizzled veteran, General Paul, carried many scars of past conflicts. He challenged the young Lieutenant, Titus, to stand up, speak up, and make his enemies stand down and shut up!

Consider first THE NATURE OF OUR FOE. We can identify the enemy. 

Such are described as, “insubordinate.”  They promptly resist the Word of God and those who preach it. Their sinful autonomy refuses to submit to Scriptural authority. 

They are, “idle talkers.”  These are renowned for the volume of their words—both in the loudness of their speech and the quantity of their words.

Worst of all, they are, “deceivers.”  Such are in league with the father of lies, Satan. False teaching marks them. It is a cancer in the church that must be surgically removed or it will kill a congregation.  You cannot just ignore it and hope it goes away. 

Weigh then, THE NECESSITY OF OUR FIGHT. Their “mouths must be stopped.”  You must confront it or such will, “subvert whole households.”  

If someone were to break into our house and threaten our family in the middle of the night, love would compel us to resist them by whatever means. False teaching places the church family in jeopardy.  The hope for the saints is in confrontational preaching. Likewise, it is the only hope for these sinners—in that a call to repentance might turn them from error to the truth and the salvation of their souls.

Titus was being sent to a difficult church field. It was hard ground, filled with weeds, and spiritually shallow, yet there would be a harvest if he would faithfully sow the seed. Fertile ground was there too.

There are times in our preaching we must be delicate with the straying—for they are a bruised reed and smoldering wick (Matt.12:20). A soft word and a gentle breath is needed. But, there will be those where we  “rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.”  We must be direct with the seductive. May God give us the discernment to know which to apply (Jude 22, 23).

FACING LIONS WITHOUT FEAR

Satan is pictured as a roaring lion seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8). We may be sure that his offspring—lions and lionesses, often in the church—will lurk, ready to pounce. Paul spoke of such here, and God’s servants will face them. You may hear their roar, smell the stench of their breath, and even feel the pain of their fangs clamping down on you and claws leaving you bleeding. Preacher, you will face lions—maybe dressed as deacons, or a slanderous woman—not only in the world, but in the church. Hope this encourages you to do as Paul, “so that the message might be preached fully through [you]”!  Do not back down and do not tailor the truth to fit the whims of the critics.  Paul tells us that we can face these lions without fear.  

We can STAND for the Lord stands with us. Get your eyes off the lion and look to the Lord.  Ravenous beasts are no match for Jesus Christ!  He is the Creator and Conqueror and since He is with us, we don’t have to flee in fear. He will never leave us nor forsake us.  Nehemiah was threatened and answered, “Should such a man as I flee?”  Stand your ground.

We are STRONG for our strength is from the Omnipotent. The power of the Spirit indwells us.  While in myself, I am weak—in His strength I am more than sufficient to overcome my adversaries.  They whimper and slink into the shadows when the Lion of Judah, King of the jungle of this world roars!

We are SECURE since none can truly harm us.  What is the worst an enemy might do—kill us?  But, our times are in God’s hands. He numbers our days and when He is through with us, by whatever means He sovereignty selects, He will take us home. Paul was spared from the lion before, but soon would lose his head!  Yet, He was secure in knowing that would only deliver him to glory and the greatest gain of all!  As Luther sang, “the body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still; his kingdom is forever!”

You can face the lion without fear!

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)

MAINTAINING YOUR MINISTRY

It is likely that you have watched an Olympic track meet. The runners place their feet in the starting blocks and listen for the starter’s pistol to fire. Getting off to a good start is vital, but a good finish means victory. It is possible to start strong, but then to stumble.  This is likewise true of ministry. 

Paul is speaking to a young man in ministry named Archippus. We know little of him. He is mentioned in Scripture perhaps only one other time.  Paul mentions him along with Philemon, and Philemon’s wife Apphia (v.1-2) “and to the church in your house.”  So, it would seem Archippus was their son. The Apostle further refers to him as “our fellow soldier.”  Thus, we may conclude that this was a preacher boy Paul had recruited for the Lord’s army. 

There are three exhortations suggested here for those of us who preach the Gospel and lead the church. 

