SEEING A SERMON

 

We have all heard the expression, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”  When God sent His Son as the Incarnation of Himself, Jesus was, “The Word made flesh.”  Certainly, Christ spoke the truth about God, but He also showed the truth of God. To see Him was to see the Father. 

While the preacher will not accomplish this absolutely as Jesus did, nevertheless our objective is in speaking the Word in our communication of it, to also show the Word in our submission to it. Paul calls on us to do so in Philippians 3:16, “Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.”

There must be OUR DECLARING OF TRUTH, “Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained…”. This is the apprehension of the Word of God.  We have attained a degree of truth, and should persistently seek to apprehend the message increasingly—to get a grip on the truth in such a way that the truth grips us. If the sermon does not move us, we may be sure it will not stir the people!  This is what it means to apprehend something, and in this case, it is to understand the meaning of the text. We grow our people as we grow in our understanding and help them to do so. Yet, with the clarity of God’s revelation, there comes responsibility—for the preacher, as well as the people, to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only,” (James 1:22). That brings us to our second point. 

There must also be OUR DEMONSTRATING OF TRUTH, “let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.” This is the application of the Word of God. The rule of truth is established to gauge the straightness of our walk. The revelation of truth is expounded to grow the measure of our understanding. The old cliche’ is, “Practice what you preach.”  The familiarity of that phrase does not lessen the necessity of its performance.  This is the hardest part of preaching. While grasping the meaning of the text and conveying it in a clear and compelling manner is a challenge, the rubber meets the road when we not only share the sermon, but show the sermon.  Am I not a hypocrite if I urge the people to do something (read Scripture, pray, evangelize, give, pursue holiness, etc.) that I will not?  This is expressed in a poem by Edgar Guest.

Sermons We See

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day; 
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way. 
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear, 
Fine counsel is confusing, but example's always clear; 
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds, 
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it if you'll let me see it done; 
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run. 
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true, 
But I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do; 
For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give, 
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

When I see a deed of kindness, I am eager to be kind. 
When a weaker brother stumbles and a strong man stays behind 
Just to see if he can help him, then the wish grows strong in me 
To become as big and thoughtful as I know that friend to be. 
And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today 
Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way.

One good man teaches many, men believe what they behold; 
One deed of kindness noticed is worth forty that are told. 
Who stands with men of honor learns to hold his honor dear, 
For right living speaks a language which to every one is clear. 
Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say, 
I'd rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.

BEFORE I GO: Some Final Instructions, Part 3–KEEP TRUE

 

America is in a perilous position. The nation has faced many assaults in the past. Growing government tyranny and the attack on cherished freedoms such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the right to bear arms, along with the decline of our economy and open borders—while embracing the butchering of babies in the womb and parading of perversion in the streets is horrifying.  I commented recently to a lady who mentioned this that, it is “national suicide!”  

The church is no longer looked upon as a benefit to society, but an enemy. How will the church respond to living in an antagonistic world?  The choice of many churches is to cave to the culture by compromise. At first they grow quiet while still claiming to maintain their convictions. Yet, it is only a matter of time until such churches take the next step away from the faith. 

That is a bleak picture, and mirrors the one Paul paints here. The encouragement is that the church in its infancy grew and flourished in a pagan culture where they were hated and hurt.  So, may we.  

Jesus promised that His church would march to victory and the gates of hell would not be able to withstand her. Paul was in bonds, but the Gospel was not bound (2:9). He was leading prison guards and prisoners to faith, and some of those soldiers would wind up as Imperial guards and witnesses to those of Caesar’s household!  He was penning powerful words that are still changing lives today. 

There are foes we must face and a weapon we must wield as we examine 2 Timothy 3.

First, we will consider THE FOES WE MUST FACE (v.1-9). The Apostle warns that difficult times are coming. I believe they are right around the corner. I pray I am wrong, but I am persuaded that I am right. We face a foe that is mostly overt and one that is more covert. 

One foe we face is the hostility of the world (v.1-5). Watch the news on TV.  Go out into public. What Paul describes here might as well be America in the 21st century. 

Rather than loving people and using money, we will love money and use people as “lovers of self” and “lovers of money” (v. 2a).  Arrogance will be apparent as mankind is “proud” and “abusive,” (v. 2b). 

There is disrespect of authority, beginning in the home, “disobedient to parents,” (v. 2c), and defiance at home breeds disregard of heaven, “ungrateful, unholy...” (v. 2d)—rejecting our earthly fathers translating into rejection of the Eternal Father. Then follows despising His rule and throwing off moral restraint (v.3-5). Religion will be present, but an empty shell—mere ritual with deadening effect. 

