PERILS FOR THE PREACHER

In Matthew 6, we have the heart of the Sermon on the Mount and it deals with the matter of the heart. We can group these warnings of Christ around three dangers for any believer: pride, prayerlessness, and possessions. Yet, these are especially perils for the preacher.

There is A WARNING ABOUT PRIDE. Jesus warns in several places about “hypocrites,” who in their giving (v.1-3), praying (v.4-15), and fasting (v.16-18), do so with great public fanfare. Their intention is to have the applause of men. A pastor may do the right thing, yet for the wrong reason, and it then be wrong. Such may have the appreciation of humans, but not the approval of heaven!  It is not that a preacher can or even should always keep his service secret, but if motivated by self-promotion, we try to steal that which only God merits—His glory!  How many will find their lifetime “achievements,” go up in smoke at the Judgment Seat as hay, wood, and straw?

There is A WARNING ABOUT PRAYERLESSNESS (v.4-15). There is extensive teaching concerning prayer. We already have addressed the motive for prayer, but Jesus goes on to speak to the manner of prayer and  furnishing a model for prayer. Jesus assumes we will pray. He says, “when you pray,” not “if you pray.”  Now, the preacher will pray publicly, yet he is not to simply be the professional pray-er. There is the danger that in volume of sound and verbosity of speech, he thinks he is reaching heaven, while his words rise no higher than the ceiling. There will be no power, nor fruitful ministry, if it is not rooted in a private prayer life that connects us to God. Impotent preaching is often due to inadequate praying!

There is A WARNING ABOUT POSSESSIONS (v.16-34). Many a minister has been shipwrecked on the shoals of materialism. Obsessions for possessions have ruined many a preacher. A man who serves the church for money is a hireling, rather than a shepherd. It is not that a vow of poverty is required. If we do not provide for our family, we are worse than an infidel (1 Tim.5:8). To have possessions is one thing, but they must never possess us. It is not just a matter of what is in the bank, but what is in our heart. We may not have wealth, yet covet it. We may have little financially and correspondingly little faith—worrying about tomorrow rather than trusting God today.

Satan has these three traps set for you preacher! Watch where you step lest you be ensnared!

THE GREATEST SERMON EVER PREACHED

 

Matthew 5-7 contains the greatest sermon ever preached. It was preached by the greatest Preacher, the Lord Jesus, and is called the Sermon on the Mount. While we may never be elevated to the status of a great preacher, we can strive for great content—and know that the Spirit of Christ indwells the servant of Christ who has given is this subject matter. Let’s learn from Him, though we will certainly fall short of the standard the Perfect Preacher set.

He CARED FOR THE MULTITUDES, “seeing the multitides.” His message was evangelistic. Jesus never neglected the masses of humanity. They were lost in sin, and He would call them to repentance and faith. His compassion for sinners was communicated with an invitation to enter the Kingdom of God. Every preacher should have a heart to evangelize the sinner and proclaim the Gospel in each sermon.

Jesus COMMUNICATED WITH GREAT CLARITY. “He went up on a mountain.”  Whether using a mountain for a pulpit or sitting in a boat where He employed the acoustics of the lake to carry His voice—the content needed to be communicated with clarity. What He said needed to be heard and so Jesus would employ the laws of nature to amplify His voice to speak the laws of the Kingdom of heaven.  Preacher, pronounce your words and proclaim the truth with clarity. Don’t let how you say it obscure what needs to be heard.

Jesus CONCENTRATED ON HIS DISCIPLES, “His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them…”.   As previously noted, Jesus cared for the sheep wandering on the mountain, who needed to be summoned into the fold with a Gospel clarion call. Yet, He had a special concentration on the men who would be trained to be shepherds and extend His ministry after His departure back to glory. The preacher must also be a teacher. Edifying disciples must be the concentration of our communication. The Great Commission goes beyond the need to reach the world, to then teach the Word.

In these ways, we can be like the greatest Preacher who proclaimed the greatest sermon ever!

THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

 

This world is not a playground, but a battleground. If we seek to be in God’s will, then we will run head on into the devil. The only perfect Man—the Lord Jesus—had to face and fight the devil. Yet, He was victorious each time. Hebrews 4:15, states Jesus was, “in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”  He sets the standard for successful spiritual warfare. He did not defeat the devil as God. Being fully God, He could have cast Satan into the abyss by a command. Yet, Jesus was also fully man, and overcame Satan as a man can—with the Word of God!  This displayed His flawless nature, qualifying Him as the spotless Lamb to die in our place. 

Further, by wielding the Spirit’s sword as a man, he showed us how we also may overcome the wicked one. That divine weapon is available to us!  Paul described the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6, and the one offensive weapon, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” (v.17b).  Each time, Christ met the Tempter with, “it is written,” three times beating back the thrust of temptation and putting the devil to flight.

That Word must be committed to memory. The ingestion of God’s Word is essential. David underscored that winning the war depended on wielding the Word, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you,” (Ps.119:11). 

The Word must be communicated in ministry. The proclamation of God’s Word is non-negotiable. The teacher in the classroom and the preacher in the pulpit must believe in the Word as their authority and proclaim the Word with all clarity. This will enable those sitting under the Word to experience victory!

