The Believer, Preachers & The Un-Adulterated Word of God
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Matthew 4:23 (KJV) And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Jesus went about teaching, preaching, and healing. These were the three main aspects of His ministry. In Jesus’ teaching He shows concern for understanding. In His preaching Jesus shows his concern for commitment. In healing He shows his concern for wholeness. His miracles of healing demonstrated his teaching and preaching, proving that He truly was from God.
Jesus developed a powerful preaching ministry and often spoke in the synagogues. Most towns that had ten or more Jewish families had a synagogue. The fabric of the synagogue’s served as a religious gathering place on the Sabbath and as a school throughout the week. The leader of the house of worship was not a preacher as much, as an administrator. His duty was to find and invite rabbis (teachers) to teach and preach. It was a social custom to invite visiting teachers like Jesus to speak.
Jesus preached the gospel, the Good News or Kingdom of God to everyone who wanted to hear it. The gospel is that the kingdom of heaven has come, that God is with us, and that he cares for us. Christ Jesus can heal us, of physical sickness, emotional sickness as well as spiritual sickness. There’s no sin to great or problem too great or too small for Him to handle. Jesus’ words were good news because they offered living words, freedom, hope, peace of heart, and eternal life with God.
1 Cor. 2:4 (KJV) And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
Paul’s confidence was not in his sharp-witted intellect or charismatic speaking ability but in his wisdom an understanding that the Holy Spirit was helping and guiding him. Paul could have overwhelmed his listeners with intellectual arguments, because he was a brilliant scholar in the scriptures. Paul is not rejecting the importance of study and preparation for preaching, he had a thorough education in the Scriptures. Effective preaching must combine diligent preparation with reliance on the work of the Holy Spirit. Instead he shared the simple message of Jesus Christ by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide his words. In sharing the gospel with others, we should follow Paul’s example and keep our message simple and basic.
The Holy Spirit will give power to our words and use them to bring glory to Jesus. Many today want to use Paul’s statement as an excuse for not studying or preparing but we are commanded to study to show ourselves approved. Just like we do not want a unfit teacher leading our children, we should never let an unfit or unprepared person to teach us the word of God. So many times we want to demonstrate and show off our fancy vocabulary and use of cliches that we become in effective. The anointing breaks the yokes not mans knowledge or intellect.
1 Cor. 3:18-21 (KJV) Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. [19] For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. [20] And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. [21] Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
2 Cor. 11:6 (KJV) But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
Paul, a brilliant thinker, was not a trained, spellbinding speaker, although his ministry was effective (see Acts 17). Paul had not been trained in the Greek schools of oratory and speechmaking, as many of the false teachers probably had been. Paul believed in a simple delivery of the gospel (see 1 Cor. 1:17), and some people thought this showed simple-mindedness. False teachers often used Paul’s speaking presentation against him. In all our teaching and preaching, content is far more important than the presentation. A simple, clear presentation helps listeners to understand the Gospel will be of great value to the man or woman exhorting God. Paul was not telling the Corinthian believers to neglect their search of knowledge, he was warning them that worldly wisdom holds them back from God. He was saying that this is not wisdom at all. God’s way of thinking is far more valuable and is the truth, even though it may seem foolish to the world (1 Cor. 1:27). The Corinthians were using worldly wisdom to evaluate their leaders and teachers. Their pride made them value the presentation of the message instead of its content. Today we do the same and think it was a very spiritual message. But presentation does not deliver the anointing.1 Tim. 5:19-21 (KJV) Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. [20] Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. [21] I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
Just as believers must be reproved an rebuked when in sin, Church ministers and leaders are not exempt from sin, faults, and mistakes. But they are often criticized for the wrong reasons, minor imperfections, failure to meet someone’s expectations, personality clashes. Paul said that accusations should not even be heard unless two or three witnesses confirm them. Sometimes church leaders should be confronted about their behavior, and sometimes they should be rebuked. But all rebuking must be done fairly and lovingly, and for the purpose of restoration. We must constantly be on guard against favoritism, against giving preferential treatment to some and ignoring others. We live in a world that plays favorites. It’s easy to give special treatment to those who are gifted, deserving, intelligent, rich, or beautiful without realizing what we are doing. Let us make sure we honor people for who they are in Christ, not for who they are in the world.
Paul says that a church should never be hasty about choosing its leaders, especially the pastor, because we may overlook major problems or sins. It is a serious responsibility to choose church leaders. They must have strong faith and be morally upright, having the qualities described in 1 Tim. 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9. Not everyone who wants to be a church leader is eligible. Be certain of an applicant’s qualifications before asking him or her to take a leadership position. Today many ministers own the Church building and have no one to whom they show accountability. They have set the Church up without the bible foundation. Some have no board or accountability to anyone here on earth but they will stand accountable before the Judge our Lord and Jesus. The elders were to do the work of the Church so pastors could have the time needed to give the word of God and do the work He called them too. Now, if you are going to a Church with this type of foundation, in my own experience these men and women will not hear the truth of Father’s word and will take scripture out of context. Most will whip you from the pulpit and again take scripture out of context. They have become a god unto himself or herself and think no one can interpret the scriptures but them.