This leads from the hostility of the world, which is overt, to that which is covert—the subtlety of the wayward (v.6-9). The devil manifests himself at times as a roaring lion seeking to strike fear into his prey.  On other occasions, he is a sneaky snake that crawls in and waits in the darkness before injecting its deadly venom of sin into the victim. This is how the serpent attacked Eve—first to doubt the accuracy of the Word of God with a question, “Did God actually say?” (Gen. 3:1) and then to deny the authority of the Word of God with a contradiction, “You will not surely die,” (Gen. 3:4).

The Devil uses creeps—“those who creep into households and capture weak women,” (v. 6a). They creep in on a podcast, a popular book, and so forth. If discernment is not exercised, they will be, “ever learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth,” (v. 7).  

The Apostle had previously warned, 

“Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.” (1 Tim.2:11-15). 

The culture is increasingly feminized—masculinity is under attack as “toxic”—and this spirit is growing in the church in the name of equality. Of course, there is equality of dignity among men and women!  Neither sex is to be valued above the other. Yet, while there is no difference in dignity and worth, there is a difference in duty and work. We have different roles. 

The elders of the church are to be men who are the gatekeepers of sound doctrine while the women are to be the homemakers of young disciples. Timothy’s faith had been birthed and built due to the effort of his godly mother and grandmother, (cf. 2 Tim. 1:5). Women have a different role in the church and men have a different role in the home—neither less essential, but not identical.  

Beware of counterfeits like Jannes and Jambres who opposed Moses with their fake miracles, (v. 8-9). They really didn’t seem that different on the surface, but at the heart it was the distance between heaven and hell. They learn it in a liberal seminary and export it to the local sanctuary. Little by little, they inject the serpent’s venom into the church with deadening effect.

How can we endure the hostility of the world and overcome the subtlety of the wayward?  There is THE WEAPON WE MUST WIELD (v.10-17). The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God.  This is how Jesus conquered Satan, and so must we with, “It is written!”  

This mighty weapon must be wielded with endurance (v.10-15). Paul stresses endurance in v.10, 11, and the need to “continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed” (v.14). This is my call to you today—“Keep true!”  It is a fight to the finish.  

In those days, soldiers engaged in hand to hand combat, and endurance was demanded. This is true spiritually. How many have we seen who wearied of the fight, were wounded in the battle, and finally have thrown down the sword in surrender to the enemy? I first heard Warren Wiersbe say, “This world is not a playground; it is a battleground!”  

The enemy is strong and on the march. Persecution is likely to become an increasing reality.  Paul mentions it in v.11 twice and again in v.12. We have known a period of protection in America and the church has become flabby and soft.  I heard a preacher, Stuart Briscoe talking about the difference between our churches and other churches in places across the ocean that suffer persecution. I paraphrase, “In the west, we face problems and cry, ‘O God, take these burdens off my back.’ And in the east they pray, “O God, make my back strong to bear these burdens.”  

The period of protection eventually yields to a period of persecution. The world is not going to get better (v.13). Those of us who are saved will endure. The seed of Scripture has brought us faith in Jesus—and that is eternal life (v.14-15). 

This is the message which we must share with endurance and can do so with confidence (v.16-17). We can be confident in the perfection of the Word (v.16a). It is God breathed.  As God breathed into Adam and made Him a living soul, He has breathed into His prophets during the Old Testament era and His apostles in the New Testament age so that what they wrote down is a supernatural Book filled with miraculous power. 

We can be confident in the perfection of the Word, and in the profit of the Word (v.16b). It is profitable for doctrine, “teaching.”  Our beliefs are based on the Bible. It is profitable for discipline, “reproof.”  Our rebellious nature must be broken—and Scripture chastens us. It is profitable for direction, “correction.”  A light for our path to correct our wandering tendency and direct us from the path of sin and onto the path of sanctification. It is profitable for dedication, “for training in righteousness.”  Moody proposed, “This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book.”  

We can be confident in the perfection, profit, and purpose of the Word (v.17). The purpose of the Word is to make us “complete,”—that is, spiritually mature; capable, “equipped,”—trained for the task; committed, “for every good work”—and this is real success as God sees it.

Have you received the seed of salvation—the Word of the Gospel which brings faith in Jesus Christ?  If so, have you publicly confessed that faith?  The lines are being drawn. We get on one side or the other. It is time to take a stand for Jesus. 

Having received salvation, are you standing tall and staying true?  Is there an unwavering commitment to follow Jesus?  We must swim against the current of the culture or be swept back. 

A solid Bible-believing church is the place for the reinforcing of that faith. There you will be taught the Word of God. You will be encouraged in your walk with God. If you are not a member of such a church, why not?  If you join such a church, you can seek to keep true together!

Maybe you are in a liberal church. You don’t like it, but tolerate it. You argue, “But my grandparents are buried in the graveyard!”  The fact is that they would leave if they could. A former generation would find it heartbreaking to see what many churches degenerate into by the erosion of faith.

BEFORE I GO: Some Final Instructions, Part 1—HOLD ON!

