PREACHING
by Given O. Blakely
CONTENTS
1. What God has said about preaching
2. Focused Preaching
3. Preaching what you can see.
4. Considering your audience
5. Making preaching relevant
6. Avoiding Divine judgment
7. A pleasing frangrance to God
8. Having your own treasury
9. Refreshment through preaching
10. The spirit of faith
11. Building on the foundation
12. Fruit that remains
Lesson One
WHAT GOD HAS SAID ABOUT PREACHING
by Given O. Blakely
INTRODUCTION
You may be tempted to think of preaching in terms of a career. If that is the case, there are a variety of approaches to the subject, designed give you a successful career. This approach to preaching is fraught with danger. If we address our subject from this perspective, we will be faced with several arresting considerations. First, there is a lack of emphasis on God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Scriptures. Second, a high value is placed upon the wisdom of men. It does not take a wise man to see the jeopardy of approaching preaching in such a manner.
There is an entire nomenclature that characterizes this approach to preaching. The terms employed are not found in the Word of God, nor are the ideas represented by them related to preaching in God's Word . I will name a few of these terms. They will be familiar to you. Homiletics (expression of thought or feeling in speech), Hermeneutics (a branch of philosophy dealing the theory of interpretation or understanding), Exposition (explaining or clarifying), Apologetics (defense and proof of Christianity), and Exegesis (something that serves to explain or interpret).These are good words, and represent legitimate fields of interest. However, they are not adequate when it comes to defining preaching the Word of God.
When we "handle" God's Word (2 Tim 2:15), we are in a different arena. We leave the philosophical realm and enter the domain of revelation. In this domain, Divine initiative is fundamental. If God does not make matters pertaining to life and godliness known, they will remain hidden to men. What is more, the wisdom of men cannot unlock the revelation of God. There are individuals that will contest this statement, but they cannot negate it. If the wise men of the world could not decipher the revelation of God enfleshed-the Son of God-, their interpretive techniques cannot Clarify the mind of God. This circumstance is affirmed in 1 Corinthians 2:7- 12. "No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him'--but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us" (NIV).
We will approach preaching from the Word of God. There, the substance of preaching is defined, as well as who can engage in the activity. In Scripture we will find a relationship of this noble work to God Himself, as well as to the salvation of mankind declared therein. In Scripture, preaching is affiliated with God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, salvation, truth, the Gospel, and God's Kingdom. These are the realities that sanctify preaching, making it powerful, effective, and gratifying. If you approach this holy work scientifically, you will rob it of its power and effectiveness! God has spoken on the subject of preaching. What He has said takes the precedence over everything men have said. It is to your advantage to not only know what He has said, but to allow it to dominate your thinking on the subject. You will never be a good preacher unless you please God, even though men may applaud your efforts! The one who speaks for God is to endeavor with all of his heart to present himself "to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" (2 Tim 2:15).
You must have God's approval! It is imperative that you have no cause for shame when you stand before Him! It is essential that you handle His Word "correctly." These perceptions will guide our approach to this subject. When you stand to preach the Word of God--in particular the Gospel of Christ--you have God's attention! The Son of God pays close heed to what you say. The Holy Spirit is ready to undergird your proclamation--to the degree it is in harmony with the will of God. Angelic hosts also have an intense interest in what you say. God Himself will underwrite your preaching if it pleases Him. The Lord Jesus Christ will dispense what you need to preach in power. The Holy Spirit can use your words to convince the hardest of sinners of sin, righteousness, and judgement (John 16:8-11). Angels want to see God's great salvation delineated in your preaching. They have an intense interest in the Gospel of Christ (1 Pet 1:12).Your objective is to please God, glorify Christ, and make men conscious of God's Word in your preaching. If this does not take place, you have wasted your time, and the time of those that hear you. Preaching is not entertainment. It is not religious marketing, or a means of establishing a career path. It is the most noble work in all of the world, unexcelled among the activities of men! Approach it with faith, sobriety, and reliance upon the Lord. There is no reason why your preaching and teaching cannot be blessed by God. He has ordained preaching, and He will bless it!
WHAT IS PREACHING?
There are a variety of words translated "preach" in Scripture. Each word shows a slightly different aspect of preaching. One emphasis is WHAT is proclaimed, i.e. "Good News." Another is the NATURE of the communication, i.e., a proclamation, or announcement. Additionally, the SUPREMACY of words is declared, as compared with gestures or visible evidences. The concept of "preaching" assumes something has been accomplished--something that can be declared. Preaching is more affirmation than explanation, more declaration than interpretation. I do not want to over- simply this matter. In preaching, affirmation and declaration are insightful; i.e., the proclaimer has seen the truth he is proclaiming. In one of his letters to Timothy, Paul described this circumstance in these words. "The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops" (2 Tim 2:6). In the words of Peter and John, "For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20). In these first lessons, we will emphasize preaching from the standpoint of proclamation. It is reporting the news, not making the news. It is making realities known, not providing self-conceived explanations of them.
In preaching, the message is more important than the technique. A proclamation assumes there is something to declare. Something to report is essential if reporting is to be done. An announcement is imperative before there is announcing. Angels desire to peer into the Gospel that has been given to us through the Holy Spirit. They are not impressed by messengers with no message, proclaimers with nothing to proclaim, reporters that have no news, and announcers with nothing to announce. Fanciful expositions and hermeneutical wizardry are no substitute for the lack of a message! Human methodologies and etymological expertise cannot compensate for the lack of a message. Preaching is the report of reconciliation. It is the proclamation of propitiation, and the preaching of peace. We are talking about the sounding of Divine satisfaction, and the announcement of amnesty! God has accomplished salvation in Christ, and it is to be proclaimed with power. Never be ashamed to announce the Gospel. It is the catalyst for faith and hope, without there is no salvation.
WHAT GOD HAS SAID ABOUT PREACHING GOD'S GOOD PLEASURE
When we speak of preaching, or proclaiming, we are dealing with a most sacred subject. Here the wisdom of Almighty God is made known, and it is wonderful! "For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe" (1 Cor 1:21). I personally prefer the word "preaching" to "what was preached." Technically, they mean the same thing. "Preaching," in this case is a noun, not a verb. The word used literally means "the proclamation," i.e., a specific message, made known by announcement. Note, this is the means God has chosen to save "those who believe." The reason for the choice is specified. It is because the "wisdom of God" cannot be appropriated by "the world through its wisdom." Mind you, before the Law, the world's wisest men were faced with the very creation of God. In the Law, they were provided a glimpse of God's mind. The prophets declared coming redemption, and John the Baptist identified the precise time of His arrival. In Jesus, God Himself was made known--brought within the range of human senses. Yet, the world's wise men did not grasp the truth! They could not unravel Divine mysteries or correctly interpret providential workings. Those that believe, cannot be saved by the wisdom of men, even if it wears a religious garb. You may call it exposition, apologetics, or hermeneutics--but it still cannot save "those who believe." God has already made His decision, and it has been made in strict keeping with His "eternal purpose." From the first to the last, believers will be saved by the proclamation of the Gospel. God is pleased with this arrangement--with preaching being the means through which believers are saved. For you to be effective in the Kingdom of God, you also must find pleasure in this Divine appointment.
THE EXAMPLE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
As always, the personification of God's will is found in the Person of Christ. Our Lord unveiled His mission in the very town in which He was raised. In an appropriate setting, He revealed His mission--one appointed by His Father. Reading from the 61st chapter of Isaiah, Jesus defined His mission. "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, 'Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing'" (Luke 4:18-21).If you ever doubt the power of preaching, hear the words of Jesus again. He was sent to "PREACH GOOD NEWS . . . PROCLAIM FREEDOM . . . AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT . . . TO PROCLAIM THE YEAR OF THE LORD'S FAVOR." Freedom cannot be "proclaimed" unless an amnesty has been accomplished! In what other realm can the "recovery of sight" be "proclaimed"!Jesus did not say men OUGHT to be free! His message was not one declaring men ought to have sight! He announced the time of the Lord's favor--a time when God Himself had brought salvation to humanity! He did not come to enforce a moral code, but to announce Divine accomplishment. The power of that message would accomplishment what the Law "could not do" (Rom 8:3).
AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE POWER OF PREACHING
The book of Ezekiel affords us a supreme example of the power of proclaiming a God-given message. You may recall the prophet's vision of a valley of dry bones (Ezek 37). There were "very many" bones, and they were "very dry," bleached and lifeless. There was no human science or realm of knowledge capable of resurrecting these bones. The bones were not in skeletal form, but were scattered and dispersed throughout the valley. When asked if he thought these bones could live, Ezekiel replied to the heavenly spokesman, "O Sovereign LORD, you alone know" (v 3). The words of the Lord are arresting."Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD'" (v 4-6).Look at Ezekiel's message closely! It contained no commandment! There was no assessment of the reason behind the circumstance. Ezekiel did not sound an exhortation, or provide a scientific explanation for the condition of the bones. Instead, he simply announced what God was going to do--no more. The "dry bones" were summoned to "hear the Word of the Lord." It was not an impersonal word, but one directed "to these dry bones." "I will . . . you will . . . I will . . . I will . . . you will . . . you will know ." If you wonder concerning the power of such a message, recall what occurred when it fell from the lips of the prophet of God. "As I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them" (v 7-8). Later, as directed by the Lord, the prophet called for the Spirit to breathe upon the slain. They sprang to life, a great army (v 10).
This incident is not unrelated to our subject. It provides an appointed illustration of the power of the Gospel of Christ--the affirmation of what the Lord has done. This is why Paul was not ashamed to proclaim a message totally out of harmony with the wisdom of men. It brought results--the only results God will accept. "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile" (Rom 1:16). Our approach to preaching will honor the power of the Gospel. It will not applaud or rely upon the wisdom of men. For this, I make no apology. God has appointed the means of bringing men to believe, and keeping them in that blessed state. Determine in your mind now, to be first and foremost a proclaimer--a preacher! Settle it in your mind that what God has accomplished in Christ is worthy of your hearty and energetic efforts!
THINK OF SINGLE WORDS (15) YOU ASSOCIATE WITH PREACHING
Think of preaching from a Scriptural point of view. Use words related to the content of preaching. Think of the objective of preaching. Consider the effects of preaching. Ponder the motivation for preaching. The vocabulary employed in preaching is also vital. You will find that when you focus your attention on this subject--with the Word of God dominating your thoughts--it will be remarkable how much you already know about the subjects. As we consider preaching, we are on holy ground. Because of this circumstance, you must take care not to allow mere men to form your concepts of the subject. You must permit the lamp of God's Word to shed light upon this glorious theme. Do not think to ask successful preachers how they became "successful." It is God that ordained preaching, and He is the One that has provided the message to be preached. He is the One that will ultimately evaluate your preaching before an assembled universe. If you preach within the circumference of Divine influence now, you will not be ashamed then!
SOME INSIGHTFUL REMARKS ON PREACHING FROM HISTORY
Great men of God have frequently spoken on this subject. They knew its centrality in God's Kingdom, and marshaled their mental and spiritual resources in their consideration of preaching.
A holy clumsiness is better than a sinful eloquence. Saint Jerome ©. 347 c. 420).
He that has but one word of God before him, and out of that word cannot make a sermon, can never be a preacher. Martin Luther (1483 1546)
The test of a preacher is that his congregation goes away saying, not "What a lovely sermon," but, "I will do something!" Saint Francis of Sales (1567 1622)
Actors speak of things imaginary as if they were real, while you preachers too often speak of things real as if they were imaginary. Thomas Betterton ©. 1635 1710)
Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen, such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of God upon the earth. John Wesley (1703 1791).