First, TAKE HEED!  Paul says, “Take heed to the ministry.”  Have a solid conviction that God has called you. Revisit persistently that assignment and meditate on God’s mandate for you. Saturate your mind with the Word of God.  Be alert to danger about you—moral disqualification or doctrinal deviation. Satan is like a lion ready to pounce.  Take heed to the truth. 

Secondly, TAKE HOLD!  Paul speaks of, “the ministry which you have received in the Lord.”  The opportunity to serve Christ had been offered and young Archippus had responded with enthusiasm, reaching out his hand to receive the grace to do  Gospel ministry.  When we begin to just show up because it is expected or to show off only when others are watching, we are in danger of service slipping from our grasp. Cherish your call as a treasure and hold to it firmly and joyfully.  Take hold of the task. 

Thirdly, TREAD ON!  The Apostle urges, “fulfill it.”  The road will not always be smooth. There are potholes and perils. It is an uphill slog.  There are a few like Stephen who are Gospel sprinters whose race is short as they run into immediate crisis. Yet, as difficult as that is, most in ministry will find it a cross-country mountain marathon.  It is a race of ups and downs—a race of endurance. You dare not give out or give up.  Tread on with tenacity.

Man of God, maintain your ministry. Don’t quit!  Fulfill it—fill it full by taking heed to the truth, taking hold of the task, and treading on with tenacity.

HARD HEARTS AND HURTING HEARTS

How many points does your sermon have?  Every sermon should have one—and here I am not speaking of an outline, but an objective. John Newton stated his this way, “My grand point in preaching is to break the hard heart, and to heal the broken one.”  While Newton is best known for penning, “Amazing Grace,” he was not only a writer of hymns, but a preacher of the Gospel. We would do well to adopt his aim—for sitting in our congregation will be those hard hearts needing breaking and hurting hearts needing binding.

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?

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!

STUFF I’VE LEARNED THAT SEMINARY DIDN’T TEACH ME #30

Look for staff members that meet these four qualifications:

1) CHARACTER—This is foundational. No matter how good they are at their job, if they are not good in their soul—then, they are not qualified to serve the Lord and share the ministry. You can stop immediately, if you cannot check this box.

2) CONVICTIONS—This is akin to the first. There are to be a set of doctrines they believe and a lifestyle integrated with those.  There may be some minor disagreement out on a few peripheral matters, but not much.  The congregation must hear a consistent message from the staff. You can disagree on the millennium and both still go to heaven, but I wouldn’t want someone on the staff who is not eschatologically equivalent, for instance.  Do you perform marriages for those who have been married before? If one pastor does and another will not, this is potential conflict.  Does one have a conviction that total abstinence from alcohol is wise and the other does not have that belief—well, you see how this can be trouble.

3) COMPETENCE—Someone may be a good person and still not have the capacity to do what is required. They are being hired for a task. Can they grow into it?  Well, they should always be growing.  But, the question is: do they have the capability for such growth, how much growth is required, and do I have time to develop them. Maybe they are a diamond in the rough. Or perhaps they are a lump of coal that would take too long to become a diamond—if ever.

4) CHEMISTRY—Too often overlooked. You can check the first three boxes and if the chemistry is poor then they are a poor fit. This doesn’t mean you want a clone of yourself. Differences can be “iron sharpening iron.”  But, if you have trouble with their basic personality, remember that is not likely to change. Will this person be a joy to work with or a burden to avoid. They may be a round peg fitting into a square hole!

If you can check off these four boxes, then you have found a recruit for building a championship team!

GET REAL

I read this quote from Spiros Zodhiates in, "A Richer Life for You in Christ," his commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:

Said an archbishop to the manager of an acting group, "Tell me, how is it that you actors hold the attention of your audience so vividly that you cause them to think of things imaginary as if they were real, while we of the church speak of things that are real but our congregations take them as imaginary?"

"The reason is plain," answered the actor.  "We actors speak of things imaginary as if they were real; while too many in the pulpit speak of things real as if they were imaginary."  No wonder much preaching is both uninteresting and worthless. It was said of one famous old preacher, "He showed us the fires of hell, and then he swept our souls up to the gates of heaven."  When you talk about Christ, you have to believe in the transforming power of the Gospel if you expect to convince anyone else of its power to save. (p.17)   

Gentlemen, let us get real in our preaching or get out of the pulpit!