It is the power of the Gospel message that summons sinners to salvation (cf. Rom.1:16). It is the power of God’s Word that breaks strongholds and sets saints free. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭3‬-‭5‬‬).

On Monday through Saturday, I will study God’s Word, store it in my heart, and submit to it with my life. Then, I can stand with a Bible in my hand on Sunday morning before God’s people and by that sword see lives transformed with truth. “It is written!” is my conviction and my communication!

THE MASTER’S MODEL FOR MINISTRY

 Jesus is our model for ministry. Of course we will not be perfect, but we should make progress in following His example, as we yield to His Spirit within us. From start to finish, let us fulfill God’s call and pursue all that is right!

AT THE FEET OF JESUS

It is our privilege and duty to bring the congregation to the feet of Jesus in worship. We can only lead people where we have been!  As a preacher, I need to know the way, consistently coming in consecration to Christ on a daily basis.  This will ignite a passion in me, as I worship Him, to bring the people to bow before Him on the Lord’s Day. No matter what else we may accomplish, should we fail to bring the church to bow at His feet, then our purpose for gathering has failed. However, as the old saying goes, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.”  Likewise, we may bring people before the Lord and the failure is theirs—they would not drink of the Living Water. But, let us model and bring a message that brings them to the feet of Jesus.  That we can do—and must do!

There are many lessons to learn from the visit of the Magi. It is a wise man indeed who falls at Jesus’ feet to worship Him. There are numerous occasions where this act of submission, devotion, and adoration is recorded in Scripture.

 

They bow at Christ’s INCARNATION.  “When they … saw the young Child … [they] fell down and worshiped Him.”  (Matt.2:11).  This stresses His humanity. We marvel that God would become man—the Infinite as an infant; the Creator becoming a creature!  To know He came in love to be one of us in order to save us fills us with awe.

They bow at Christ’s TRANSFIGURATION. “They fell on their faces” (Matt. 17:6).  This stresses His deity. Peter, James, and John got a glimpse of His glory. For one brief, shining moment, who Jesus was on the inside burst through to the outside. They were smitten by His splendor and fell at His feet.  Only a man could die for us, but only God could save us. How marvelous!

They bow at Christ’s RESURRECTION. “They came and  held Him by the feet” (Matt. 28:9).  This stresses His victory. He stands before them as Conqueror of death!  It is now nail-scarred feet before which they fall. Wonder and worship is their response, and ought to be ours as we bow before the One who holds the keys to death, hell, and the grave!

Later, John would record how he would bow at Christ’s GLORIFICATION.  “I fell at His feet as dead” (Rev. 1:17a).  This stresses His supremacy. Those who bow before Him now as the Lord and Savior, will bow before Him in glory as King of kings and Lord of lords. When we gather for worship, spiritually we may bow before the glorified Christ in anticipation of literally bowing before Him someday!

The Gospel song, written by Squire Parsons, Jr., puts it:

If I leave this world of sorrow sometime before you do,

Just look for me in heaven and we'll talk the ages thru;

But if, at first, you fail to see me, let me tell you where I'll be,

I'll be thanking Christ, my Savior, for saving a wretch like me.

Don't look 'neath the gates of pearl, don't look on the streets of gold,

Don't look by the walls of jasper, nor among the many sights untold;

For I've been longing and I've been waiting for the precious, holy One to meet,

There I'll be thru the countless ages, look for me at Jesus' feet.

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!

EXPOSITION AND ESCHATOLOGY

Eschatology is the doctrine of “last things.”  About 1/5 of the Scriptures are prophetic in nature. A preacher who avoids preaching about the second coming of Christ is not following Paul’s example who said, “For I have not shunned to declare unto you THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD,” (Acts 20:27, emphasis added). Faithful exposition of the BIblical text demands an eschatological emphasis.  

As we come to the last chapter of the Bible, we find another Apostle—John—commanded to preach with urgency, as if Christ were returning soon. Three times, in Revelation 22, Jesus declares, “I am coming quickly.”  What if your next sermon would be your last one before Christ comes for His church?  It could be!

Eschatological exposition is a call for rejoicing. “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” (Rev.22:7). This is our happy hope!  It is the ultimate joy for the child of God—to be with Jesus forever in glory!  Read Revelation 22:1-6 concerning the wonder of heaven. This preaching stirs the soul to worship.

Eschatological exposition is a call to reward. “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.”  (Rev.‭22‬:‭12‬‬). We are reminded that even though our redemption is not by our works, our reward is determined by our works. The entrance to heaven is a matter of our faith in Christ, but the enjoyment of it is in measure of faithfulness to Christ (cf. 1 Cor.3:11-15).  This preaching summons the servants to work.

Eschatological exposition is a call to readiness. “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev.22‬:‭20‬‬). An even stronger word is used to introduce consideration of Christ’s return: “surely,” and not just “behold.”  There is coming a day when the die is cast and those who are not prepared to meet God will have no further opportunity (Rev.22:8-16). But for now, the Gospel invitation is extended (Rev.22:17).  This preaching sets the saints to watch.

Adding to the prophetic Scriptures with sensationalism or subtracting from them by neglect are deadly serious. There are eternal consequences for the preacher and his people (Rev.22:18-19). May God strengthen us to stand and speak with urgency, so we may say, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”  Preacher, may “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen.” (Rev.22:21).