I don't like to hear cut-and-dried sermons. When I hear a man preach, I like to see him act as if he were fighting bees. Abraham Lincoln (1809 1865)
A preacher should be a live coal to kindle all the church. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 1882)
Preaching is thirty minutes in which to raise the dead. John Ruskin (1819 1900)
A man's nose is a prominent feature on his face, but it is possible to make it so large that eyes and mouth, and everything else are thrown into insignificance, and the drawing is a caricature and not a portrait; so certain important doctrines of the Bible can be so proclaimed in excess as to throw the rest of the truth into the shade, and the preaching is no longer the gospel in its natural beauty, but a caricature of the truth. Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834 1892)
You can preach sociology or psychology or any other kind of ology, but if you leave Jesus Christ out of it, you hit the toboggan slide to hell. Billy Sunday (1862 1935)
God's Word is as a seed. The seed-thought is one that preachers and evangelists need to remember. We imagine we have to plough the field, sow the seed, reap the grain, bind it into sheaves, put it through the threshing machine, make the bread all in one discourse. Oswald Chambers (1874 1917)
The best sermon is preached by the minister who has a sermon to preach and not by the man who has to preach a sermon. William Feather (1889 1981) We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. A. W. Tozer (1897 1963)
QUESTIONS
1 What is "preaching?"
2 What is something God has said about "preaching?"
3 What did you learn from Ezekiel preaching to the dry bones?
4 What are three words you think of when you hear the word "preaching?"
FIRST ASSIGNMENT
Our textbooks are of Romans and First Corinthians. In these books, we will find the message of the Gospel, and the means of proclaiming it, defined. Our next lesson will deal with "Focused Preaching." Our purpose is to show the value and necessity of having and maintaining focus in the development and preaching of your subject. We will allow time for several presentations by those attending the sessions. As a group, we will also evaluate the presentations. This will be done charitably, and with a mind to help each of us to become God-blessed proclaimers.
TEXTS FROM WHICH TO CHOOSE
Choose one text.
Develop a five (5) minute presentation. Target a presentation with that exact duration. Identify the core thought of the text, and put it in a few succinct words. As you have opportunity, show the relationship of other statements in the text to the core thought.
Think in terms of God's revealed purpose in Christ. Do not get lost in the text. Romans 1:16-17, Romans 2:28-29, Romans 3:21-23, Romans 4:5-6, Romans 4:20-24, Romans 10:9-10 Remember, you are not developing a sermon, but a thought. Good sermons are made up of good thoughts.
Your thought is to identify the central idea of a text. Do not develop an extensive commentary of the passage. That exercise will come later. You will find it more difficult to state things in a few words. It will require more discipline, and a better understanding of the text you are opening to us. Your job is to find the door into the central room of the text, and open it for us. Present it so an intelligent and profitable discussion can be based upon your remarks.
Do not be afraid to be innovative in your approach. You are an individual, use your individuality in your preaching--but do so in a manner that pleases the Lord. Get your text firmly into your mind, then ask the Lord to help you see it. Profitable thoughts are the result of spiritual insight--and God can give it to you. With my heart, and without any reservations, I tell you what Paul told Timothy. "Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything" (2 Tim 2:7, NASB).
Lesson Two
FOCUSED PREACHING
by Given O. Blakely
INTRODUCTION
When you preach, you are unlocking the door to the mind and purpose of God. You are bringing salvation within the grasp of your hearers. Remember, this is the means God has chosen to fully deliver believers--whether they are believing for the first time, or are fighting the good fight of faith. You are giving people something to believe, something faith embrace. Your message may make the difference between your listeners overcoming or being defeated by the devil. It may very well be the catalyst for a turning point in their lives, an adjustment of their perspective, and a release from delusion. When Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, 3,000 people were redelivered from darkness and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son (Col 1:13)– because of what he preached (Acts 2:10-40). An Ethiopian dignity went back to Ethiopia in fellowship with the living God--because of what Philip preached (Acts 8:29-40. In the idolatrous citadel of Athens, "A few men became followers of Paul and believed, with Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others"– because
of what Paul preached (Acts 17:1-34).
Take up preaching like you would a powerful and effective tool. Handle it wisely and with spiritual expertise. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are involved when you are preaching the Word. In this lesson we will deal with "FOCUSED PREACHING." My aim is not to teach a method, but a concept--and there is a big difference. Declaring a method assumes a number of things. Among them--(1)That the listeners are unlearned in the area being addressed. (2) That there is a perfect procedure that guarantees effectiveness. I am not questioning these conditions can, and most probably do, exist. I am not even questioning that there are some merits to this approach. It is not, however, the superior approach, because it does not capitalize on man's strengths. You are made "in the image of God." As such, you have designed strengths, calculated to enable you to have fellowship with God, and to be a co-worker with Him (1 Cor 3:9). The ability to understand is your strong point. Ultimately, you have been created to understand God Himself (Jer 9:23-24; John 17:3). That is a staggering consideration!
When we teach concepts (versus methodology), we are appealing to the Divine imagery in you. We acknowledge that you have the capacity to comprehend the very Word of God, to say nothing of the lesser things of this world. We are appealing to your ability to adapt the truth of God to your own capabilities, given to you by the Lord. God has made you with remarkable capabilities! At this point, it will suffice to state the case in a short paragraph. When you preach the Word (2 Tim 4:2), or preach the Gospel (1 Cor 1:17), you are not declaring methodologies. Rather, you are appealing to the cognitive powers of the people; i.e., to their ability to understand, then act upon what they understand. You are informing them of something God has provided for them in Jesus Christ--something that can be personally appropriated by faith. In order to preach effectively, you yourself must be focused, having some facet of truth within your view and grasp--some Kingdom reality that is dominating your thoughts. In the Kingdom, the more focused the preaching, the more powerful its effects. When your intellectual and intuitive abilities are focused on a particular facet of Gospel truth, they are brought to the peak of power. Coupled with the Holy Spirit, you become an instrument in God's hand. WHAT IS FOCUS? There are at least two perspectives to focus. First, it has to do with what you are doing. Second, it has to do with what you are seeking to accomplish. It is staggering to consider how much preaching has no apparent focus. What the preacher is doing is not clear, and where he is taking the people is equally obscure. Compare preaching to a life guard saving a drowning man. The life guard swims out to the poor soul, struggling to keep his head above water. The man's only hope is this life guard. When the life guard arrives, he begins by giving a dissertation to the drowning man about the quality of the life preserver in his hand. He tells him what material it is made of, and of the material's origin. He also shares some of the great rescues accomplished with this preserver. He carefully notes the soothing color of the preserver, together with the accommodating way it can be firmly held. With gusto the life guard tells how durable the preserver is, and sufficiently large it is, and how comfortable it will be to an already weary man. In the midst of his dialog, the gasping man drowns. From an academic point of view, the life guard had a focused presentation. From the practical point of view, he missed the whole point. The objective was to save the man. His focus should have been making the life preserver accessible to the man, and assisting him in getting a affirm hold on the preserver. The aim was to save the man, not acquaint him with the attributes of the preserver. He really was not focused at all. Focus always has the circumstance in view, as well as the text or truth being expounded. Mind you, the circumstance does not dominate the message, but the message can dominate the circumstance. Focus has an objective in mind. That objective includes clarifying the truth so it can be kept in the heart of God’s people. It also includes speaking so the sinner cannot forget what has been declared!
Focus includes a concentration on some facet of truth. It includes a close examination of the theme, magnifying it, so to speak, for the hearers. The preachers message revolve around his focus--like the spokes of a wheel to its hub. Your sermon can be like a shotgun blast, scattering pellets all over the place, but hitting nothing. Or, it can be like a rifle shot, straight and to the point. Most sermons probably fall somewhere between these two marks--but that should only be the case for a short time. Strive to hit the target every time in you preach. Be focused! Aim at something specific! Load your preaching gun with something specific! Now, you have some liberty in this area. Remember, we are not teaching a methodology, but a concept. Your use of the concept will be according to your grasp of it. It will also be in harmony with your own gifts and abilities. The hearers you are addressing will also have a bearing on your focus. These are all things you can, with the help of God, resolve.
AN OVERVIEW OF FOCUS
Your presentation should be entirely focused introduction, body, and conclusion. All of them should be tied together. If this is not the case, your message will not work effectively in the hearts of the hearers. If people cannot make some sense out of what you say, you will not have their hearts or hears. This assumes they have an interest in eternal things. If they do not, your sermon or lesson should be able to whet their appetite for "the things of the Spirit of God" (1 Cor 2:14). Your introduction opens the door to your subject. It does this by helping the people to rise above the world. When you deal with spiritual things, you are in another dimension--one that conflicts with the course of this world. Get the people pointed toward heaven in your introduction. Sharpen their conscience so God can speak to them through your presentation. The body of your message moves about the room of truth you are exploring. You are acquainting them with some facet of God's mind . . . His eternal purpose . . . His great salvation. Your sermon is wiping away the fog and mist created by this "present evil world" (Gal 1:4). It is bringing the things of God into clearer focus. The body of your presentation is bringing Divine provision within the reach of the people. To be more specific, it is bringing some aspect of God's "great salvation" within their reach. The conclusion constrains the hearers to take advantage of what you have presented, appropriating it for themselves. Your introduction pointed them in the right direction, and made a way for them to enter into the subject. The body of your message clarified the theme, bringing it within their reach. Now you are going to urge them to take it--to obtain it for themselves.
The Example of Peter
Think of Peter's epochal message on the day of Pentecost from this perspective. Remember, we are talking about a concept, not a methodology. Peter's sermon did not follow a prepared outline, but it was in strict comportment with the principles we are addressing. He preached it in the Spirit, thoroughly and effectively. His introduction was an analysis of the startling events that were taking place (Acts 2:14-21).The body of His message was an exposition of God's accomplishments through Christ (Acts2:22-35). His conclusion was that God has exalted Christ in spite of the malicious deeds of the people(Acts 2:36). He provided a way of escape for the people (Acts 2:38-39), and urged them to continue in their quest for glory(Acts 2:40). He opened the door for them to enter into sacred contemplation. He walked them around the room of Divine purpose. And, he put it all within their reach, making a way for them to enter into the blessing, and exit the bondage of sin. It is fashionable these days to rely on speaking techniques and curious anecdotes to get and keep the people's attention. Some resort to humorous stores to get people's attention, while others use contemporary events. Often such approaches are like throwing dust in the eyes of the people. They tend to disorient them for the reception of God's Word, rather than prepare them to enter into the "courts of the Lord" (Psa 84:2).
COME BACK TO THE POINT
Focused preaching always comes back to the point. You have probably heard what I call "spring board preaching." That is preaching that gives the text, then springs from it, never to return to it. After such messages, the Scripture that was read remains a mystery. It may have been used to clarify some other texts, or broaden the perspective of the hearer, but it was put on the shelf by the hearers. There may very well betimes when such preaching is profitable. It is not, however, the norm for you. This is not how you should plan to preach, knowing God can change your plans. When you take a text, you can go from it, or come to it. You can use it as a means to enter into and expound other passages of Scripture, or you can bring other passages to the text and expound it. Focused preaching clarifies the room you have entered. Unfocused preaching stands in one room and talks about another. A sermon is like a load of bricks. You're going to build something with the materials--something that is both durable and helpful. You can take those bricks and build a number of small walls or buildings. You can also use them to build a larger and more central structure, using materials from other sites as it is appropriate. The kind of focus we are speaking about puts together amain thought.