If you knew that today would be your last day on earth, what would you want to say to those you love?  That is what we have in Paul’s last letter in 2 Timothy. The Apostle was on death row, and wanted to give his young protege some final instructions for the church.  His first call is to “Hold on!”  He exhorts Timothy, “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1:13). How can we hold on?

BY GROUNDING IN FAITH (v.1-7). Paul mentions the “sincere faith” (v. 5), the genuine faith in Christ that Timothy had received in his home that flowed from his grandmother Lois, to his mother Eunice, and now to him. 

This is the ground upon which a life, a home, a church must be built—the solid Rock of Jesus Christ, whom we have received by a sincere faith. Is yours a “sincere faith” that fits you for heaven? Peter enjoined, “be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election,” (2 Pet.1:10). Having your name on a church membership roll won’t matter if it isn’t written in heaven in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  

Hear the words of Jesus in Matt.7:21-27. 

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’  Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

I am haunted by the fact that some people who have sat in pews under my preaching, or read these words that I am posting, will hear those awful words, “Depart from me.”  If the foundation is not stable, then nothing else you do will stand.

Hold fast by grounding in faith, but also BY GROWING IN GRACE (v.8-12). The Apostle underscores the manner of salvation as the grace of God that has been bestowed on us (v.9). 

This is God’s free gift.  If we are saved, it is not based on anything we have done, but on Him.  If you could lose your salvation, you would. But, it isn’t our commitment to Christ, but His commitment to us that takes believers from start to finish (v.12). We can hold on because He holds on to us!  

Yet, there is always a danger that the fire of passion for Jesus may become a faint flicker (v.6). That devotion to Christ will require fueling.  Do you need to be rekindled today?  God’s Spirit is within us to empower us (v.7). 

I’ve heard that some of us have Christianity like an old iron bedstead—firm on both ends and sagging in the middle!  We are firm on the front end that God saves us from hell, and firm on the back end that He will save us for heaven, but right now we are sagging! 

God’s purpose in giving us grace, is not to sit, but to serve (v.11). When can we stop growing and going? Not, “until that Day” (v.12). The old hymn exhorts: “We’ll Work ’Til Jesus Comes.”  That is God’s intention for each of us. We may retire from a job, but we can only retire from serving Christ when Jesus comes for us.  Our retirement community is called, “Heaven!”

So hold on by grounding in faith, growing in grace, and BY GRIPPING THE TRUTH (v.13-18). Paul is saying to this young preacher boy to get an unbreakable grip on the truth—sound doctrine and systematic theology.  

Greek scholar Kenneth Wuest commented, “Particular words are to be retained and used so that the doctrinal statements of the truth may remain accurate and a norm for future teachers and preachers.”  

Do you have a grip on the meaning of words like, “justification, reconciliation, sanctification, glorification,” and what do you believe about the nature of God, the work of Christ, the person of the Spirit, the authority of Scripture, the mission of the church, etc.?  

False teachers are to be condemned (v.15). They are a cancer to be cut out!  

Faithful workers are to be commended (v.16-18). Nothing so refreshes a preacher as to see those who serve diligently!

It burdens me at times when I see a post on social media or hear someone quote some false teacher—a doctrinal deviant!  But, it blesses me when I see those who are solid in sound doctrine—who immerse themselves in truth and teach it.  That is refreshing!  

Pastors need refreshing!  We get weary and worn and weak.  We are not super human.  I want you to make a commitment today to be a refresher to your pastor. So many have been to me!  To all my pastor friends reading this—particularly those men who lead the Haywood Baptist Association member churches that I serve—know that I am here for you and praying for you!

Do you have a genuine faith?  If you were to die today and stand before the Lord, and He asked you, “Why should I let you into my heaven?” what would you say?  I prayed a prayer.  I got baptized. I try to be a good person.  I believe in God. All that is good, but will not get you into heaven. A genuine faith is grounded in the work of Jesus Christ.  You look to Him alone for your salvation. 

Do you have a real faith, but it needs to be rekindled?  Will you recommit yourself to be faithful until Jesus calls you home?

Are you committed to studying the Word, submitting to it, and sharing it?  Will you say today, “I am going to be a refresher!”

A SACRED STEWARDSHIP

Pastors have a sacred stewardship. Paul underscores this by his personal example and pointed exhortation in 1 Timothy 1. He speaks of “the stewardship from God that is by faith,” (v. 4). A steward was one who was “entrusted,” (v. 11) with his master’s riches as a household manager. This was his “charge,” (v. 5, 18)—the “appointing…to his service,” (v. 12). In this case, Paul was entrusted with the glorious Gospel. Paul testifies that His Master, “Christ Jesus our Lord…judged me faithful,” (v. 12). Now, he will say to his young protege, “This charge I entrust to you Timothy,” (v. 18). This is the sacred stewardship of every God-called preacher.

