HEADING FOR HOME

The old saying goes, “There’s no place like home!”  There is a restlessness—a longing—in every child of God for home. When I have been away on mission trips or revival services, those have been a blessing, but it is always good to get home. This world is not our home. Our home is heaven, and we long for it. We want to see our Father’s face. That is the thrust of 2 Corinthians 5. The Apostle speaks of “a building,” “a house,” “our habitation.”  Paul reminds us that wherever we are and whatever stage of our pilgrimage, we are heading for home.  

This SUSTAINS A GOOD CONFIDENCE, (v.1-10). Twice, the Apostle mentions we are, “confident,” (v.6, 8 ).  

This is our guarantee, (v.1-5).  “He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee,” (v.5). The hope of heaven is not just a possibility—it is a certainty!  God’s eternal Spirit indwelling us gives us the assurance, as the downpayment on our new home in heaven. 

How we long for home!  In this body we “groan,” as Paul twice underscores (v.2, 4). Yet, we know someday the groans will yield to glory!  This old house I live in now is in a state of decay. The fabric of this tent is wearing out. It will soon be unfit for habitation. So, God is preparing a new home for my soul. There we will be forever freed of life’s burdens!

This is our goal, (v.6-10), “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well-pleasing to Him,” (v.9). Each day on earth—no matter the temptations and trials—we can face the future with courage for we know that God is at work behind the scenes, guiding us through this world and preparing a place for us in the next. With this knowledge, we have the goal of pleasing Him, knowing that we are answerable to Him. The judgment seat of Christ awaits, where we will  gain reward or lose it, as our works are tested by fire as to the enduring quality of “gold, silver, precious stones,” or “wood, hay, straw,” (cf. 1 Cor.3:10-15). It is not a matter of whether we will get in to  heaven, but the degree of reward awaiting. Preacher, we do have a measure of responsibility to people, but ultimately our accountability is to God. Our goal is not to please a board, but the Lord!

Knowing that we are heading for home not only sustains a good confidence, but SUPPLIES A GREAT COMMISSION, “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” (v.18-20). 

This speaks of our motivation, (v.11-15). “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men,” (v.11a). This is our sacred why.  Because hell is hot and heaven is sweet, we recognize our accountability to share the Gospel. Love for our Lord and those who are lost compel us. We are not our own. We belong to Jesus. He has given us a mission. 

This points to our ministry, (v.16-20). “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,” (v.18). This is our sacred what. Though Jesus was fully God, He became fully man—now raised and ascended as forever glorified humanity. This means that in Him, we are not what we once were, and are forever changed. God has made us a new creation in Christ. As the Risen Lord was the same Jesus, yet different in His resurrection body, we are still the same person, but made new in regeneration—and more changes to come!  Because of what Christ has done, we who were sinners are now sons, reconciled to Holy God. He has appointed us His ambassadors. We are in a foreign land, representing our King. He wants peace with the citizens of this world. It is our task to extend the offer. While it is certainly true that each child of God is to share the Gospel, preachers must set the pattern. 

This presents us our message, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (v.21). This is our sacred word.  It may well be that this verse encapsulates the Gospel as well as any single text of Scripture. We have Christ’s incarnation, “He made him;” His qualification, “who knew no sin,” Christ’s substitution, “to be sin for us;” His justification, “that we might become the righteousness of God;” and His imputation, “in Him.” This is “the word of reconciliation,” (v.19b).  Man of God, wherever you begin your sermon make sure you end it at the cross!

THE PREACHER’S PERFORMANCE

For the twenty five years I served as a minster at Pole Creek Baptist Church, I was subject to an annual review by the Personnel Committee—as were all our staff. It was not a bad time, but productive as a time of self-reflection and objective evaluation. I first had to fill out a form sharing progress toward the previous year’s goals and setting forth what I believed God was directing me to do in the year to come. 

But, the truth is, people are always scrutinizing us and judging us. It is not an annual matter, but a daily one. Each week they judge our sermons as to content and delivery. They look at our work and judge us as successful or failing. They not only look at what we do but the way we do it—evaluating actions and attitudes. 

The reality is that you cannot please everyone. Not even a champion like Paul was immune from criticism. People have their favorite preachers, and it can become political, as Paul confronted in the Corinthian church in the prior chapter. 

So, what about the preacher’s performance?

Consider OUR REQUIREMENT, “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” (v. 1-2).