The Example of Paul
Take Paul's discourse on Mars hill as an example of focused preaching. His audience was not acquainted with the things of God, but they were capable of thought. His introduction opens the door to the consideration of Deity. "For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you" (Acts17:23, NIV). His theme is God--the one true God. He does not take for granted the people know anything about God. He is going to proclaim or announce a message that has power to change the individual. In summary, he elaborates on his focus. (1. God made the world and everything in it (v. 24a). (2. He does not live in temples made with hands (v. 24b). (3. He is not served or worshiped with men's hands (v. 25a). (4.He gives life and breath to all men (v. 25b). (5. God made all men from one man (v. 26a). (6. God determined the times and places they were to occupy (v.26b). (7. God did this in a manner that would encourage men to seek Him (v. 27a). (7. God is reachable, or not far from every one of us (v.27b). (8. We owe our existence to Him, and Him alone (v. 28a). (9.Some Grecian poets are cited to show the universality of this truth (v.28b). (10. Because we have our origin in God, we should not think of Him in terms of something man-made(v. 29). (11. There was a time when God overlooked man's spiritual ignorance of Himself (v. 30a). (12. God no longer overlooks this condition, but requires that men repent (v. 30b). (13. All of this makes perfect sense, because God has appointed a day of universal accountability (v. 31a). (14. The appointed Judge is a man, thus bringing God now within our reach (v. 31b). (15. God has provided proof of these things by raising Jesus Christ from the dead, a state common to all men (v. 31c). Paul's point was the living God! He kept coming back to His point! What God did . . . where He resides.. . how He is served . . . How He sustains . . . How He created mankind . . . What He determined . . What His objectives are . . . How accessible He is to us now . . . How even people that do not know Him acknowledge Him . . . How we should think about Him . . . How He viewed humanity in the past . . . how He views humanity now . . . What He has determined to judge humanity . . . The One through Whom God will judge humanity . . . How God has assured us this will occur. That is focused preaching! He always brought the people back to His subject . . . His theme . . . His message.
SOME SEED THOUGHTS
The texts on which your thoughts are being presented are key texts in Scripture. They are the sort of texts that should dominate your preaching. They are foundational texts that bring you into the larger room of God's eternal purpose. They are also texts that show salvation, with all of its greatness, to be accessible to all mankind. The following thoughts are not intended to identify the only way of seeing these texts. These represent my own perceptions of them--perceptions I expect to enlarge as I grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. These reflect my own walk with the Lord. You will see these texts from the place In the Kingdom you presently occupy. I am careful to add this is not a license to "go every where preaching," so to speak. Our preaching must always be harmonious with Divine objectives, and never contradictory of them. The truth of God is like a multi-faceted jewel. Each facet is glorious, enhancing our appreciation of salvation. The facets are also perfectly harmonious with each other. One valid view of the Gospel will never conflict with another valid view--just as one affirmation of Scripture will never conflict with another one. Wesley preached holiness, Spurgeon preached grace, Calvin preached sovereignty, Luther preached faith . . . etc. The kernel of what each man proclaimed did not contradict what the others taught. Seen properly, they were complementary of each other. When you preach truth, with a godly emphasis, it will blend with all other truthful preaching. Romans 1:16-17 (NIV) I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written:"The righteous will live by faith."Focus: The Gospel of Christ. It is God's means to salvation. It is universal in its offer. It is powerful when believed. It reveals God's righteousness. It makes known how that righteousness can be appropriated by everyone. It is confirmed by Scripture. Romans 2:28-29 (NIV). A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God. Focus: How God sees men. God does not classify men by race.
External conformity does not bring real distinction. The real sign and seal is in man's basic constitution--his heart. The source of the change is the Holy Spirit. Written codes cannot reshape men. God's approval is the issue. Romans 3:21-23 (NIV)But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Focus: God's righteousness. It is a righteousness that is revealed. It is made known independently of Law. Both the Law and the Prophets pointed to this righteousness, but did not give it. It is given by God. It is appropriated by means of faith. It is effectualized through Jesus Christ. It is for everyone that believes. It is our sin that qualifies us for the blessing, because sin is the common factor. Romans 4:5-6 (NIV) However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works. Focus: The justification of sinners. Man cannot be justified by working. Trusting God is the means. Even the wicked can be brought to trust God. Men are righteous because they believe. Scripture fully supports this affirmation. God credits righteousness, He does not award it. Men appropriate righteousness independently of their accomplishments. Romans 4:20-24 (NIV)Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." The words "it was credited to him"were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness--for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. Focus: Imputed righteousness. Abraham is an example of the possibility of believing God. Faith does not balk at God's promise. God is glorified by our faith. Faith is convinced God can do what He says. God honors such faith by credited righteousness to the believer. Abraham's case is not a point of history, but an example of how God gives righteousness. God will credit righteousness to those believing what He has said about His Son. Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heartthat God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and arejustified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Focus: Your salvation. You cantruthfully acknowledge Jesus is Lord. You can believe this in your heart, without doubting. Believingcenters in God's view of Jesus as demonstrated in His resurrection. The heart is what is convinced of thetruth of Jesus. Justification results from believing. Salvation results from confession, or heartfelt acknowledgment.
QUESTIONS
1 What do you think of whenm you hear the word "focus?"
2 What did this lesson mean by coming back to your point?
3 Should our preaching have the same purpose as God's WSord?
4 Is it right to preach something you do not understand?
5 What is the "focus" or Romans 3:21-23?
Our next lesson will be "PREACHING WHAT YOU CAN SEE." The most powerful preaching occurswhen you yourself understand what you are saying--when you are communicating something you haveperceived. We will touch on HOW you can obtain a larger understanding. We will also emphasize theimportance of staying within the range of your spiritual vision. Remembering that our textbooks are Romans and First Corinthians, review the following texts. Select one with which you are comfortable. Prepare a five minute presentation that shares what you have seen. This is to be a straight- forward sharing of your insights. Seek to express yourself in Scriptural terms as best you can. Ask the Lord to help you project your heart, and to do so in language that pleases Him. He will see to it that it get through to the people. Determine what you CAN see in these texts--not what you WANT to see. Say it as succinctly as you can, in a few words. This is to be a PIECE of a sermon, and not the sermon itself. Romans 14:1: Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. Romans 15:1: We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Romans 7:18: I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:38-39: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:18: For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:12-13: We have not received the spirit of the world but the spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 1 Corinthians 3:21-23: So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future--all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God. 1 Corinthians 5:9-101. I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people--not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.
Lesson Three
PREACHING WHAT YOU CAN SEE
by Given O. Blakely
The preacher is not a purveyor of second-hand material. While this has a show of wisdom, and is recognized as a valid form of instruction by the world, it is not so in the kingdom of God. The preacher is a husbandman in the vineyard of the Lord. As such, he must first partake of the fruit he is sharing with the hearers. No person, no matter how well credentialed, or how excellent in presentation skills, has been commissioned by God to preach what he does not know. This lesson will focus on the importance of declaring what you have seen yourself, and being confident that this goal is attainable.
INTRODUCTION
We Are Participators!
Every facet of the Kingdom of God involves participation. Every covenantal benefit is dispensed within the framework of "the knowledge of God," or intimacy with Him (2 Pet 1:2,3,8; 2:20; 3:18). In the same way, truth cannot be profitably disseminated without first being ingested by the speaker. Truth cannot sanctify others unless it has first sanctified the individual speaking it. I say this with some caution, knowing that God can speak through Balaam and Caiaphas, although they personally were dissociated from the truth they spoke (2 Pet 2:15-16; John 11:49-51). Their role, however, is not the norm for the body of Christ. They were the exception, not the rule. The standard is this: those that walk with God can speak for Him.
The Reason for Participation
There is a reason for this general requirement. The individual delivering the message can be a hindrance to its acceptance. "Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things" (Tit 2:10). "Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed" (1 Tim 6:1). Both admonitions are given to "servants" -- those that are not their own, but belong to another. Yet, there is a principle to be seen here. There is a direct correlation between the "doctrine" (teaching) and those that have embraced it. Even more, it is true of those that teach.
THE PRINCIPLE BEFORE US
Truth Sanctifies
This does relate to our subject; ingesting the truth that you proclaim. Truth has a sanctifying power. This is the proclamation of the Lord Jesus Himself. "Sanctify them through thy truth: Thy word is truth" (John 17:17). "And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth" (John 17:19). This is truth internalized, or experienced by the believer. More technically, it is obeying the truth: "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit . . . " (1 Pet 1:22). Motives and desires are altered when you bring your life into conformity with the truth. Affection is now set on "things above," and not on things on the earth (Col 3:1-3). This puts a new perspective on teaching. You now speak with heaven in view. The will of God dominates your thinking, and your desire is to enable others to enjoy the same blessing.
The Word Engrafted
The Word of God obtains its greatest power when it is "engrafted," becoming a part of you. "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21). Under the law, the thoughts and ways of the people were at variance with those of God. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD" (Isa 55:8). But this is not true in Christ Jesus. In the new covenant, the laws of God are written upon our hearts and placed in our minds (Heb 8:10). This is a condition where the redeemed are brought into agreement with God. In other words, you think like God so far as His Word is engrafted in you.
Knowing the Truth
There is yet another aspect to this. When the truth is known, or experienced in the inner man, it brings liberty from the contaminants of earth. "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). This freedom is required for the profitable communication of the Word of God. As you teach, your person is mingled with the things you declare, either adding to or taking from your teaching. Remember, when the Master Preacher spoke, people sensed a difference in His instruction. He Himself had entered the things He declared. "And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes" (Matt 7:29). In your individual measure, you can partake of this benefit, standing apart from the multitude of mediocre preachers that have flooded the church. Praise God, you do not have to be in that category.
SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING
Special Understanding
Precisely what is "spiritual understanding?" First, it is understanding that is received from God. This is "understanding" centering in another realm, and it deals with "things above" (Col 3:2). Second, it is real understanding, not a mystical experience that excludes the involvement of the human mind. To some, "spiritual" and "understanding" are contradictory and irreconcilable things. Thus, something "spiritual" is perceived as beyond the grasp of "understanding." Others see "understanding" as purely within the confines of the human intellect. Both views are wrong. In Christ, the Holy Spirit joins with the human spirit as the mind is directed toward the truth of God. The result is "spiritual understanding" -- the comprehension of things conceived in the mind of God, yet given to the sons of men.
Not Automatic
This type of understanding does not come automatically. This is seen in the prayer of Paul for the Colossians. "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Col 1:9-10). Observe that being "fruitful in every good work" requires the possession of "spiritual understanding." Also, this dimension of comprehension allows one to Thus, one becomes more conversant concerning the Person and purpose of the Almighty God."increase in the knowledge of God." This has a direct bearing upon the appointed role of teaching. The person with "spiritual understanding" has, in fact, partaken of the fruit of the kingdom. Such an one is communicating what has been personally comprehended and appreciated. The power of this kind of communication is beyond estimation.
Use Your Mind
Understanding, while coming from God, necessarily follows the activity of our mind. Paul's admonition to Timothy confirms this to our hearts. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" (2 Tim 2:7). Notice: Timothy was to "consider" what Paul had said. He was to devote his mind to it, perusing its breadth and depth. Yet, this was not the end of the matter. In that act of involvement, the Lord would "give" him "understanding in all things." What a blessed condition; and it is available to every "preacher" of the good things of God.
God Opens The Understanding
You must not miss this point, or underestimate its indispensable value in teaching. In Christ, we have increased capabilities to understand. Yet, those capabilities cannot become fruitful through our effort alone. Because we are in an evil world, surrounded by innumerable distractions, we must be "enlightened," or enabled to see the unseeable, and know the unknowable. Thus did Paul pray for the Ephesians; "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us- ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places" (Eph 1:18-20). Knowing these things is essential to excellence in teaching.
Seeing the Scope
Yet another example is necessary. The devil will make every effort to obscure this truth to you. He does not mind if you rely upon language, commentaries, or even your natural capacities of discernment. He knows this will not yield the results desired by our Lord. Once again, Paul prays for the Ephesians; "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Eph 3:16- 19).
Truth has tremendous scope. It has breadth, with staggering implications. It has length, with long-term views and effects. God's truth also has depth, challenging both heart and mind. Too, it has height, reaching into heaven itself, exposing us to the "eternal purpose" of God (Eph 3:11). No one can hope to plumb these things without divine intervention! The Spirit must strengthen you, and Christ must dwell within you for this to take place.
Give Me Understanding!