The Apostle begins with THE GREETING, (v. 1-2). This is more than a formality, but sets the context for this pastoral letter. Paul immediately identifies himself as the author, speaking with authority as “an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus our hope,” (v. 1). He is fulfilling his calling by enlisting and equipping “Timothy, my true child in the faith,” (v. 2). It is vital to the church’s continued witness to raise up future leaders. As an apostle, Paul is not offering good suggestions about what might work in a local church, but demanding God’s essentials as imperatives. 

God is our Savior—the Father who has ordained salvation’s plan, and Christ Jesus is our hope—the One who is the object of faith who has brought redemption. Our only hope is in a relationship with Him by faith in Him. Now, we have the responsibility to carry that message to the ends of the earth. Through the preaching of the Gospel, we are regenerated as Timothy, “a true child in the faith,” (v. 2a). 

The Gospel is one of “grace.”  We receive what we could never deserve—heaven. It is one of “mercy.”  We do not receive what we do deserve—hell. The Gospel is one of “peace.”  God is no longer at war with us, as we have surrendered to Him. Peace with God flows from the grace and mercy we have experienced. This is the Gospel we are to faithfully proclaim.

Next, Paul warns of THE GODLESS, (v. 3-10). Timothy is warned of those who would dilute the truth with liberalism or distort the truth with legalism—but, either way, godless messengers preach a perverse message and promote godlessness in their hearers.  False teachers will either subtract from the Gospel or add to the Gospel—and, thus, subvert the Gospel.

Satan does not always undermine the church by direct confrontation, but often through subtle infiltration. They “teach…different doctrine,” of “myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations,” (v. 3-4). The faithful preacher must found his message and fortify the members on the pure Gospel of Christ. This means he will not only speak the truth, but confront its twisting by false teachers. 

Older pastors have the duty to the church to raise up younger men who are throughly vetted, solidly instructed, and consistently monitored as to their faithfulness to the Gospel. The results will be “love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith,” (v. 5). 

“Swerving,” from the truth, (v. 6) is to wind up in a wreck.  Satan does not care which ditch he diverts the pastor into—liberalism or legalism—the church is off the straight and narrow road of truth.  The opposite effect of the Gospel is experienced: schism instead of “love,” a perverse heart instead of “a pure heart,” a guilty conscience instead of “a good conscience,” and fraudulent faith instead of “a sincere faith.”  False teachers may speak eloquently and carry an air of authority, but they have “wandered away into vain discussion…without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions,” (v. 6-7). 

Paul hits the matter of legalism head on in verses 8-10. The law of God is good for it is of God who is only good. It is an expression of His holiness. The problem is not in the law, but in us. We cannot keep it. An external code can condemn us, but cannot change us. That can only be accomplished by the Gospel which internally transforms us. The proper preaching of the law is meant to convict us of sin and call us to salvation in Christ alone. It is meant to drive us in despair to Him.

This brings us to THE GOSPEL, (v. 11-20). Our preaching is to be “in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which [we] have been entrusted,” (v. 11). This is the sacred stewardship of the preacher. The law is only bad news as it condemns us, but this message is good news—the literal meaning of “gospel,” in that is converts us. It is glorious for it is all of God’s grace and thus for His glory. We are accountable to Him for faithfulness in preaching it, (v. 12).

Paul bears testimony to the power of the Gospel that transformed him. He had been “a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent,” of Christ, (v. 13a). But the Lord had extended “mercy,” in his ignorance and unbelief, (v. 13b). Overflowing grace washed him as he came to faith in Christ and love for Christ, (v. 14). It was a radical change from a man who saw himself as the foremost of sinners, (v. 15). He is an example of the difference the Gospel makes, (v. 16). How grateful we should be for God’s “patience,” in bringing us to Himself and exclaim with the Apostle, “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (v.17). 

Paul concludes by driving home the seriousness of our stewardship, (v. 18-20). We are on a battleground not a playground, (v. 18). We must be tenacious in holding onto faith and a good conscience. The church is a Gospel battleship, and to fail to chart a straight course is to make “shipwreck of…faith.” Paul pointedly presents Hymenaeus and Alexander as false teachers. They had been excommunicated from the church—where Satan would hurt them, in hopes that the discipline would bring them to repentance and restoration, (cf. 1 Cor. 5).  We had best take the stewardship of the Gospel seriously, for it is evident that God does!

TRUTH THAT FREES

I was reading this devotional from the late Stephen Olford and wanted to share it with you:

“The truth shall make you free.” – John 8:32 

It is interesting to note the working powers of the Word of God or Truth as revealed in this Gospel. Here are just a few: 

Its Liberating power. “The truth shall make you free.” The Word of God is that which snaps all chains of bondage. 

Its Pruning power. “You are already clean [pruned] because of the word which I have spoken to you” (John 15:3). This is pruning for greater fruitfulness. 

Its Sanctifying power. “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17). Herein lies the secret of a sanctified life. 

