A PROPHETIC MINISTRY

 

Churches are often listed as non-profit organizations. Sadly, many have become “non-prophet” organizations. Can we find a prophet in the pulpit? James 5:10 exhorts, “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.” 

First, a word of clarification. Many times we think of a prophet as a foretelling the future, when the emphasis in Scripture is “forth-telling” the truth. In both the Old Testament and New Testament, we find those who unveiled God’s program for the end of the age.  These were a select few who were gifted for a specific season. Yet, much of what the prophets proclaimed confronted the contemporary spiritual state of the people. The preacher has a prophetic ministry in this sense today—not to reveal new truth, but to apply the already revealed truth to our age. 

Thus, the primary duty of a prophetic ministry is SPEAKING. James said, “My brethren, take the prophets, WHO SPOKE in the name of the Lord, as an example…”[emphasis added]. What good is a preacher who does not proclaim the Word of the Lord?  We are to preach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help us God!  We are not entertainers, but expositors. 

As prophets of old, we are to speak with exegetical authority, evangelical urgency, emotional fervency, and eschatological clarity. The prophetic ministry has an authority that is exegetical—that is, it is grounded on the Rock of the eternal Word of God and not the shifting sands of current culture. It has an urgency that is evangelical—a matter of life and death, heaven or hell as we call people to decision. It has a fervency which is expressed emotionally—so there is not a dull recitation, but a passionate proclamation.  Further, there will be a clarity resting in the revealed eschatological program of God for the consummation of the age.

In speaking, we must be prepared for SUFFERING. Again, we consider James 5:10,  “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of SUFFERING...”[emphasis added]. You can be a church celebrity if you engagingly tell the people what they want to hear. Yet, a prophetic ministry will not bring applause from most, as it comforts them with sin and calls them to repentance. 

The Word of God, thus clearly preached will be as popular as scales to a fat person or a mirror to an ugly one! Still, there are some who will purpose to get in shape and enhance their appearance because of the truth of the scales and the mirrors. But, whether people accept it or are angered by it, the preacher is to proclaim it. The prophetic preacher must be prepared for suffering, however, because the mob will rise against him.

Finally, James stresses the need for SUSTAINING. “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and PATIENCE,” [emphasis added]. If the preacher embraces his call to prophetic ministry, he has his eye on eternity. It is not short term success that seeks human applause, but the long goal of faithfulness and fruitfulness that secures heaven’s approval that is our focus. This will sustain us in the suffering that comes from our speaking.

It is easy to quit in the face of angry church members. It is more comfortable to back down and trim the truth to suit the desires of the congregation. It is easy to say, “Woe is me,” when the people arise against our message of, “Woe be to you,” and become bitter and harsh. Yet, we can sustain our calling; the prophets did it and God will enable us.

One of my Fruitland professors, the late William W. Willingham used to encourage us with this song, and I hope it will do so for you.

Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We're tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,
All tears forever over in God's eternal day.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,
We're tossed and driven on , no human help in sight;
But there is one in heav'n who knows our deepest care,
Let Jesus solve your problem - just go to Him in pray'r.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Life's day will soon be o'er, all storms forever past,
We'll cross the great divide, to glory, safe at last;
We'll share the joys of heav'n - a harp, a home, a crown,
The tempter will be banished, we'll lay our burden down.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,

So bravely run the race till we see Christ. (Esther Kerr Rusthoi)

GLORIFYING OUR FATHER

 

There is no greater imperative for us than to glorify God. While we know this applies to all believers, the elders of the church must set the example in this. Jesus told us how—abide in Him and bear much fruit.

Christ calls us to FRUITFULNESS, (John 15:1-8). As a branch is connected to the grapevine, life flows into it, and fruit is produced from it. Without this vital connection, there will be no fruit. Abiding in Christ is essential. We can work our fingers to the bone and collapse in exhaustion and all we have done equals nothing!  How much of our effort will go up in smoke at the Judgment Seat of Christ because it was done in the energy of the flesh!

Christ calls us to FELLOWSHIP, (John 15:9-17).  Abiding in Him means abiding in Christ’s love and experiencing His abiding joy. This is the fellowship from being in the Word and on our knees in prayer, along with an ongoing sense of His presence. While it is our duty to serve Him, it is more. Jesus calls us His friends. This elevates our work from duty to delight. Our motivation is not obligation alone. It is passion that comes from devotion to our Friend. This is fruit that remains.  It is of eternal worth.  In the words of the old hymn, “What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms!”

Christ calls us to FAITHFULNESS, (John 15:18-16:4). This is not the way to becoming popular with the world. When the life of Jesus is manifested in and through us, the world will react to us as it did to Him. There was hate and rejection. They cursed Jesus and crucified Him. We have not signed up for a picnic, but persecution. Christ-likeness ignites the fury of Satan and all his minions.   Will we back down and back up, or will we abide in Him and stand resolute?  In the flesh, we will falter. Yet, we have the Spirit of God as our Helper. By His abiding power we can be faithful.

 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬‬).