The Psalmist often asked the Lord to give him understanding. As he walked about the circumference of truth, he sensed its magnitude, as well as the staggering deficiency of the natural mind. Join with him in the earnest plea. "Give me understanding . . . " (Psa 119:34,73,125,144,169). "Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works" (Psa 119:27). Never be ashamed of identifying yourself with holy man that asked for understanding!
NOT SEEING WHAT YOU PREACH
Is it possible to preach something you yourself have not seen? Indeed it is! But this is not a condition you want to exist. Such teaching is never praised in Scripture, although it is frequently found among those professing allegiance to the Word of God. You Can Miss the Point Paul warned of some whose doctrine corrupted rather than edified. One identifying mark of those defiling the truth is this: they do not understand what they said. "From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm" (1 Tim 1:6-7). Notice, they wanted to be teachers of the law, but that was not sufficient. Their ambition was not motivated by faith. Therefore, it caused them to swerve from the right path, going up the profitless tributary of "vain jangling," or "meaningless talk" (NIV). In the above text, Paul "urged" Timothy to remain in Ephesus so that he might "command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer, nor devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies." Such things "promote controversies rather than God's work," he affirmed (v 3-4, NIV). The objective of the commandment "is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere (unfeigned, KJV) faith" (v 5, NIV). Some preachers, however, sharply swerved from the goal of "a good conscience and a sincere faith." The evidence of their departure from those qualities was found in their teaching. Their words degenerated into "meaningless talk," because they did not "know what they were talking about" (NIV). Suffice it to say, you must strive to understand what you teach! If you do not, your teaching will surely become "vain jangling."
LABORING IN THE WORD AND DOCTRINE
While our subject is not confined to elders, there is a word concerning them that is appropriate here. "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine" (1 Tim 5:17). The point to be seen is this: there is a type of effort that is exalted in the kingdom of God. Laboring in the "word and doctrine" involves the energetic exertion of--mind, heart, and soul energy! A good preacher is one that works at it; works in research, works in prayer, and works in communication. Hastily prepared Saturday night lessons neither commend the preacher nor edify the student.
The Nature of the Labor
The NIV translates this verse, "especially those whose work is preaching and teaching." This is a very weak expression. "Whose work" seems to place the emphasis on responsibility. "who labor" emphasizes the willingness of the worker. The word "work" denotes unusual activity. The lexical definition "work" in this text is: toil (as reducing the strength), lit. or fig.; by implication pains: labor, trouble, weariness.); to feel fatigue; by implication to work hard:--(bestow) labor, toil, be wearied." This is a description of willing effort that depletes human resources. It also the confrontation of obstacles and hindrances. The one that "labors in the word and the doctrine" overcomes deterrents that stop the average person. There is an element of inconvenience related to teaching that does not discourage such a person. His heart is in the work, and it has brought a harvest of truth to his spirit.
The Total Mind Is Involved
Laboring, or toiling, in the "word and doctrine" also extends beyond the common perception of "preaching and teaching." In Scripture, the term "preaching" is normally represented by a word meaning to proclaim, publish, or announce. This is not the word used in this text. The word translated "word" is logos [log-os]. The foundational meaning of this word is relevant to this discussion. "logos, log'-os; something said (including the thought); by implication a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive . . . " Laboring in the word entails contemplation and reasoning. The preacher has an objective that is harmonious with God's revealed purpose. His preaching includes reasoning designed to clarify the truth of God to the hearers. If you have been in Christ for any length of time, you know that there are members of the body that have this trait. They are the real preachers.
You Are Working With God
In all of this "work," do not forget that the preacher is laboring together with God (1 Cor 3:9). Such activity is truly work, but it is not debilitating activity. Energy is expended, yet strength is renewed. There is a certain refreshment that comes to such workers that is known only by them. No amount of academic expertise and discipline can compensate for a lack of fellowship with God. If we are not working with Him, our work is without any redeeming value! We thus are only clanging cymbals!
PARTAKING OF THE FRUITS
There Is A Harvest
Extensive effort in the field of truth will yield a harvest. That harvest must be tasted by the laborer before it is passed on to others. What is more, the preacher is like a caretaker of the domain of truth--a "husbandman." He/she is not an owner, but a caretaker; a custodian of the truth of God. Hear the word of God to the "husbandman." "The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits" (2 Tim 2:6).
Strength Is Required
What sort of activity constitutes "labor?" The "labor" will require strength and fortitude that can only be found in the grace of God. "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (v 1). It also requires alertness; being on the watch for competent individuals that can join in the labors. "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (v 2). Because preachers are in a war zone, the ability to withstand evil encroachments is difficult. "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (v 3). Vigilance is required to avoid entanglement with the lesser things of this world. "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully" (v 4-5).
The First to Benefit
Preachers that zealously engage in these activities will be the first to eat the fruit. They will see the invigorating implications of the text. The glory of the doctrine will first dawn upon them. They will see its association with the purpose of God, and perceive its relevance to life. The Word of God will bring personal benefit to them, thereby enabling them to effectively communicate it to the people. Those that do NOT experience such things are, by that very condition, disqualified from the ministry of teaching.
More Than Academics
The "fruits" of the harvest involve more than an academic understanding of the text. The heart is strengthened by the fruit. The soul is gladdened as the effect of discernment is realized. A peace that passes understanding that floods the heart. Confidence in God begins to dominate, as reliance on the flesh wanes and finally disappears. How delightful to the heart experiencing such things! As you must know, there are many "preachers" that have never experienced these things. To them, teaching is a burden, laden with fear and foreboding. But it will not be so for those that "eat the fruit of their doings" (Isa 3:10), while working in the fruitful field of God's Word. To them, teaching will be a source of refreshment and happiness--both to themselves, and those that hear them.
This aspect of preaching cannot be overstated. If you do not comprehend what you are preaching, you will not be able to put all of your person into it. It will also open the door for Satan to hinder your effectiveness. Insight is an essential part of proclamation.
THE BLESSING OF FRESH MANNA
A Parallel From the Past
A marvelous parallel to this situation is found in the miraculous manna provided to Israel in the wilderness. The wonder of that food, however, did not reduce the requirement for effort by the people. God sent it, but they had to gather it. What is more, it had to be gathered within a certain period. Excessive manna could not be profitably gathered, for it would spoil after one day. Each day, the people had to eat fresh manna. God would not allow it to be any other way. Here is the record.
"This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents. And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less. And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating. And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning. Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them. And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted" (Exo 16:16-21).
Give It When It Is Fresh
Spiritual insight is like that manna; it does not last beyond current usefulness. I realize that some do attempt to carry old insights from lesson to lesson, so to speak. But they help neither themselves nor those that hear them. If the Word of God is not burning in your heart, it will not ignite the spirit of others. Labor in the Word until your heart is burning; then speak while the fire burns! Thus is it written, "My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue" (Psa 39:3).
The productive preacher communicates spiritual realities by which he/she is currently being affected. Though the facet of truth with which he/she is dealing may not be totally new, yet the characteristic of newness remains within it. The expanse of kingdom realities has produced expectancy in the preacher. The vistas of truth are unfolding in his heart, bringing a vibrancy to the message. As his heart burns within him, his speech will be blessed.
This is not to be confused with mere human charisma or dynamism. The kingdom of God has its own sphere of power and effectiveness, and it is spiritual. The truth ignites the spirit, not merely the manner, of the preacher. As the truth sanctifies the human spirit, it vivifies the message to all that have received the love of the truth. This freshness is as indispensable to the preacher as daily manna was to Israel in the wilderness. Whatever robs your message of freshness also robs it of power. Make it your aim to possess your subject to the fullest extent possible Leave no stone unturned in this quest. This is more than merely being emotional! It is being insightful.
SPEAKING FROM YOUR OWN TREASURY
A Personal Treasury
The preacher has a personal treasury of truth. It consists of the things he/she has seen and heard. More particularly, the understanding and appreciation of Scripture is the heart of your treasury. More than an understanding of the circumstances under which Scripture was written, the correlation of the text with God's "eternal purpose" is perceived. There is a certain rationale in Scripture that transcends the immediate issues with which it deals (i.e., the Thessalonians not working, the Galatians being inclined to law, immorality in Corinth, the selection of leaders in First Timothy, etc). The correlation of specific texts with the "purpose" of God, of the perception of the rationale that permeates Scripture, enables the preacher to make insightful applications of truth.
Some of these insights occurred in the past, while others are "hot off the press," so to speak. Jesus said it this way; "Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old" (Matt 13:52). The NIV emphasizes that the "scribe" is a preacher, not merely a "note-taker." "He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old" (Matt 13:52).
It Is the Preacher's Treasury
Notice that the treasury, or storehouse, belonged to the preacher; it was "his." Observe also that he is "instructed about the kingdom of heaven." Like Samuel, He knows the "manner of the kingdom" (1 Sam 10:25). This knowledge is revealed in the blending of "old" and "new" treasures from his "storehouse." The insightful preacher can correlate Scripture in the field of truth being cultivated. This does not mean the preacher knows everything about every affirmation of God's Word. It does mean he teaches only those things with which he is familiar.
For many years, I have preceded my personal studies with a prayer for understanding. I have gauge the success of my study by this single criterion: did I see some fresh facet of truth? To put it another way, Did the panorama of truth become larger? Did the horizon of revelation become more beautiful and extensive? Did my appreciation for the Word of God grow, and my thanksgiving increase? The experience of these things increases your personal treasury.
Ask the Lord to Increase Your Treasury
Ask the Lord to help you develop and teach from a personal treasury of understanding. Ask Him to "enlarge" your heart (Psa 119:32); to give you a greater capacity for comprehending His truth. You will not be disappointed! The answer to your prayer will be reflected in your teaching. Such teaching will bring you pleasant experiences, and will not be easily forgotten by those fortunate enough to hear it. And remember, it is your treasury--a rich and valuable resource. Do not underrate the things you have been given to see! These are the fruits that you have eaten from the garden of God's Word, and they qualify you to teach for Him.
SPEAKING WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN AND HEARD
Our Great Example
When our blessed Lord was here, He set the tone for all kingdom labors. He communicated ONLY what He had "seen and heard." With Him, that involved "all things," and yet it reveals the very nature of godly teaching. "He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony" (John 3:31-32).
Peter and John
When "Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest," confronted Peter and John, they commanded them to refrain from preaching (Acts 4:6). The response of those bold proclaimers is noteworthy: " . . . we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20). That is the manner of the kingdom.
Saul Commissioned
Devout Ananias was sent by God to inform Saul of Tarsus that he had been chosen to communicate the Gospel. His commission to Saul again reveals the manner of the kingdom. "And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard" (Acts 22:14- 15).
The Aged Apostle
When John the beloved had grown old, and had gained respect in the household of faith, he maintained his grasp of this principle. He did not use his apostolic office to promulgate personal views or make a name for himself. Instead, he maintained the manner of the kingdom. "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3).
An Ongoing Experience
Seeing and hearing spiritual realities is an ongoing experience. It is the expansion of spiritual understanding and the enlargement of your kingdom perspective. It is possible for the preacher to experience such things on a daily basis. As you walk in the light, you will be illuminated. When you walk by faith, you will be convinced. When you live in the Spirit, you will be enlivened. That is the manner of the kingdom, and it is indispensable in the realm of teaching.
CONCLUSION
The requirement of first partaking of the fruit must not be viewed as a harsh and disqualifying law. This is a privilege granted by God in Christ. It provides an opportunity for the preacher to prove the faithfulness of the Lord. It brings glory to God and honor to Jesus. This is an area of blessing! The reality of "fruit" is a commentary on the preparations of the preacher. Your preparatory labor, when done in faith, will produce a harvest. God will see to it that it does. As you study and pray, look for the growth of satisfying spiritual produce! And, when you have tasted its sweetness, give a healthy helping of it to those you instruct. It will bring joy and satisfaction to every one that loves the truth, just as it did to you! It will also bring honor to the Savior Who has sent you.