Its Rejoicing power. “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:17). The keeping of His commandments has a special reward of happiness for the obedient believer. 

Thank You, Lord, for the liberating power of Your Word.  May Your Word have its way in my life. 

(According to Your Word, p. 76, Kindle Edition)

This is a reminder of another reason to preach the Word of God faithfully and fervently. It is the truth that sets people free!  During almost half a century of preaching, I have seen this again and again in people’s lives. May God give you liberty as you proclaim it with expectancy tomorrow!

TURNED BY TRUTH

 

How did we ever get anywhere without GPS?  I get in my car and tell Siri where I want to go, and directions are spoken me. I am told of hazards to avoid, and navigated to my destination.

Preachers are to be like that. We are meant to navigate people accurately through this world and into the world to come. Zechariah is told by the angel Gabriel that his son John will be such a messenger of God.  He will turn them with truth. 

The problem is that we are all headed the wrong direction. Sin has brought darkness and we cannot see the way. To continue on that path is to end in the wreckage of wickedness—a fiery crash. People must be turned by truth. John would do that. Truth would turn me to God, and now it is my job to direct others. 

We turn the hearts of sinners to the Father. This is the basic course correction required. Gospel truth has the power to do so. John would minister in that spiritual power, as had the prophet Elijah. You recall that Old Testament man of God and how he called a depraved culture to turn from paganism to the Living God. Sadly, many would not, but some did.  For most it made no difference, but for those who responded it made all the difference. John the Baptist would point people to the Lamb of God—the Lord Jesus. Preacher, are you confronting sin and calling for repentance?

Further, we turn the hearts of fathers to their children. The home is the discipleship factory. When fathers turn to God, their hearts are directed to evangelizing their children. I cannot imagine a dad who is right with God who would not have a passion to bring his children to heaven with him. Yet, fathers must be encouraged and equipped. That is the church’s role, and it begins with the pastor in the pattern he sets and the principles he shares.

Thus, like John, we turn people from being disobedient to being justified. This is accomplished by the truth of God’s Word faithfully proclaimed. We prepare people to meet God.

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!

MODELS IN MINISTRY

 

John writes as an elder (v.1). Doubtless, he is that in age, but he is also that in leadership. He is a spiritual father to God’s people. His desire is for the prosperity of the flock (v.2). He is especially thrilled when the church is walking in the truth (v.3-4). He affords an excellent model for ministry.

John begins with COMMENDATION. 

This letter is directed to his beloved Gaius—Gaius the Generous (v.5-8). This man loved the Lord and loved people—and put his money where his mouth was. In particular, he supported the missionaries and evangelists who came through on their journey. Jesus gave us one mission—the Great Commission, as we call it. We should imitate Gaius in giving to get the Gospel out.

John also commends Demetrius (v.12). I call him Demetrius the Devout. His devotion to Christ was a compelling example for all.  When you took the plumb line of truth and held it up beside him, he was in alignment with God’s Word. He sets a standard for us to follow.

Yet, John also brings CONFRONTATION.  There is another man in the church that needed to be confronted for his wickedness. I refer to him as Diotrephes the Dictator (v.9-10). His ego was extraordinary. He was a church boss—and for him it was, “My way or the highway.”  You groveled before him or you were driven out of the church. His works were diabolical and his words were demonic.  God calls us to lead the sheep and not drive them as cattle.

There was more that John might have said (v.13-14), but this is enough for now. Here is the bottom line, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.” (v.11).  

An elder of the church should follow John’s pattern—commending the good and confronting the bad—fearless in our stand for the truth. We should exemplify generosity and devotion as Gaius and Demetrius.  The sad reality is that some church leaders have a swollen head and shrunken heart like Diotrephes. In that case, one should check their spiritual birth certificate. What model for ministry will we follow?

WALKING AND WARRING

“I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.”  (2 John‬ ‭1:4, 10-11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

The preachers and teachers of the church are to promote and preserve doctrinal soundness.   That begins by insuring we ourselves are committed to being guided by and growing in truth, as well as guarding against error creeping into our minds and messages.

Error does not usually enter the congregation as a growling wolf, but in pretense of being a gentle sheep—a wolf dressed in sheep’s wool.  Discernment is needed by the watchmen of the Word who are posted to prevent such from access to the flock.  A podcast shared, a book promoted, and such is all that is required for heresy to gain access to the church house.

Usually, there is little deviation. What is said sounds mostly right—and it is typically stated in a very appealing manner, with Bible verses attached to it. But think of it this way: a ship setting sail from New York’s harbor, bound for England, that is only one degree off course will end up in Africa instead.   So false teaching is barely wrong at first, but once tolerated it moves one farther and farther away.

John calls us to walk in truth. Heaven rejoices when the pastor shows faithfulness to truth in his practice and shares fidelity to truth in his preaching.   