We are required to be servants of the Savior—“servants of Christ.” Church folk will have an expectation that we serve them. Yet, our duty is to serve our Master—and that will, of course, lead us to serve the members. The key, however, is that we are not seeking to be people-pleasers, but rather to please our Lord. This gets to our motivation. We are not hirelings, who labor for earthly payment, but we are shepherds who toil for eternal reward. 

We are also required to be stewards of the Scripture—“stewards of the mysteries of God.”  Good shepherds are faithful to feed the flock of God. The sheep need the Word of God. Our call is to stay true to the sound doctrine delivered to us and to fearlessly proclaim it. We hope the congregation will receive it, but the reality is that the Lord will review it. 

What does God require of the preacher?  Paul says it is, “that they be found faithful.”  We cannot always assure fruitfulness, but we can pursue faithfulness.

Thus, we should expect OUR REVIEW, “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart.” (v. 3-5a).

There will be human judgment. “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court,” (v. 3a).  You do not have to ask—judgment will be shared. Sometimes it will be to your face, and at other times behind your back. The preacher will hear words of commendation and condemnation. It is not all that unusual for a preacher to be tempted to puff up when he receives accolades. On the other hand, his bubble may burst with the sharp word of criticism. Some brand us a hero and others count us a zero. The reality is we are more likely somewhere in the middle. Yet, Paul refused to even render a final judgment based on his own self-reflection, “In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted.“ (v. 3b-4a). Why?

There will be heavenly judgment. “It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart.” (v. 4b-5a).  This is the ultimate “performance review.”  Only God is qualified to render absolute judgment on our ministry, for only He is omniscient. The truth is that if others knew us like we know ourselves, then they would not think as highly of us as they do!  Yet, there are times we think we have failed, and God will find us faithful. We do not even see all the results—nor do we always grasp our motive. To God, what we do is important, but also why we do it. 

Ultimately, we will see OUR REWARD, “Then each one will receive his commendation from God,” (v. 5b). 

There will be this consideration. In the preceding chapter, the Apostle has noted that at the Judgment Seat of Christ, our works will be tried by holy fire. Sadly, I fear much of what I have done will be consumed as wood, hay, and straw. Hopefully, there will also be that which is revealed as gold, silver, and gems—worthy of eternal reward. 

This brings the commendation. God gets the final word. What we may discover is that some country pastor will be summoned to the front of the line—a man who labored in obscurity—and he is shocked to receive great reward. Then, we may witness some celebrity preacher who is sent to the back of the line—a man who worked in notoriety—and he is sad to receive little reward. Who knows?

God knows. 

There will be reason for all to celebrate the grace of God that enables us to do anything. Truthfully, we confess as servants, “So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” (Lk. 17‬:‭10‬‬).  Honestly, we confess as stewards that our gifts and opportunities come from God—that we neither deserve them, nor earn them.

There is a crown for the preacher to seek. Peter mentions this in 1 Peter 5:1-4. “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

Yet, what will the elders do with those crowns of glory?  In heaven, “the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ‘Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.’” (Rev.‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬-‭11‬). Our motive in seeking this crown is to glorify the Lord God who chose such unworthy servants and blessed us with an amazing stewardship.

Let us then be true and faithful—and leave the judgment to God.

THE PROCLAMATION OF THE PREACHER

 

When a preacher speaks—whether in the pulpit or outside it—his words convey not only the content of Scripture, but of his own heart. Jesus was addressing a group of “preachers,” called Pharisees. They were twisting truth to build their own kingdom rather than the kingdom of God, and Christ called them a “brood of vipers!”  They were the spawn of the old Serpent, the Devil.  Let us explore further the Lord’s message in Matthew 12:33-37.

Consider THE POTENTIALITY OF OUR SPEECH.  “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit,” (v.33).  Our words have such potential for help or harm. The fruit that our words produce will be good or bad, but never neutral. Faithfulness to the Scriptures will yield fruitfulness in the saints. Likewise, if our message is perverse, the fruit will be poisonous!  It is poison for it contains the venom of the Serpent.

There is also THE TRANSPARENCY IN OUR SPEECH.  “You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.” (v.34-35).  The fruit from our sermons will be evil or good depending on the root of our speech. What we say is a window into our soul. There is a transparency when we speak. When a preacher fills his heart with the study of and submission to the Scriptures, there will be treasure to give to those in the congregation. Likewise, if he is Biblically bankrupt in content and conduct, he will impoverish his audience.