QUESTIONS
1 What is one of the results of the Word being engrafted in a person?
2 What happens when we "know the truth?"
3 Explain in your own words what iks meant by God opening our understanding.
4 What does it mean to labor in the word and doctrine?
5 Should the preacher be the first one to see what he preaches?
ASSIGNMENT Pick one of the texts shown below, and an audience to which you will declare it. Remember the previous lessons we have had, and incorporate your perception of them into your presentation. (1) What God has said about preaching. You are engaged in a holy activity--one that has been ordained by God as the exclusive means through which men can be saved. He will bless your efforts as you enter into them with Him. The message He has given us is tailored for men, and they will be able to grasp what you say when it is blessed by God. (2) Focusing your preaching. Let your words be like nails that fasten the truth in men's hearts. Do not let your message get away from you by lingering too long on the condition of your audience. Your sermon is like a flashlight. Do not simply wave it about, but shine it on something of eternal relevance. (3) Preaching what you can see. Thoroughness is good, but insight is better. If you can bring your audience to see something you have seen, it will effect them like it has effected you. The point of this class is not to obtain a grade, or preach according to a prescribed pattern. Rather, it is to encourage you to be an effective preacher--to move men's hearts toward the Lord, and persuade them to take hold of His great salvation. And other view of preaching is unacceptable.
Lesson Four
CONSIDERING YOUR AUDIENCE
by Given O. Blakely
INTRODUCTION
The nobility and priority of preaching is worthy of your consideration. If you are in Christ, you are a product of preaching. The Lord employed the message of someone to penetrate your heart, making known its counsels. It is with you as with the Corinthians someone was given to you through whom you believed. As it is written, "What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each" (1 Cor 3:5). It was not viewing how these holy men lived that saved the Corinthians, but believing what they proclaimed! To be sure, their lives were harmonious with their message, but it was the message that had the power! The trite little saying, "I had rather see a sermon than hear one any time," is foolish, and appeals to those with little or no acquaintance with the ways of God. Our lives adorn the doctrine (Tit 2:10), but it is the doctrine that distills within the heart, bringing conviction and life (Deut 32:2).
Preaching, or proclaiming the Gospel, is not undergirded by human wisdom. It cannot be accomplished by following a prescribed procedure, or adhering to a scientific principle. You can be sure that the God Who declares the wisdom of this world to be "foolishness" (1 Cor 1:21; 3:19), will not employ it to accomplish His salvational objective in Christ Jesus. Reliance upon the flesh in preaching is as foolish and unacceptable as relying upon it for protection or justification. In my judgment, this cannot be overemphasized. You can imagine what would have happened if Paul would have sought to develop his apostleship by employing the things to which he was subjected as a pharisee. When he poignantly stated that he counted everything that was "gain" to him but "loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus," he was expressing the requisite for laboring in the vineyard of the Lord (Phil 3:8ff). While we are not expected to abandon thought, or take refuge in ignorance, our thinking processes and presentation skills can only be honed to their finest edge when we rely upon our God. At the point the wisdom of this world becomes inhibitive to faith, it becomes sinful, and is to be abandoned. That is something that must be determined by each individual, and it is to be done with the greatest of sobriety, and in complete reliance upon the Lord.
WHAT ABOUT YOUR AUDIENCE?
Preaching is never done mechanically, in ignorement of the audience that is being addressed. While we are not preaching to "please men" (Gal 1:10), we do seek to "to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith" in Christ (Acts 26:18). In this matter you find another opportunity to rely upon your God!
Think of the different audiences to whom the Gospel was preached in the book of Acts. Though not exhaustive, here is a sampling of the remarkable diversity of these audiences. (1. A multitude of devout men from every nation under heaven, guilty of murdering Jesus (Acts 2:14-36). (2. A group of people impressed by a great work of God (Acts 3: 12-26). (3. Enemies that sought to suppress the preaching of the Gospel (Acts 4:8-12; 5:29-32; 7:2-53). (4. A Samaritan city (Acts 8:5). (5. Before political officials (Acts 8:32-35; 22:2-21; 24:10-25; 26:2-25). (6. A Gentile that was a good man, with all his household (Acts 10:34-43). (7. Synagogues (Acts 13:16-41,44-47; 17:2-4). (8. A conference of Apostles and elders (Acts 15:7-11, 13-21). (9. A merchant at a prayer meeting (Acts 16:13-15). (10. A jailor (Acts 16:28-36). (10. Before heathen philosophers (Acts 17:22-31).
The early proclaimers of the Gospel did not have time to become specialists. Jesus has told them they would testify before people to whom they were not accustomed to speaking (Luke 12:11). While it is fashionable today to culture special preaching ministries, such activity must be done with care. You may very well have a burden for a certain body of people, and that is not to be condemned. However, if you are going to be used of God, you must become as versatile as your faith will allow. God may send a relatively unknown prophet like Jonah to a great city like Nineveh. He may also send a former Pharisee to the Gentiles, or a fisherman to the Jewish leaders. A former deacon in a provincial congregation may be sent to a desert road to speak to a political official from a distant country. There is not restraint with the Lord, and the preacher must learn to reckon upon that.
Preachers of Scriptural record did not simply spout forth a canned message, memorized and proclaimed without regard to the audience. Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, they could personalize the Gospel to a seeking Gentile like the Ethiopian eunuch, to those that had crucified the Lord of glory.
THE GOSPEL MESSAGE DID NOT CHANGE
The essential message of Christ did not change. There is only one Gospel, unchangeable in all of its aspects. If you examine the preaching in the book of Acts, you will find Christ consistently exalted. His resurrection is set forth as a pivotal doctrine, with His death as the appointed means of reconciliation. Men were also faced with the coming judgment, and their ultimate accountability to the Son of God. There was also a consist challenge for men to think on a higher level. You will not find condescending and simplistic presentations of the Gospel in Scripture. Men were addressed as the "offspring of God," with profound capabilities of thought and contemplation. An absolute reliance upon the Lord was also evident. The speakers did not become embroiled in the issues of the day, even though they often spoke to people that were caught up in such things. Peter did not speak on the glories of Jewish feasts on the day of Pentecost, nor did Philip speak on the relevance of financial responsibility to the eunuch. Stephen did not address the matter of scholarship or leadership to the Sanhedrin, and Paul did not speak on the virtues of synagogue worship to the Jews. When standing before Agrippa and Felix, Paul did not address the matter of honorable governors or equitable rule. Their consideration of the audience was at a different level.
SEE MEN AS GOD SEES THEM
Beware of perceiving men through psychological eyes, something that is highly fashionable in this generation. You do not favor to men, nor do you bring honor to God, by perceiving individuals as primarily male or female, bond or free, Jew or Gentile. More foolish still is the consideration of them as left- brain/right-brain people, or other forms of emotional classifications. This is not simply an opinion. New life in Christ does not allow such classifications. It is written, "For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more" (2 Cor 5:214-16, KJV). Another version puts it this way: "For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them. From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way" (NRSV). The Spirit is telling us the Kingdom of God does not permit fleshly evaluations. It is not only unlawful for the child of God to indulge in such assessments, it is against the nature of Kingdom life. It makes little difference who proposes such evaluative procedures, God does not allow it! The "human point of view" is the sinful and unacceptable point of view! Those in fellowship with the Lord simply do not engage in such assessments.
God has spoken on the classification of men. These are the primary classifications, with all others being subordinate to them.
Jews, Gentiles, and church of God. "Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God" (1 Cor 10:32).
Jews by nature and sinners of the Gentiles. "We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles" (Gal 2:15).
Those in the flesh, and those in the Spirit. "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit" (Romans 8:5). The natural man and the spiritual man. "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man" (1 Cor 2:14-15).
Alienated and reconciled. "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled" (Col 1:21).
CONSIDERATION IS AT THE POINT OF EXHORTATION
The point of exhortation is the primary point of audience consideration. Though not confined to this area of your presentation, here is where your power becomes focused. Those on the day of Pentecost were addressed as those that needed to change. The Ethiopian eunuch was directed to respond as one that had been convinced. The Philippian jailor was offered escape from doing himself harm. The Athenians and Stoics were summoned to prepare for confronting the Judge of all the earth. The Sanhedrin was told of their stubborn hearts. Paul reasoned with Felix concerning his relationship to God. Paul led the Lydia and her associates from praying to receiving God's great salvation.
You will note in each of the cases that holy men took people from where they were to a consideration of the Gospel of Christ. It was not so much WHO they were, but WHERE they were that made the difference. You may speak to a young person that is advanced, like David. You may also address prisoners that need comfort, like Paul or Epaphroditus. It may be your lot to speak to devout people who want to know the truth, but have simply never had the opportunity, like Cornelius or the Ethiopian eunuch. Or, you may have to address hardened people, who really have no interest in what you are saying, like the Sanhedrin or Felix.
Your job is not to present a feminine Gospel to ladies, or a juvenile one to young people. You are not to make the Gospel political to an official, or philosophical to a worldly thinker. You will never honor God by presenting His Son as a means to have fun to a lover of pleasure, or a way to promote equity to the political advocate. The preacher must always declare the Divine agenda. His job is to bring the people to a common place to a consideration of the truth of God.
In preaching, you are seeking to elevate people to bring them close enough to the truth of God to be able to grasp it by faith. The role of the preacher is never to tamper with truth, make it more appealing, or tailor it to the taste of the people. Bring the truth within the reach of the people, but do so by raising them to a point where earth is subordinate to heaven.
QUESTIONS
1 Is there a different Gospel for different kinds of audiences?
2 What do you think about the preacher seeing the people like God sees them?
3 What three classes of people are mentions in First Corinthians 10:32?
4 What does "exhortation" mean, and what is being done when people are exhorted?
5 What are solme ways you can bring the truth of God close to the people, so they can understand it?
PREACHING
Lesson Five
MAKING PREACHING RELEVANT
by Given O. Blakely
INTRODUCTION
Preaching is not a form of entertainment. Its purpose is not to provide some respite from the boredom of everyday life. Neither, indeed, is it intended to address life from an earthly point of view. True preaching is a channel through which the thinking of your audience is brought into alignment with heaven. It sets before men a spiritual perspective and urges their involvement in it. If you will listen carefully to the preaching of our day, you will find that it falls far short of this. Too much of it is designed to entertain men, giving them a little laughter, and rounding it out with some tear-jerking emotion. Such preaching is not recognized in heaven, and it must not be honored by you.
REMEMBER WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED
Keep in mind what we have said thus far about preaching. First, God has spoken on the subject. He has revealed this is His ordained way of saving those that believe. The announcement of amnesty, proclamation of propitiation, and report of reconciliation are the means He uses to touch the hearts of people. The substance of preaching is the Gospel. That is the hub upon which all valid proclamation turns--the Person and accomplishments of the Lord Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son (Acts 8:5; 9:20; 1 Cor 1:23). Second, Preaching has a focus--a central theme that makes it powerful. From the standpoint of a Person, that focus is Jesus Christ. From the standpoint of a message, it is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. From the standpoint of provision, it is the "salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory" (2 Tim 2:10).
Third, Preach what you can see, or understand. Do not theorize or speculate in your preaching! Do not preach dictionaries, history, and lexicons! Preach what you have "seen and heard" (Acts 4:20; 22:15; 1 John 1:3). Remember, "The husbandman that laboreth must be first partaker of the fruits" (2 Tim 2:6). When the Word of God makes sense to you, and you have yourself grasped it, you can preach with power. Fourth, Consider your audience. View them as God would view them. Do not think of them in terms of fleshly distinctions--something that is not allowed by the Lord. You are NOT to judge "according to appearance" (John 7:24), and life in Christ does not provide for knowing men "according to the flesh," or "From a human point of view" (2 Cor 5:16). You do not one a favor, and you neutralize your preaching, by seeing them as a member of the X-generation, left brained people, men or women, or some other psychological distinction. They may be "not far from the kingdom of God" (Mark 12:34), "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph 2:1-2), "strangers and pilgrims in the world" (1 Pet 2:11), "overtaken in a trespass" (Gal 6:1), or even "lukewarm," "hot,", or "cold" (Rev 3:15-16) but see them from God's perspective! Preach with that perspective in mind!