John also call us to war for truth. We must be vigilant—intolerant of error.  As old Vance Havner said, “The church has never been so much in danger from woodpeckers on the outside as termites on the inside.”  This battle is never over until Christ returns.

THE REJECTION OF OUR MESSAGE

We might pray that all our preaching will be received—and we should. We may present the truth with sincerity, clarity, fervency, authority, and urgency—and we ought. We can do all that in our preaching and yet there will be those who will not, “receive the love of the truth.” 

It is possible, of course, that the preacher may fail to speak the truth in love—and there must be that balance of conviction and compassion.  We love the TRUTH and so cannot compromise the content. We LOVE the truth and so must demonstrate our care for the listener.

Yet, there will always be those—no matter how faithfully we discharge our duty—who will not receive the love of the truth. The failure is not in the speaker, in this case, but in the hearer.  

Why?  When by receiving and believing the truth of the Gospel, “that they might be saved,” why would they refuse?  The mind of man is darkened by deception. The heart of sinners is depraved in passion. The will of man is directed by rebellion.

Thankfully, there will be those who respond to the Gospel—as its power in the Holy Spirit’s activity—opens their blind eyes, unstops their deaf ears, and break their hard hearts. By God’s grace, they repent—turning from the world and to follow the Lord.

Sadly, there will be those who perish for rejecting the message. That is not our choice, but theirs. We will give an answer as to whether we spoke the truth in love, but they will be held accountable as “they did not receive the love of the truth.”  Such cannot be saved. That ought break our hearts now. Their weeping and wailing will be for eternity.

THE PLAIN TRUTH

 

Paul states his premise in writing this letter to the Corinthians.  In both the epistles we have to this church, there are issues confronted head on—problems that dared not wait until Paul could be present with them.  What these believers dealt with in trying to serve God in a pagan culture may today be dressed up in modern garb, but is yet the hostile environment to faith we face and calls for the plain truth.

The plain truth is a POINTED truth. Paul describes the “sharpness,” of his message. He used sharpness only as needed, not because he found pleasure in causing pain. The last thing a church needs is a bully in the pulpit that beats the membership with a Bible.  Rather, the sharpness is like that of a surgeon’s scalpel, with the intent to heal though it hurts.  Let none leave after our sermon wondering, “What was the point?”

Plain truth is POWERFUL truth. Paul wielded the Sword of the Spirit with “authority.”  His message was not the best advice of a man, but was the clarion call from the Master. It was not merely a good idea to weigh, but a grave imperative to obey.  Now, we Bible preachers are not Apostles, yet when we correctly interpret the writings of the Apostles and communicate them with the unction of the Spirit, we command authority and can speak confidently.

Plain truth is PRODUCTIVE truth. The result Paul was seeking was “edification.”  His aim was to build up and not beat down—edification rather than “destruction.” The preacher’s motivation and manner is important. Think of it as the difference between a parent who abuses a child and one who disciplines them.  Both are painful, but only one is helpful. Abuse is extreme and is about the parent’s problem while discipline is exact and is about the child’s potential.  

What people need from a preacher in the twenty-first century is no different than the message demanded in the first century. They need the plain truth—pointed, powerful, and productive. Our audience does not need to be told what they want to hear that makes them feel good while they get worse, but what they need to hear that perhaps makes them feel worse, but in order to get them better!

SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS

 

“The great truths of revelation are neither able to preach nor defend themselves. They must have soldier preachers who proclaim and defend them. They have never conquered as silent force; they have never won as a reserve corps.”  (E.M. Bounds)

Onward, Christian preacher!  As you march into the pulpit, you go to war. Make sure you have on your armor—each piece put on with prayer. In your hand is a mighty weapon—the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. It is not a clever tongue, or a passionate argument that will prevail, but the unadulterated truth, delivered from earnest lips anointed by the Spirit of the Lord.  Put the enemy to flight!  Angels hover around you, to roll back the dark forces that would hinder you. Spend and be spent for the souls of those in your charge.

Paul tells us to endure. Warfare is wearisome; it will drain your energy. Press on!  You want to be a good soldier, not a poor one.

Paul tells us to engage. The time for strategy is over. It is time to take the field. 

Paul tells us to not be entangled. The things of this world will trip you up and bring you down to defeat. Do not let your concentration be diverted. Focus on the fight!

Paul tells us we are enlisted. You were drafted by your Commander—the Lord Jesus Christ. He has placed you in this position of responsibility. You may not please all the troops in the congregation, but seek to please Him who called you!

LEAVING A LEADERSHIP LEGACY

Who is the man that fears the LORD?

Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. 