PERSECUTION AND PERSEVERANCE

 

Mystery Babylon has been with us since the flood and will be until the final days. Out of the polluted fountain of her false religion, every abominable belief system has flowed.  It will consummate in a global religion in the last days.

Although its form has manifested itself in varying ways, it is ultimately about deception versus truth, and thus, an assault on Him was is the True and Living God. The war is waged against Truth Incarnate—the Lamb of God.  Yet, we are confident that He will prevail and so we, as His followers, must persevere.

Not only must His preachers hold the sword of the Spirit—the Word of God—with firm grip, standing on the solid Rock of truth, but wield it against error. It is the theme of Spurgeon’s great call to arms in, “The Greatest Fight in the World.”  If you have not read it, you should get that book and immerse yourself in it today. It was the final manifesto from the “prince of preachers.”

Do you not know that men of God still suffer and are martyred for their faith?  In America, we may not have faced such, but the ominous storm clouds are gathering—a storm is at hand. 

Will we stand, if it breaks in our generation?  How often have we stood before our congregations and sung the invitation chorus, “The cross before me, the world behind me…no turning back.”  Are those empty platitudes, or do they express the conviction we hold? 

May the Lord give us grace to stand!  Victory is assured!

INVINCIBLE

Now after the king had burned the scroll with the words which Baruch had written at the instruction of Jeremiah, the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying: “Take yet another scroll, and write on it all the former words that were in the first scroll which Jehoiakim the king of Judah has burned.”  (Jeremiah 36:27-28)

How would you feel if on Sunday morning as you went to the pulpit, the deacon chairman grabbed your sermon notes, cut them up with scissors, and burned them right in front of the congregation?  Would you be sad?  Would you get mad?  Would you turn to flight?  Would you stand up and fight?

Jeremiah, the faithful prophet had been given a message for wicked King Jehoiakim.  He so despised God’s Word as to cut it into pieces and burn it in front of the court officials.  What did Jeremiah do?  He wrote the same message and added to it—a message of judgment for the king and his kingdom.  There is a time to speak to power.  If God gives us a message we dare not flinch in the face of opposition.  The Word of God is invincible!

Old John Bunyan believed that—and preached accordingly.  His arrest was ordered by the king of England, whose tyranny Bunyan had spoken against.  He was imprisoned for twelve years for preaching the Gospel.  His wife, Elizabeth, pleaded his case before the judges.  She was alone, raising their four children, and begged to have her husband released.  Of course Bunyan would be set free on only one condition—that he stop preaching.  Elizabeth’s response, “He dares not leave preaching, my lord, so long as he can speak.”  Was it so?  The judges pressed Bunyan for an answer and this was it: “If you free me today, tomorrow I will speak in the streets that all men have a right to worship God as conscience guides them, and that the state has no right to tell them how to worship.”  It was in the Bedford prison that Bunyan had a dream that was put to paper, and became the immortal, “Pilgrim’s Progress.”  The Word of God is invincible!

I do not know what you are facing, dear brother.  Maybe no one has burned your sermon notes, or cast you into prison for preaching.  Still, if we are faithful to the Word and speak out against the world—we know there will be hostility to some degree.  On the present trajectory in this nation, we are facing increasing opposition to the Gospel.  Some dear sister sits and scowls during your sermon.  A deacon verbally chastens you after the service.  You receive that dreaded anonymous letter attacking your ministry.  Just preach anyway.  Remember, the Word of God is invincible!

INSTANT INSPIRATION

 

“Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say.  ‎For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”  (Luke 12:11-12)

I cannot but wonder how I would respond if my life were threatened with persecution for the cause of Christ.  It would be easy to be full of bluster and self-confident today that I would surely stand then.  In reality, I have doubts—about myself.  That is where my faith must rest on the promise of Christ, and not in the power of man—for that is wholly inadequate.  There is a breaking point for me—and it might not be much—yet, there is limitless power in Him.

What would I say?  What would I do? 

Trials are coming; opposition is intensifying.  Al Mohler, the President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary said, "We will know very soon where every church and pastor stands on crucial questions. There will be no place to hide."   

We can speak up!  The Spirit promises instant inspiration—I need not plan ahead of time.  He will speak through me. The grace will be there when demanded—and not a minute before.  Truly, I have seen this miracle happen.  Although I have never faced a trial so severe as what Jesus alludes to here, I have been “put on the spot.”  Someone has challenged my faith, someone has attacked me verbally, or just the circumstances of life have driven me, so that I had to have instant inspiration—and the Spirit has given it!

A peril, however, is for the lazy pastor who wants to claim this promise out of context—and rather than study, squander his time on the trivial, and ask God for instant inspiration!  God does not bless sloth!  The late Bible teacher, John Phillips, commenting on these verses, and on that kind of folly in failing to prepare a sermon, writes, “The man who does not know what he is going to say five minutes before he gets up can be sire that most people will not remember what he said five minutes after he sits down.” (“Exploring the Gospel of Luke,” p.180).  In this case, the people will find their spiritual hunger unsatisfied by the small packet of instant inspiration we try to microwave and serve them!