DEFINITION OF TERMS
What do we mean by "making preaching relevant"? Relevant means (1) bearing on, or connected with the subject at issue, (2) crucial to the case before us, or (3) of current interest--a live issue. Making preaching relevant is NOT laying it along side the issues of the day. It is NOT an attempt to provide answers for questions raised by the contemporary generation. In the Kingdom, relevance is always perceived from God's perspective. If it does not have something to do with what God is doing, it is NOT relevant. If preaching does not have Jesus at its heart, it is NOT relevant. If it does not have to do with getting people ready to face God and enter into eternity, it is NOT relevant. Preaching is not simply the conveyance of information. It is the appointed means of bringing Divine influence to bear upon the hearts and consciences of men.
By "making preaching relevant," I mean you extend yourself to be a vessel of honor, suitable for God to use in bringing the people to Himself through His Son. Your role is not to find out what men consider to be "live" topics, or to assess what people want to hear. Your preaching must fit into the Divine agenda, or it is pointless. When your preaching is truly relevant, it will enable men to make progress toward the Lord. Alien sinners, if they will hear, will be provoked to call upon the name of the Lord. Believers that are in stressful times will derive comfort and consolation. Those that have lapsed into slothfulness will be jarred from their complacency. Those that are energetically fighting the good fight of faith will be energized by your preaching to press the battle and cast down imaginations!
As a preacher, your role is to impact men for eternity to bring them to a position where they can become involved in the grand and glorious purpose of God. This is an "eternal purpose," that will extend beyond time and this present evil world. When that remains dominant in your thinking, your preaching will be undergirded by the Lord Himself!
A SPIRITUAL VIEW OF RELEVANCE
If you do not make serving and pleasing the Lord your objective, you will be confused by the word "relevance." People who are living at a distance from God will try and set your preaching agenda. Even though they are living in spiritual darkness, they suppose they know what they need, and will want you to supply it. To them, "relevance" means meeting their perceived needs and desires. Remember, "For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ" (Gal 1:10, NASB). As a servant of God, no provision is made for you to depart the Divine agenda, or preach for purposes other than those God has ordained.
This does not reduce your preaching to insignificance. Rather, it provides access to Divine power and blessing. When you are on God's side and are perceptive of what He is doing in Christ, your preaching becomes truly relevant. It is at that point that it becomes practical, beneficial, and a blessing to those that receive it. I want to ever keep before you the centrality of God's "eternal purpose" (Eph 3:11). This is a term that represents what God has determined to do, and what He is doing in the Lord Jesus Christ. Here, in God's "eternal purpose," we find the reason for the creation of man and the universe in which he resides. The reason for the Law, the prophets, and the sending of His only begotten Son are found here. His "eternal purpose" dictated both the reason and content of the Scriptures. God has never acted out of harmony with this purpose, and He ever seeks to draw mankind into it. Jesus Christ functions as our Representative in strict accord with this purpose. We were called according to this purpose (Rom 8:28). This is the "good and acceptable, and perfect will of God" that is to be appropriated by the people of God (Rom 12:2). God has "saved us and called us" according to this purpose (2 Tim 1:9).
This "eternal purpose" is revealed from several different perspectives in Scripture. In a consummate sense, it is stated this way. "And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one Head, even Christ" (Eph 1:9-10, NIV). From the standpoint of progression, it is states succinctly in Romans 8:29-30. "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified" (NASB). In summary, this purpose involves God receiving glory for His wisdom and grace. He has determined to bring men into intimate association with Himself through Jesus Christ. That relationship begins in this world in the new birth. It will continue throughout the ages to come with the redeemed being "like" the Son (1 John 3:1-3), reigning with Him (Rom 8:17), and being "joint heirs" of all things with Christ (2 Tim 2:13; Rom 8:l7b; Rev 22:5). Everything in Scripture contributes to this purpose, preparing those that believe for personal involvement in God's grand objective.
When rebuke, correction, and instruction in righteousness are employed, they are never ends of themselves. They are always designed to bring men within the circumference of hearing, so they can be involved in the purpose of God. Correctness of life is not an end of itself, but a preparation for eternity. If men cannot live unto God in this world, how can they ever expect to live with Him eternally? When you preach, you are not doing so to merely get things to run smoothly, or remove dissension, or develop a pleasant environment. There certainly is nothing wrong with these things, but they are not large enough to occupy the principle place in preaching. Our country may need to repent, homes may need to be in harmony, and immorality in the country may need to be subdued. Such issues, however, are not large enough to support the burden of preaching. They are PART of the whole, and not the whole itself. They are important, but not all important. These issues are not large enough to provoke God to send a Redeemer, Author the Scriptures, and marshal the resources of heaven.
When your preaching majors on God's objective, it will include peripheral matters. National, domestic, and personal issues will be addressed with the "mind of Christ." You must be willing to trust God in your preaching, believing that the Gospel is "the power of God unto salvation" (Rom 1:16). Leave your people sensing their need to involvement in the will of the Lord. Lay upon their conscience what God is doing in Christ Jesus! Do not allow yourself to drift into the agenda of the people. The chart that follows provides my own perspective of preaching that is relevant. In summary, the further we get from an emphasis on the purpose of God, the more irrelevant our preaching becomes. If, for example, you allow yourself to become an institutional man, your preaching will become irrelevant. By "institutional man," I mean one that primarily serves the religious organization. The purpose becomes to build the institution and guarantee its longevity.
CONCLUSION
In preparing to preach, fill your mind the Word of God. Cultivate your soul with prayer and meditation. Get yourself unplugged from the "fashion of this world" (1 Cor 7:31). Determine to view the Word of God from the standpoint of God's purpose. I cannot overemphasize this. I have become acutely aware of the corruption that can enter into preaching when it is prompted by the wrong motivation. Allow me to give you an example.
Example 1: Because of the dramatic decline in family values, some have taken upon themselves to make the restoration of the family their primary objective. No one, of course, in possession of a sound mind, does not long for godly families. However, if you make that your objective, it will impact upon your preaching. You probably have heard sermons that were reflected this emphasis. Those delivering them read the Bible with the family in mind, and they came up with rather strange conclusions. Such men have no compunctions about speaking derogatorily of great saints of God--men that have received God's approval and commendation. But this Divine approval is not seen when the Word of God is read through the template of domestic concerns. Thus, men will speak about Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David being bad fathers. They hold them up to ridicule, telling us how they were neglectful of their families, setting a terrible example for us all. For carnal people, their reasoning sounds good enough--but that is only because they are carnal.
When God spoke about Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, He did not so represent them. He identified Himself as "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob," and declared David to be a man "after His own heart" and the "sweet psalmist of Israel." Why the difference in God's assessment of these men? He certainly knew of their failings, yet did not represent them as failing people. The reason is simply this: they are represented within the context of God's "eternal purpose." They are pivotal men in the Divine economy for that reason. As soon and do not miss this as soon as they are represented within the context of family life, they become irrelevant. They no longer are longer viewed in relation to what God is doing. As a consequence, such preaching is no longer relevant to the work of God. Their record loses its edifying power to the listener, and they can actually be held in contempt, though approved by God.
I am quick to say that the family is not neglected by maintaining a godly emphasis. When the husband and wife relationship, for example, is seen as a mirror of Christ and the church, it will have a calculated effect upon the way husband and wife live.
Example 2: The rise of religious institutions to supremacy has produced a crop of evil fruit. Not the least of this corrupt harvest is the distortion of the Word of God. Take, for example, the nearly universal emphasis on what is called "the great commission." Although extremely sensitive ground, I am constrained to speak to this matter. If it were possible for a person to know only the language and terminology of Scripture, he would be confused by the term "great commission." Firstly, it is not found in Scripture. Secondly, the text to which this phrase is ascribed is never declared to be the center-post of preaching. Nor, indeed, is it set forth as the heart of spirituality and godly living. Those are simply the facts in the case. No church of Scriptural record was ever reminded of the words of Matthew 28:18-20 or Mark 16:15-16. Peter referred to what was said on the Mount of transfiguration (2 Pet 1:17-18). Paul mentioned what Jesus told Him about the table of the Lord (1 Cor 11:23-24). Again, Paul recalled the words of our Lord, that "it is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). But there as no reference to, what men call, "the great commission." Mind you, they DID what the Lord declared, but it was not the center of their proclamation.
Men today have read the Bible through the template of this "great commission." It has caused such distortions that some have even derided an emphasis upon feeding the church of God (Acts 20:28) and nourishing the people of God. Some have been bold enough to say "No one should hear the Gospel twice until every one has heard it once." Many assemblies have been tailored for the express purpose of reaching the lost--even though this contradicts everything that is said about saints assembling together.
If God's purpose is to "win the lost," then what will be done in the ages to come? Such is not an eternal purpose, and thus cannot accomplish the will of the Lord. But if a person will give themselves to the purpose of God, sinners will be converted, and men will turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God. Such wonderful realities are part of His purpose, but they do not occupy the chief position! I am going to wax bold at this point. Preaching that makes reaching the lost the preeminent matter is irrelevant. Such is in sharp conflict with what God has declared, and thus cannot accomplish His purpose. When Jesus ascended on high, He gave gifts to men. Those gifts were given to accomplish the purpose of God. How marvelous that purpose! From the standpoint of communication and ministry, it was "to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work" (Eph 4:12-16, NRSV). If preaching to believers does not have this objective, it is irrelevant.
From the standpoint of preaching to those that are alienated, the purpose is stated in Christ's commission to Paul. " . . . to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me" (Acts 26:18, NASB). The objective is not simply to make people "Christians," so to speak. It is to bring them to the eternal inheritance which is reserved in heaven for those in the Son. If that is not the objective behind the preaching, it becomes irrelevant. Make preaching a serious matter, and God will bless your efforts!
QUESTIONS
1 What does "relevant" mean,. and what do you think about it?
2 What are some ways in which you can prepare to preach?
3 Is the family a suitable subject to emphasize in preaching?
4 In preaching, should we try and promote our own church or denomination?
5 What does "speaking the truth in love" mean?
PREACHING
Lesson Six
AVOIDING DIVINE JUDGMENT
by Given O. Blakely
INTRODUCTION
If preaching is a preeminent activity in the Kingdom of God, it follows that men will especially be held accountable for their preaching. There are a great number of approaches to preaching that are common in educational circles. Some of them do have some merit, although they must be approached with a caution dictated by faith. However, I do not know of any contemporary approach to preaching that emphasizes the accountability of the preacher to the One that sends the preacher--the Living God!
Preachers are Sent!
Scripture apprizes us that a person cannot preach "unless they are sent" (Rom 10:15). Speaking representatives of God have always been chosen and sent by God Himself. Moses the lawgiver was sent by God Ex 3:13). All of the prophets were sent by God (Jer 7:25). John the Baptist was sent by God (John 1:6). Jesus Himself was sent by God. The Apostles were sent by the Son of God (John 20:21). Through Jeremiah, God confirmed that a false prophet is someone God did NOT send (Jer 14:14; 23:21,32; 27:15).
How Can You Know?
The knowledge of this condition has produced numerous questions in the minds of aspiring preachers. How do they know they are "sent?" How can they be assured they are within the will of the Lord . . . etc. This, of course, is answered in the very nature of the New Covenant. "They shall all know Me," declares the Lord, "from the least to the greatest" (Jer 31:34; Heb 8:11). In Christ Jesus, we are sensitized to the will of the Lord, as well as the Lord Himself. God's will is not discerned procedurally, or by formulae, but by personal acquaintance with Him. God has "set the members in the body as it has pleased Him" (1 Cor 12:18). Each of those members is accountable to the Lord for their deportment in that position. Grace will be given to them to execute their office with pleasing precision. If they fail to conduct themselves in a manner that will glorify the Lord, they will be held in strict accountability.