He himself shall dwell in prosperity,

And his descendants shall inherit the earth.  (Psalm 25:12-13)

I want you to picture your ministry as a relay race.  You have an assigned leg to run—we all have an allotted period of time.  You have an assigned lane to run—we all have an appointed place of service.  We carry in our hands a Bible baton.  It has been handed down to us and now the critical moment comes that determines victory or defeat—the exchange—where we hand the truth of Scripture to the next generation of leaders.  All of us are going to leave behind a legacy.  I believe that was on David’s mind as he writes Psalm 25.  From the context, it would seem to me that he writes from the perspective of a seasoned soldier—a battle-scarred veteran—concerned about the future of his kingdom.

Let us leave a legacy of TRUST (v.1-7). 

David’s testimony declares how his trust was rooted in the greatness of God (v.1-3).  We can trust His power to save us.  David knows where to run when he is in trouble.  Experience has taught the king not to trust in his own strength, but in God’s.  I can say that God has never failed me.  

David also trusted in the guidance of God (v.4-5).  We can trust in His precepts to steer us.  This does not exempt us from storms.  The good news is that if we yield the rudder to the hands of the Captain of our Salvation, we can set sail to new horizons and chart a course for those who come behind!

Furthermore, David trusted in the goodness of God (v.6-7).  We can trust His provision to secure us.  David wasn’t a perfect man.  His failures are documented.  That’s why we need forgiveness.  We don’t trust in our goodness, but in God’s.  Remarkably, He uses flawed people for His glory.

Let us leave a legacy of TRUTH (v.8-15).  Having learned these lessons—sometimes the hard way—we must pass on the baton of truth.  

Having a teachable spirit is the key issue here (v.8-12).  An attitude of humility, devotion, and reverence are essential.  No matter how much we know about ministry, we should never stop learning!  

Our success becomes part of the legacy we leave to our spiritual sons in ministry (v.13).  The blessings of God can be transferred to generations to come.  Success can’t be measured in the size of buildings, budgets, and backsides in pews—it is in eternal impact. 

Friends have no secrets from each other (v.14-15).  They share their heart.  There is a depth of intimacy with God suggested here that we can know.  I have been inspired by others who have walked closely with God, and now I want to share the secret of such a life with others.

Let us leave a legacy of TRIUMPH (v.16-22).  Don’t miss the sequence.  We face the reality of the crisis, but we focus on the God who gives us confidence!  If we only give a brief nod to God, then focus on the crisis, we will be defeated by unbelief.  This is not denying reality (v.16-19); not depending on some kind of positive thinking.  Problems are not permitted to be the focus, however (v.20-22).  The focus is on the Redeemer.  He is the God who is always victorious and our triumph is in Him.

That was the legacy of leadership David would leave.  What about us?

SINNERS IN THE HANDS OF AN ANGRY GOD: JONATHAN EDWARDS' IMPACT ON AMERICA

"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God: Jonathan Edwards' Impact on America."

That was the title of a research paper that my son, Caleb, composed for a college history class. His document caused me to reflect on the power of the preached Word to bring transformation—to an individual, a family, a community—yes, and even a nation! It is difficult to imagine the birth of these United States apart from the spiritual awakening that swept over the colonies. Although there were certainly other preachers, most notably George Whitefield, who likewise played pivotal roles, Jonathan Edwards was a remarkable catalyst for the move of God that occurred. The hand of God at work in the church inspired and supported the founding of America. The activity of a Sovereign God brought forth a nation whose government system and laws were rooted in Scriptural principles. That is not to say that all the founders were Christians in the Biblical sense, but even those who were not, had a healthy understanding of truth and a fundamental belief in God and morality that was informed by Scripture. A good number were what we would call evangelicals. Without question, our forefathers had no intent to establish a theocracy. Having fled the unholy alliance of church and state that pervaded European nations—a union that wrought persecution and stifled freedom—they steadfastly refused to have a national church. There was no intent, however, to take the opposite extreme—to confine faith inside the four walls of the church—quarantining Christians as if they were some kind of contagion. Instead, the founders sought the favor of God and acknowledged the benefits of Christianity. Calls to prayer, offerings of thanksgiving, teaching of the Bible, and freedom for the church to advance its mission and ministry were woven into the fabric of America and given government protection—even promotion to an extent.

How things have changed! The mindset of many in power today give lip-service to freedom of religion—so long as it is kept to the church house and doesn’t impact the culture at large. The national conversation promotes political correctness. This new tolerance means that any idea, philosophy, or moral expression (really immoral or amoral) must not be confronted by the church. To do so is to be branded an extremist, a bigot, and a homophobe.

So, should we just accept this, cave in, bow down, and grovel?

We must be loving! That is not even negotiable! The most loving thing we can do is preach the truth that will deliver from hell and open up heaven when Christ is received by faith as Savior and Lord. What the church must do is not to tone down its message, but turn up the volume! Those holy words will only be heeded if spoken by those whose lifestyle mirrors their doctrine.

We need some men in the pulpit like Jonathan Edwards who are not fearful of warning sinners not to fall into the hands of an angry God, but fall on their knees in repentance! As we come to another birthday of America, there is a desperate need for a mighty move of the Spirit. It will not come unless some bold preachers preach the Gospel. History makes that abundantly clear.

