Let me set a scene for you so that we can illustrate exactly what this article is going to be about. It is Sunday morning at the ABC Street church of Christ. Tony is the preacher (all of the points thus far are fictional). Tony stands at the lectern and speaks to the audience saying: “Good morning brethren and visitors. Sister Porter, you sure do look beautiful today in your yellow dress. Brother Porter, you did a fine job picking such a godly woman for a wife. Today we are going to talk about the sinfulness of adding to the word of God. I want to be clear. This is going to be a pointed lesson. Not that we need it here. You folks are great. We are on the right path. Let’s open our Bibles and see the example of Nadab and Abihu who burned strange fire before God and were consumed because of it. Brethren, do we want to be consumed in fire? I know we don’t. We have great people here. Just last night Joe called me with a Bible question. We talked for hours. I know if Joe was to disagree with me over something we could surely work it out. His wife Helen talks to my wife regularly about spiritual matters. Their children are great (this is said as Tony is thinking in his mind how Joe is the treasurer, the ‘leading man’ in the congregation, and how Joe’s wife is in his ear all of the time so I better butter her up too). So, when I speak of Nadab and Abihu today, I am not saying this directly applies to us. But, we need to be careful. It could. But, we are on the right path. Right? Yes, that’s right. Next, consider how some women do not understand their role of submission. If we look at I Corinthians 11:3, I Timothy 2:11-12, and I Peter 3:1-7 we see that women are to be submissive. Now, don’t think I am saying women are lesser than men. Barbara for example is a busy worker in the kingdom. She’s great. She knows the Bible probably better than I do (while he’s thinking, ‘not really’). Brethren, the ladies here have this point down well. So, just remember I am bringing it up to make sure we do not have a problem down the road.” What do you see right with Tony? The answer is, not much at all. Tony, like many so-called preachers today, spent most of the above buttering up the crowd. Tony was naming the names of the influential members to assure his place in the pulpit for years to come and patting them on the back. If you listen to his sermons often you hear the same names. When he did get to the Scriptures, he explained them away so he was not making any applications to the people there. What’s the point of preaching the Gospel if none of it applies to the people in attendance? Many Scriptures are violated by fake preachers such as Tony (our fictional character above). Notice a few of these Scriptures: “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry… These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee… For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness… 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… Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God… And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (II Timothy 4:1-5, Titus 2:15, I Thessalonians 2:1- 5, I Corinthians 1:17, Acts 20:26-27, and I Corinthians 2:1-5). As most genuine students of the Scriptures realize, we could have added many more Scriptures to the list above. The point however should be loud and clear. Preachers today who are merely butt kissers are doing a great disservice to our Lord and those whom are listening to their watered down speeches (we can hardly call them sermons). Many who fill pulpits today seem to have lost the reasoning of why they are preaching. We are supposed to be warning people (Ezekiel 3:18). Preaching needs to have a sure measure of urgency (Proverbs 27:1, II Corinthians 6:2, and James 4:13-14). Some preachers just preach sermons they’ve prepared with no real objective in mind for those they’re preaching to. They will not change up (cannot, we should say), if there are specific needs that given day which should be addressed. Preaching, sadly, has become very much about job security rather than soul saving. Most of the “preachers” I have ever known are professional butt kissers. They fit in well among any crowd. They stand where you stand, if you know what I mean. Brethren, let’s demand preachers who are real to the cause and who really cares about souls. Let’s hear from one in conclusion to this article: “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). |
| Volume VIII ~ Issue XLVI ~ August 10th, 2008 |
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
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What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)? Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17),
repent of their sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your
sins (Acts 2:38 and Romans 6:1-6). Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the
church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47 and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16). One must then remain faithful
(Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10). There is more to cover than is here. Contact me today for a study:
brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
repent of their sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your
sins (Acts 2:38 and Romans 6:1-6). Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the
church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47 and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16). One must then remain faithful
(Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10). There is more to cover than is here. Contact me today for a study:
brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
| Edited by: Brian A. Yeager |
| Butt Kissing Preachers By: Brian A. Yeager |
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| What’s Right With “Tony”? |
| Conclusion |