The Essence of Preaching: A Privilege! .
Acts 20
KJV
27+ For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Recently someone asked what were ( or was ) the motivating factor(s) that brought me into the ministry. A good question every Minister should ask himself and answer appropriately It was a soul-searching question.
It has unfortunately being the opinion/assumption etc of some ( leaders and ordinary ) members in the church that preachers came into the ministry for (1) monetary gains (2) seeking employment (3) Fame etc
Unfortunately, the evidence available contradicts these opinions or assumptions ! Many a minister is equally qualified to take up a public /civil service /office etc; just like any member.
The ministry is a calling, privilege and a divine honour bestowed on the Called which requires the Called to forgo his personal plans and ambitions! The lack of knowledge and understanding of this lies at the root of the misconceptions mentioned above !
Unfortunately/ interestingly , the least respected and honored member of the church by the majority is the minister , for reasons mentioned above – ignorance of his divine calling and mission
In the secular world, people lobby to be appointed as high commissioners/ambassadors to represent their countries! Not so with the ministry it is God who calls and commissions His ambassadors , no one lobbies.
As Paul said we are “ ambassadors “ but called by Christ to represent His kingdom everywhere man lives. Ours therefore is a borderless kingdom.
Ambassadors with a purpose and mission, every ambassador seeks and promotes his country and this is what the preacher is called to do.
Read this ;
2 Corinthians 5
KJV
20+ Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Read how Paul summed up our mission ;
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19+ To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Did you read it? We are ambassadors sent out to preach the message of reconciliation! God was through Christ reconciling men unto himself.
It is for this reason/purpose that we are to proclaim the whole counsel of God to men. It is not for men to dictate what is to be preached or taught. Our mandate is not of men but of God, and so is our calling!
The “ whole counsel of God” is not limited to the Gospel but also to messages of rebuke and correction! Read a few ;
2 Timothy 4
KJV
2+ Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine
. 1 Timothy 5
KJV
20+ Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
Titus 1
KJV
13+ This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
Titus 2
KJV
15+ These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
So the ministry is a noble “profession” with great hazards some of which can cost you your emotional, economic and spiritual life! Ask those who have gone before you and they will confirm this as true. How it has cost them a lot of emotional, economic etc consequences!
Hazards such as hatred , wrongful treatments, deprivations , economic strangulations , poverty Yes ! Just because you’ll not compromise your calling and mission. Paul once experienced such a treatment hence he wrote to ask; read it
Galatians 4
KJV
16+ Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
When faced with the choice of men or God, hunger or “ bread freedom” read what he said ;
Galatians 1
KJV
10+ 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.
Yes, that was Paul the apostle ! He can not please men so he suffered for his principled life.
But , beloved if you can endure these hazards you’ll receive a great welcome when the one who called and commissioned you returns!
Maranatha
A thought on the ministry to share.