A Needed Perspective
In my judgment, this knowledge is sorely needed among those who preach the Word. Preaching is not an activity of career advancement. It is not an appointed way to become popular, or to become prominent among men. This is the means God has chosen to bring and maintain faith to the sons of men. It is a activity that can bring unusual blessing or cursing.
A Suggestion
At least three things need to come together for the preacher to have confidence he is "sent" of God. First and foremost, he must have something to say. God sends no preachers without a message! It is possible to want to say something, and really have nothing to say. Such was the case with Ahimaaz, who insisted on running to King David to report the outcome of a battle. As he stood before the king he said, "I saw a great tumult, but I did not know what it was" (2 Sam 18:21). Alas, many a young preacher has so spoken. They know something was happening, but did not know what it was. They knew Jesus had accomplished something, but were unaware of what it was. They knew a message was in the Scriptures, but knew not what it was. Let it be clear, God sends no such messenger. The person sent by God HAS A MESSAGE! There is something burning shut up in his bones. It wears him out keeping it silent, and finally cannot help but speak it. Jeremiah put it this way. "Then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; And I am weary of holding it in, And I cannot endure it" (Jer 20:9, NASB). The person from God HAS A MESSAGE--something to say! Second, the preacher sent from God has a desire to proclaim the message. He is not like Jonah, who received a message and, for a while, did not want to tell it (Jonah 1:3). He was not allowed to preach until he wanted to do it! Finally, from the bottom of the sea in a fish's belly, Jonah became willing to preach the message. It was after his willingness that God said, "Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and proclaim to it the proclamation (preaching, KJV) which I am going to tell you" (John 3:2, NASB). Third, there is an opportunity to declare the message burning in the heart. Paul calls this "a wide door for effective service" (1 Cor 16:9, NASB). Later Paul told the Corinthians a time "when a door was opened for me in the Lord" (2 Cor 2:12). It was a time when he was restless in spirit, unable to be content with remaining silent (v 13). Paul had a message to declare, and wanted to declare it. He knew, however, that only the Lord could provide the opportunity to effectively do this. Therefore he asked the Colossians to pray "that God may open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; in order that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak" (Col 4:3-4). Three things must be brought together to confirm you are sent. You must have something to say, fervently want to say it, and have an opportunity to do so. When these three things come together you are, in my judgment, "called," or "sent" to preach. Do so with power and confidence! The Lord sends and empowers!
HOW SERIOUS IS THE MATTER OF PREACHING?
The average speaking that is called "preaching" would lead you to believe it was not all that important. There are men that stand and speak in the name of the Lord that spend less time preparing to preach than they do in the preparation of a meal. For them, it is an activity that can be done with a small amount of thinking. They think nothing of memorizing what another person has said, or borrowing an outline from a friend, or simply talking about the hot issues of the day. They have seriously erred in their judgment! I want to encourage you NOT to be an average preacher--NOT to fit into the mold that is altogether too common among religious professionals. You would not want a mediocre surgeon performing heart surgery on you. You would avoid a run-of-the-mill boat builder, if you were preparing a vessel to sail across the ocean. The salvation and nourishment of souls for eternity is the most vital and enduring work ever instituted among the sons of men. It must be entered into with the utmost seriousness. So how does the individual avoid the judgement of God? How can the preacher be assured that when he stands before God--and he will--that he will be commended and not condemned? You must not be afraid to think about this. God will strengthen the individual that is truly concerned about what the Lord thinks of his efforts.
Be Diligent to Obtain God's Approval
Spend time preparing. Be disciplined in your approach. Have in mind to benefit the people of God and convict sinners. But OVER AND ABOVE those noble ambitions, seek to please God. As it is written, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth" (2 Tim 2:15, NASB). You are a "workman" in the Lord's field. It is His field, His purpose, His Word, and His people. You have been called along side of Him, to labor with Him (1 Cor 3:9). He is desirous to bless you, strengthen you, and reward you. You are part of a covenant of blessing--the New Covenant. Your ministry is to comport with that Divine objective. Some day you will stand before the Lord of glory, amidst the assembled universe. The eyes of the Lord, all of the holy angels, and the faithful of all ages will be upon you. You do not want to be ashamed in that day! You do not want to stand before the Lord as an unfaithful steward, or one that has missed the mark. The way to avoid such a position is to give diligence to be an unashamed workman. The secret is in the diligence--your diligence. In that fortitude you will experience the power of God. You will, by such holy activity, avoid the condemning judgment of God.
Please the Lord Now!
This is the time to please the Lord. It makes little difference whether or not the people are pleased, if your lord is NOT pleased. Take these words into your heart, and make them your own. "Therefore also we have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. or we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad" (2 Cor 5:9-10, NASB). To bring pleasure to your Lord--that is the objective. This is Divine delight. It is a sense of holy gratification at His investment in you. In your measure, determine to be classified with Paul--to be able to confess what he did. "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to his service" (1 Tim 1:12, NIV). By so doing, you WILL avoid the judgment of the Almighty.
Let the Lord Commend
At all cost, refrain from self-exaltation. The person who sees what they have done as "great" is not the individual the Lord approves. Human assessment is not the criterion for commendation. Hear what the Spirit says, "For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends" (2 Cor 10:18, NASB). Let ALL of your commendation is of the Lord first, and those who are faithful to Him second.
Do Not Impress Men
You will be tempted to impress men. That is one of Satan's chief tactics, designed to bring Divine disapproval. Paul once said, "If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Gal 1:10, NIV). Servitude to God comes to a grinding halt at the point men become dominant in our thinking! You have been entrusted with the glorious Gospel of Christ. It is a rich treasure, capable of inducing faith and fortifying the souls of saints. "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 cloak of covetousness; God is witness: nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ" (2 Thess 2:4-6, NASB). The Gospel is demeaned when it is covered with a mantel of humanly devised speech. It is robbed of its power when it covered with a mantel of humor, philosophy, or other forms of the wisdom of this world. Professed experts in the "art of preaching" will argue with this assessment, but their arguments are only words filled with air. God has spoken on this subject, and no contradicting word is to be honored with a listening ear! To seek to unduly impress men, or to seek honor from them, makes the preacher a burden. He then becomes a handicap to the hearers, standing between them and God As a barrier instead of a help. There is no cost too great to pay in order to avoid this condition.
Capitalize on Divine Provision
Target the communication of the essentials of the Kingdom, making them primary in your thinking and communication. Making main things primary will assist in avoiding the judgment of the Almighty. Hear the Word of the Lord. "Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men" (Rom 14:16-18, NASB). A specialist in resolving social difficulties is not necessarily the person "acceptable to God." Those, on the other hand, who IN "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" serves God, will be accepted by Him. Such will avoid the judgment of God! This is such an easy thing to miss. A little distraction, a little diversion, becoming caught up in things that are seen--and soon the preacher is not serving God in these things. You will not be able to communicate what you yourself do not have. Personal righteousness can be yours. A dominating peace, or awareness of reconciliation to God, can be yours. A spirit that rejoices in the Lord can be yours. Minister while you are in possession of these graces. They will help you avoid the judgment of God.
Preach Voluntarily
Preaching is not a mere job, or demanding responsibility. It is a unique opportunity to work together with God--to participate in a reign with Christ. There are rewards that will go alone to the preacher, and you do well to seek them. Paul spoke of this. "For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me" (1 Cor 9:17, NASB). The word "voluntarily" means spontaneously, or without the compulsion of law. He had been called by Christ to this noble work, but the insight of its glory proved a greater incentive for the Apostle than the burden of obligation. Here is one of the most sure ways to avoid the judgment of the Almighty--it is to be driven by a sense of and participation in the Gospel. This is the experience to which Paul referred when he said, "I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me" (1 Cor 15:10). If the preacher chooses to fulfill his calling unwillingly, or with a sense of obligation upon his heart, a penalty will be paid. "if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me." Ah, a hard text for the institutional man! If you do not freely give because you have freely received, you will preach with great handicap! Remember, our Lord spoke of those that simply served Him out of a sense or obedience--without heart, as it were. "So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done'" (Luke 17:10). Go beyond your obligation! You have a stewardship from God. See it as a blessing, a privilege, and a means of appropriating an exceeding and great reward from your Lord! You serve a gracious God!
CONCLUSION
The less the heart is involved, the more jeopardy there is. If you want to avoid the judgment of God, preach as a bearer of living waters. Show the people a well from which you yourself have been refreshed. Preach to please your Lord, and to save His people! Keep heaven in your eye! Declare war on anything and everything that obscures the Lord Jesus Christ or makes the appropriation of glory more difficult. Judgment day can be a time of blessing for you!
NEXT LESSON
A Pleasing Fragrance to God
Select one of the following texts for your presentation Matthew 5:13 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 1 Corinthians 1:21
1 How does God send preachers?
2 Should the preacher have a message -- something burning in his heart?
3 Is it important to you that God approves of your preaching?
4 Does the Lord commend those who preach His word, and itf so, should the preacher seek that commendation?
5 Should we try to impress men? If not, why not?
PREACHING
"For the message of the cross . . . is the power of God" (1 Cor 1:18)
Lesson Seven
A PLEASING FRAGRANCE TO GOD
by Given O. Blakely
INTRODUCTION
Preaching the Gospel (Mark 15:16), and preaching the Word(2 Tim 4:2) are among the most noble activities in the world. This is God's appointed means of effectuating His "great salvation" (1 Cor 1:21). Because of this circumstance, God is close-at-hand whenever men engage in preaching. At this point they interface with His "eternal purpose." Their preaching will be used by God to advance His purpose, or it will become an obstacle and hindrance to that grand objective. It is necessary to always keep this before your mind.
We live in a time of degenerate preaching, when men toy with the presentation of the Gospel and God's Word. They mingle it with the wisdom of men, decorate it with humorous anecdotes, and dilute it with attempts to satisfy souls with little interest in the Lord. This situation creates an environment in which mediocre preaching can flourish. But you must not allow this to happen. When this occurs, the entrance to the courts of the Lord is obstructed. Jesus referred to this when He said to the lawyers (supposed experts in the Law of the Lord), "Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered" (Luke 11:52). Recall His words to the religious elite of the day. "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in" (Matt 23:13). It was their preaching and teaching that accomplished this despicable deed. Men who supposedly came with knowledge and understanding, actually made it difficult for the people to understand the things of God. The preaching and teaching of these pretenders actually kept "the people" from entering into the kingdom of God.
All about us--in this very area--there are multitudes of people that remain in gross spiritual darkness. The times are like those that prevailed when Jesus was born. "The people" of God were sitting in darkness, or in a state of ignorance, even though religious teachers were in great number. When Jesus came, He shed light on those benighted people. Thus it is written, "THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SITTING IN DARKNESS SAW A GREAT LIGHT, AND TO THOSE WHO WERE SITTING IN THE LAND AND SHADOW OF DEATH, UPON THEM A LIGHT DAWNED" (Matt 4:16, NASB). The tragedy of this situation cannot be overstated. "The people" of God, in possession of the Word of God and the prophecies of a coming Redeemer, were "sitting in darkness." "The people" of God, with Pharisees, Scribes, Lawyers, Sadducees, Chief Priests, and a High Priest "were sitting in the land and shadow of death!" Can you see the gravity of the situation? Can you perceive the parallel with the times in which we live, and the generation we have been called to serve? Do you wonder why Jesus was so stern with the religious teachers of His day? His blistering rebukes of them are most remarkable. He extended no mercy to them, gave them no credit for being honest, and soundly condemned them. He held no classes for them to correct their theology, or chose disciples from among them. The words ring in my ears, "Woe to you scribes and Pharisees . . . Woe unto you blind guides . . . Woe unto you lawyers . . . " (Matt 23:13,16; Lk 11:52). It is not popular to say this--in fact it can even jeopardize your religious career (if there be such a thing). Still, we are living in the spiritual aftermath of spiritually deficient preaching. It has produced a harvest of spiritual ignorance, a lack of confidence, and a condition of spiritual impotence. The situation is inexcusable, and necessitates an aggressive return to the kind of preaching God "ordained" to "save them that believe." In my judgment, one of the primary ways to restore sound preaching is to determine that God will be pleased by our proclamation. After all, it is His Gospel that is being proclaimed, His agenda that is being served, and His purpose that is being fulfilled. You have the privilege of involvement in God's work--the ministry of reconciliation.