Weigh THE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR OUR SPEECH. “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (v.36-37). What a serious and searching reality!  Those who sit in the audience will evaluate our sermons. It is possible to gather a great throng by telling them what they want to hear in appealing to their carnal passions. Likewise, we can build up people in the faith by our fearless and faithful preaching of Scripture. This may or may not increase the numbers of hearers, but is assured to increase the faith of those who receive the Word, and for that we will give account at the Judgment Seat.  Whatever sentence the congregation passes on our preaching, what ultimately matters is the sentence that Christ proclaims about our preaching!

THE MAIN THING

 Repeatedly, I have preached from this text when I have been considered by a church to serve as their pastor. I wanted them to know up front, before they extended a call to me, the focus of my ministry. Keeping the main thing the main thing is a challenge. Yet, by God’s grace these must be our priorities in ministry.  

THE PRIORITY OF BUILDING, “building yourselves up on your most holy faith.”  We are to be body builders. While it is true that Jesus builds His church, we have a choice to practice the spiritual disciplines that will build our faith and that of others. It is foundational to ministry—a passion to grow the people in spiritual health and God will bring the numerical growth.

THE PRIORITY OF PRAYING, “praying in the Holy Spirit.”  All our efforts will be in vain unless energized by God’s power—and that power comes through prayer. Otherwise, we are on a religious treadmill—running hard but never getting anywhere.  The pastor must be a man of prayer and call the church to be a house of prayer.

THE PRIORITY OF LOVING, “keep yourselves in the love of God.”  To love God and our neighbor is the great commandment. We must fuel the fire of love. Recall Paul’s words, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal,” (1 Cor.13:1). Eloquence in preaching cannot mask the absence of love from a preacher’s heart.  Never compromise your convictions, but stand and speak them with compassion.

THE PRIORITY OF LOOKING, “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”  All we do is meant to be in view of eternity.  We must serve as those who will give account at the consummation of the age. The precious souls in our charge are to be reminded that this world is not our home. They are more likely to be looking up and looking ahead, if we demonstrate that ourselves and declare it in our messages.

THE PRIORITY OF REACHING, “And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.”  Some sinners we reach are broken people, open to the Gospel, and will respond to the good news eagerly. But, we must make a distinction, for others are hardened in apathy, or will even respond with hostility to the Gospel. We must prioritize the former, while not neglecting the latter.  

As they are on the precipice of a fiery hell, we must pull them out of the inferno of iniquity. Yet, as we reach out to them in their wicked environment, we must be cautious about being defiled by the same. Loving sinners means hating sin—as we see its destructive nature.  Be as sure of their true repentance and seek evidence of regeneration before bringing them into the church, lest they be wolves in sheep’s clothing and bring harm to the flock. This calls for discernment and it is our duty as shepherds.

My prayer for you:  “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.”  (Jude‬ ‭1:24-25‬‬)

PLEASING THE ONE THAT MATTERS

Some preachers are pugilistic by nature—always ready to duke it out over some deviance in a doctrine they detect. They are always right and come hell or high water, they will let you know it!  They automatically look at other ministries with a magnifying glass, persistently scouring for what they perceive is a bit of dirt while seldom examining their own.  

But, most of us are not that way. We enjoy tranquility in the church. It is easier to go along and get along. When someone in the congregation is upset, so are we. It is a short distance to slip into being a man-pleaser, where the opinions of others gradually arise to become preeminent. That is deadly in ministry. It leads to compromise. 

Paul gives us the proper balance between these two errors: strive to please the One that matters. Now, that is not your wife, though we should be concerned about her opinions. In fact, I have found that listening to her at times is the way God directs. Neither is it the deacon chairman or some other prominent member in the congregation that we must heed at all costs. Certainly, there are times we may find such a good sounding board and their backing may be profitable in some significant direction to which we are leading. 

The reality is, though, that if you seek to please God, you will inevitably displease some people, perhaps many people.  The bottom line is this—pleasing the Master and not pleasing man is our goal. We have the ultimate accountability to Him. There is coming that dreadful day that we stand before a Holy God who knows all our thoughts, words, and deeds, even able to discern the very intent of why we did what we have done. 

We do not work for the church, but for Christ who is Lord of the church. If we are obedient to Him, the congregation may follow us or fire us, but that is secondary to the primary duty of pleasing Him!  Men, let us seek to serve each day with eternity in view. 

Blessed Lord, deliver us from being men-pleasers and motivate us to seek to be well pleasing to You!