1 Cor. 1:17 (KJV) For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
Some speakers use impressive words, but they are unsound on content. Paul stressed sound content and practical help for his listeners(see 1 Cor. 2:1-5). You don’t need to be a notable speaker with a large and flattery vocabulary to share the gospel effectively. The persuasive power is in the story, not the speaker. Paul was against (see 1 Cor. 2:6), those who try to impress others only with their own knowledge or speaking ability. When Paul said that Christ didn’t send him to baptize, he wasn’t minimizing the importance of baptism, because Baptism was commanded by Jesus himself (Matthew 28:19) and practiced by the early church (Acts 2:41). Paul was emphasizing that no one person should do everything in the Church. Paul’s gift was preaching, and that’s what he did. Christian ministry should be a team effort, no preacher or teacher is a complete link between God and people, and no individual can do all that the apostles did. We must be content with the contribution God has given us to make, and carry it out wholeheartedly. (For more on different gifts, see 1 Cor. 12-13.) Paul took the gospel to the Gentiles and Peter took the Gospel to the Jews. Both were in their calls.
John 7:16-18 (KJV) Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. [17] If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. [18] He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
Those who attempt to know God’s will and do it will know intuitively that Jesus was telling the truth about Himself. Have you ever listened to gospel speakers and wondered if they were telling the truth?Test them:
- Their words should agree with, not contradict, the Bible;
- Their words should point to God and God’s will, not to themselves.
- Their thoughts should not be on the material and worldly things but directed toward God.
Malachi 1:6 (KJV) A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
Father God charged the priests with failing to honor him (to the point of showing contempt for His name) and failing to be good spiritual examples to Father’s people. The temple had been rebuilt in 516 B.C. and worship was being conducted there, but the priests did not worship God properly. These priests were not following Father God’s laws for the sacrifices. Ezra, the priest, had sparked a great revival around 458 B.C. Nonetheless, by Malachi’s time, the nation’s religious or church leaders had once again abandoned God, and the people of God followed right along with them. The one thing we can see here is the leaders became a stumbling block for the people of God. The people were under the law and they had no way to Father God but through the law and the priest. Today that veil has been torn and we are all priest and can enter Father God’s word and obey it. We can all enter the Holy of Holie’s. The worship of God was no longer from heartfelt adoration, instead it was simply a burdensome job for the priests and it was done in rituals.
God’s law required that only perfect animals be offered to God (see, Leviticus 1:3). These priests were permitting the people to offer blind, crippled, and diseased animals to God. God accused them of shaming him by offering imperfect sacrifices, and Father God was greatly displeased. The people sacrificed to God wrongly through:
(1) expedience: being as cheap as possible,
(2) neglect: not caring how they offered the sacrifice, and
(3) outright disobedience-doing things and sacrificing their own way and not as God had commanded. Their methods of giving showed their real attitudes toward God. How about your attitude in serving the Lord, does convenience, neglect, or disobedience characterize your giving of service to Him?
The New Testament says that our lives should be living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1). If we give God only our leftover time, possessions, and energy, we repeat the same sin as the worshipers who did not want to bring anything valuable to God. What we give God reflects our true attitude toward him. Worship should never be conducted as a business.
MICAH’S CHARGES OF INJUSTICE
Micah charged the people with injustice of many kinds.- Plotting evil - Micah 2:1
- Fraud, coveting, violence - Micah 2:2
- Stealing, dishonesty - Micah 2:8
- Driving widows from their homes - Micah 2:9
- Hating good, loving evil - Micah 3:1-2
- Despising justice, distorting what is right - Micah 3:9
- Murder - Micah 3:10
- Taking bribes - Micah 3:11
The Prophet Micah warned the leaders, priests, and prophets of his day to avoid bribes. Pastors or ministers today accept bribes when they allow those who contribute abundantly to control the church. When fear of losing money or members influences them to remain silent when they should speak up for what is right, their churches are in danger. We should remember that Judah was finally destroyed because of the behavior of its religious leaders. A similar warning must be directed at those who have money; never use your resources to influence or manipulate God’s ministers this is bribery.
Micah denounced the sins of the leaders, priests, and prophets (”leaders of Jacob” and “rulers”); those responsible for teaching the people right from wrong. The leaders, who should have known the law and taught it to the people, had set the law aside and had become the worst of sinners. They were taking advantage of the very people they were supposed to serve. All sin is bad, but the sin that leads others astray will bring judgment.
Today, we are held accountable for knowing Father God’s truth (word) for ourselves. I believe this is the worst sin of all for those of us who call ourselves by the name of the Lord Jesus. We won’t be able to say my pastor told me wrongly and be let off the hook.
The people liked the false prophets who told them only what they wanted to hear. Micah spoke against prophets who encouraged the people to feel cozy in their sin. Preachers are popular when they don’t ask too much of us, pacify us and especially when they tell us our greed or lust might even be good for us. But a true teacher of God speaks the truth, regardless of what the listeners want to hear. This man or woman will be called evil and the false prophet good. The doctrine of tolerance and worldly love has widely spread like a cancer in many churches today and this love is sending many into hell. The true servant of God will tell you the truth of Father’s word and love you out of hell. God’s love is truth and His truth is love, so why have we stumbled into this worldly way of doing things. What is wrong with doing things Father’s way? I want the true unadulterated word of God, not the diluted version to pacify me and keep me in my sins. I am heaven bound and I am going with or without anyone else. I prefer they go with me, but I can not make their choices for them.
Today I tell you folks it is time we repent and return to Father God. It is time we put down those traditions and man made doctrines and return to the truth of God or we may find ourselves in the Pharisee’s and Sadducee’s shoes.
author: Marcella
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One Response to “The Believer, Preachers & The Un-Adulterated Word of God”
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January 23rd, 2010 at 6:08 am
Praise the Lord for the TRUTH!!! I loved this article. It encourages me, as a moderator here, to keep loving them out of hell by continuing to tell them to get out of their sin. Being straightforward in speech is the way I always approach this…and this article comfirms that this is the way we SHOULD post. If we use a lot of fancy words the anointing of the Holy Spirit can not get through. Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this article!!!
JeriRose