TRUMPETING THE TRUTH

“Make two silver trumpets for yourself; you shall make them of hammered work; you shall use them for calling the congregation and for directing the movement of the camps." (Numbers 10:2)

The people of God are to be divinely directed.  Numbers is a book about walking with God.  The Hebrew title of the book is literally, "In the Wilderness."  This world is a wilderness.  We are pilgrims on a journey.  The wilderness is a place fraught with peril.  Our opportunity is limited, our responsibility is large, and our enemy is fierce--therefore, we must be led by the Lord, lest we become diverted by detours, delayed by dead-ends, or decimated by the Devil.  In the previous chapter, God had provided Israel guidance by His presence--the glory cloud--that moved out when they were to move and stopped where they were to camp.  Now, we find they were directed by not only the sight of the cloud, but the sound of the clarion.  The cloud represents the presence of God in His Spirit who guides the believer today, and the trumpet symbolizes the precepts of God in Holy Scripture that guide us as well.

Paul uses this analogy when confronting the confusion in the Corinthian church, "For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?  So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken?  For you will be speaking into the air."  (I Cor.14:8-9)  Communicating God's message must be done clearly.

There were three basic purposes of these trumpets.  This is most instructive to the church today.

They were sounded for WARNING (Num.10:1-8).  Think of them as an alarm going off.  When God directed them by the movement of the cloud, the priests were also to blow these silver trumpets to warn the people it was time to move or time to stop.  We are too easily distracted by the world or dulled by slumber and so we may miss God's leading without someone putting the trumpet of truth to their lips and waking us up.  The teacher and preacher seek to do this each Sunday morning--to wake us up and move us out!  God has places for the church to go.

The silver trumpets were for WARRING (Num.10:9).  The people of God are not sightseers on a walk, but soldiers in a war!  The church is God's army.  On Sunday morning, we assemble at headquarters to receive our marching orders.  The preacher puts the trumpet of truth to his lips and conveys the battle plan.  We are equipped for the spiritual conflict awaiting us on Monday by hearing the truth on Sunday.  There is the "fog of war," and we cannot fight effectively without clear communication from our Commander.  The Word of God is our powerful weapon too!

The trumpet blasts were also for WORSHIPPING (Num.10:10).  Israel was to be assembled for worship as the trumpets sounded.  The Word of God is central in our worship.  That is why you find the pulpit at the center of most sanctuaries.  Whether that truth is sounded in song or sermon,  we will not have worship apart from the communication of the Word.

One of these days, the last trumpet will sound, and God's saints will be gathered home!  Until then may the truth be trumpeted loud and clear--for we will give an account (see 2 Tim.4:1-8).

WE SPEAK FOR GOD

Will it be well when He searches you out?  (Job 13:9a)

It is not a claim to make rashly: “God has called me to preach.”  When we stand behind the sacred desk, we are claiming to speak for God.  That is a grave responsibility.  What we say will be searched out at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  Will it be well with us then?  That is the question Job directs to his three “comforters.”  These men show no hesitation to claim to speak for God.  But, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, as the old saying goes.  Job was convinced that they would be weighed in the balances on that Day and be found wanting—the words which became a heavy burden upon Job would prove to be as light as dust in eternal significance—blown away and gone with no reward.

Job speaks of their sermonizing this way:

But you forgers of lies,

You are all worthless physicians. 

Oh, that you would be silent,

And it would be your wisdom! 

Now hear my reasoning,

And heed the pleadings of my lips. 

Will you speak wickedly for God,

And talk deceitfully for Him? 

Will you show partiality for Him?  

Will you contend for God?

Will it be well when He searches you out?  

Or can you mock Him as one mocks a man? 

He will surely rebuke you

If you secretly show partiality. 

Will not His excellence make you afraid,

And the dread of Him fall upon you?

Your platitudes are proverbs of ashes,

Your defenses are defenses of clay.  (Job 13:4-12)

Sound doctrine is vital—let us hammer out our theology on the anvil of Scripture, heated by the fire of fervent prayer, lest we be the forgers of lies.  People are spiritually sick—will we give them a placebo or a cure?  Will we pat them on the back and tell them they are well, when they are carrying a malignant evil that needs to be removed by the scalpel of Scripture?  It would be better to shut up, than to claim to speak for God words of folly!  How much error will be propagated in pulpits tomorrow in the disguise of truth?  May we consider the dreadful experience to stand naked before the Judge and have our sermon dissected and found to be nothing but pious platitudes and an indefensible doctrine.  The congregation longs to be fed, and woe to the shepherd who fills their mouth with ashes.  The sheep look for refuge from the wolves of this world, and do we fashion for them a wall of clay?  Let us fall on our knees in urgent petition and solemn humility and ask God to speak through us.  It is a serious thing to claim to speak for God!