A SWEET SAVOR TO GOD
"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of His knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: to the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:14-17, KJV).
"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God" (NIV). This text of Scripture is particularly enlightening. It reveals the impact of declaring the mind of the Lord upon the Lord Himself. Repeatedly the Spirit refers to this effect: "the savor of His knowledge . . . a sweet savor of Christ . . . savor of death unto death . . . savor of life unto life." The NIV reads, "fragrance of the knowledge of Him . . . aroma of Christ . . . smell of death . . . fragrance of life." More than being an effect, this is a task, or commission! In Christ, God makes selected individuals adequate to produce this flagrance, or savor. It is a matter of stewardship.
No wonder Paul said, "And who is equal to such a TASK?" ("sufficient for these things", KJV). Woe be to the individual that seeks to equip preachers of the Gospel with the wisdom of this world. It is NOT an innocent gesture, and will not be overlooked by the One has commissioned the preaching. When you deal with preaching, you are dealing with the ordinance of God. This is something He has appointed, and which He uses to accomplish His objective for humanity. How does one become adequate for this task? Paul unveiled the means when he wrote, "Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, Who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" (2 Cor 3:5-6, NASB). Our adequacy must come from God, or we simply will not be adequate. After all, you are going to raise the dead, comfort the afflicted, convict the guilty, and announce release to the captives. Those are remarkable tasks, requiring remarkable resources. This lesson will deal with a primary way of obtaining those resources. In referring to a "sweet savor," or fragrance, the Spirit is not speaking about living, but about preaching. That is clear from the phrases "through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him" and "In Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God" (NIV). Furthermore, the fragrance is not to men, but to God. We have two allusions here. Both are taken from the times prior to the New Covenant. First, sacrifices are said to have produced a sweet aroma to God. When Noah exited the ark, and offered a sacrifice to God, it is written, "And the LORD smelled a sweet savor; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake . . . " (Gen 8:21). Under the law, sacrifices were also associated with a pleasing fragrance to God. As it is written, "And you shall offer up in smoke the whole ram on the altar; it is a burnt offering to the LORD: it is a soothing aroma, an offering by fire to the LORD" (Ex 29:18; also 29:25,41; Lev 1:9,13,17). Even meal offerings were said to emit a "sweet savor unto the Lord" (Lev 2:2,9). Second, the altar of incense, positioned immediately before the veil that separated the Most Holy Place, was a source of continual fragrance to the Lord. Every morning, when Aaron tended the golden lamp stand, he was burn fragrant incense before the Lord. Thus it is written, "And when Aaron trims the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense. There shall be perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations. You shall not offer any strange incense on this altar, or burnt offering or meal offering; and you shall not pour out a libation on it" (Ex 30:8-9, NASB). What may have emitted a pleasing odor to men, was not to be offered upon the altar of incense--no "strange incense." The good pleasure of the Lord God Almighty was absolutely preeminent. This is the background to Paul's reference in our text. The wisdom of men, for example, would be "strange incense," as it were, before the Lord. That is why Paul refused to "corrupt the Word of God" as "many" were doing (2 Cor 4:17). That would have equated with offering "strange incense" to the Lord. That is why he did not seek to please men in his preaching. He knew that at the point men were his dominant consideration, he would cease to be a servant of Christ--it would be "strange incense." As it is written, "For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ" (Gal 1:10, NASB). Pleasing the Lord is an absolute requisite to good preaching! If God does not honor it, it is bad in every sense of the word. The blessing of the Lord is to be zealously sought in preaching. Give your preaching to Him, as a sweet offering.
THE SAVOR OF HIS KNOWLEDGE
This is an arresting phrase: "the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him" (2 Cor 4:14, NASB). Like a bearer of sweet incense, the Apostle had shared the knowledge of God among men. In His preaching, He exposed the minds of men to God's purpose, His will, His Son, and His great salvation. He acquainted them with the God Who had been hidden by sin. Calloused hearts had lost a sense of God's greatness, and were insensitive to His grand objective in Christ Jesus. But Paul's preaching pulled back the veil of ignorance and exposed sensitive hearts to the love and grace of God. That was a "sweet aroma" to God. And why so? Because God wants to be known. He prefers "the knowledge of God" to "burnt offerings" (Hosea 6:6). Isaiah prophesied the redemptive work of Christ Jesus. Of particular relevance in this discussion if Isaiah's reference to the means through which He would justify the people. "by His knowledge shall my Righteous Servant justify many" (Isa 53:11). The phrase "His knowledge" means the knowledge the Savior, Jesus Christ, imparts. He does this as God's "Righteous Servant," appointed to bring men into acquaintance with their Creator and Savior. This is the process to which Jesus referred when He said, "At that time Jesus answered and said, "I praise Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou didst hide these things from the wise and intelligent and didst reveal them to babes. Yes, Father, for thus it was well-pleasing in Thy sight. All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son, except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light" (Matt 11:25-30, NASB). Here Jesus is making known the "savor of His knowledge," or the sweet fragrance of the Person and purpose of the Almighty. Notice, God uses this means to "reveal" ordained "things" to "babes," or those who depend upon Him. Because the message was pleasing to God, He worked with it, revealing Himself through the words of the Son. Such a procedure was "well-pleasing" in His sight! As men came to Christ, they found "rest"for their "souls" in His message--His exposure of the heart and mind of the Almighty. That "rest" is nothing less than justification before God, for "For we who have believed enter that rest" (Heb 4:3). Little wonder such "knowledge" is a "sweet fragrance" to God. It becomes the spiritual environment in which He works, the surrounding in which Divine influence is exerted. Here men are brought into justification, and experience Divine tutelage! But where preaching is not a pleasing fragrance to God, this does not happen. An environment of preaching that does not emit a pleasing fragrance to God is soil in which spiritual graces cannot grow. But it is not neutral! Preaching that is not pleasing to God competes with Him. It clouds His purpose and blinds men's minds. It is not non-productive, but counter-productive. If it is not a "sweet fragrance" to our God, it is an obnoxious one to Him. To Israel of old God warned, "And after all this, if you do not obey Me, but walk contrary to Me . . . I will not smell the fragrance of your sweet aromas" (Lev 25:27-31, NKJV). Without belaboring the point, make it your objective to please God in your preaching, whether anyone else likes it or not. You will find those that are reconciled to God will be greatly pleased and edified by your preaching when God is pleased with it. They will emit a pleasing fragrance to God when your preaching does also. Ask the Lord to give you grace to do this. Set your heart upon it. You will not be disappointed.
QUESTIONS
1 Does good preaching bring pleasure to God?
2 What does "a sweet savor to God" mean?
3 What is an example of "strange incense," or a kind of preaching that is offensive to God.
4 Does God want to be known by men?
5 What is "the savor of His knowledge?"
NEXT MONTH: HAVING YOUR OWN TREASURY
Jesus said, "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings forth out of his treasure things new and old" (Matt 13:52). I want to encourage you to have your own spiritual treasure--a rich resource of old and new insights. Draw upon the resources YOU have developed. Do not limit yourself to the observations of other individuals.
ASSIGNMENT
Select one of the texts below, and develop it for us. Remember the things we have learned thus far, developing your thoughts with them in mind. God has said something about preaching. Remember what He has said. Focus your preaching. Set an objective, and keep it in your mind. Declare what you can see, or understand. Do not stab in the dark in your preaching. Consider your audience in your proclamation. See then as Christ does, and edify them. Make your preaching relevant according to God's appraisal. If what you are saying important to Him? Avoid God's judgment when you preach. Remember, you will give an account for what you say. Preach so that will be a time of blessing for you. Strive for your preaching to be a pleasant aroma to God a source of blessing to Him. Draw from your personal experience and insights when you preach.
Romans 9:3-5 Romans 12:1-2 Romans 16:20 1 Corinthians 15:33 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
PREACHING
"For the message of the cross . . . is the power of God" (1 Cor 1:18)
Lesson Eight
HAVING YOUR OWN TREASURY
by Given O. Blakely
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down, and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. So it will be at the end of the age; the angels shall come forth, and take out the wicked from among the righteous, and will cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Have you understood all these things?" They said^ to Him, 'Yes.' And He said to them, "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings forth out of his treasure things new and old" (Matthew 13:47-52)
INTRODUCTION
The role of preaching is pivotal central, in the Kingdom of God. It is a sanctified activity, a holy work, and a blessed endeavor. If we enter into this work with our hearts and souls, our labors will be honored by God. But we must not play at this activity, attempt to use it as a means for personal gain, or corrupt it with the wisdom of this world. To do so is to incur divine judgment. It was this very perspective that was in the mind of the Spirit when He said, "According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each man be careful how he builds upon it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are" (1 Cor 3:10-17). God will overlook neither good nor bad preaching! This is so because preaching produces fruitage, either good or bad. All preaching must be compatible with the Foundation, which is Jesus Christ the Lord. It must also enable the hearer to knit with the Lord Jesus in order to "eternal salvation." If the preacher, by his preaching, makes this difficult to occur, he will be held in strict accountability--in fact, he will be destroyed. Preaching is that serious.
THE GLORY OF THIS TEXT
Scripture apprizes us that we will "reign with Christ" (2 Tim 2:12; Rev 5:10). While that reign will find its full realization in the "ages to come," it begins NOW, in our labors for the Lord. Paul spoke of receiving power to edify the body of Christ. "For this reason I am writing these things while absent . . . for building up and not for tearing down" (2 Cor 13:10). In effect, the various gifts and abilities that have been dispensed to the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:11), are a form of kingdom authority. They are an exhibition of Divine rule in the presence of the enemies of the soul. Regardless of Satan's aggression, and the blinding efforts of his hierarchy of power, the effectiveness of a minister of God to the people of God cannot be stopped. That is authority.
THE NET IS CAST
Jesus affirmed the Kingdom of God is like a great net cast into the mass of humanity. It garners people of all types, using them in the fulfillment of God's "eternal purpose." Not everyone that is caught in the net is good. There are some that will ultimately be removed, "severed from among the just," even though they spent much time with them. There are people like Judas, Demas, and others, who have played a role in the Lord's Kingdom, but it will not turn out for their ultimate good. Some vessels are used for dishonorable purposes (2 Tim 2:20-21), like Pharaoh, raised up by God to show as aspect of His working (Rom 9:17).
All of this has a great deal to do with preaching, or proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom. Upon asking His disciples if they comprehended what He was talking about, He referred to His disciples as "householders." They were, in a manner of speaking, in charge of the house. The word "householder"comes a word meaning "master of the house," "head of the family," or "in charge of God's family." it is a weighty consideration, indeed. Paul referred to this aspect of the Kingdom when bidding farewell to the elders of Ephesus. "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28). The role of the preacher of the Word is not to marshal the saints for institutional purposes, but to equip them to minister in this world, and reign with Jesus in the world to come (Eph 4:11-20). They are the ones that are casting the net and accumulating the "fish." The good preacher will be the occasion of the revelation of the natures of men. He will be "a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things" (2 Cor 2:15-16)? He is not an entertainer, but a revealer--both of God and men. He is not a slave of the institution, but a "householder" in the Kingdom of God. To be effective for God and lay up treasures for yourself in heave, you must ever keep these things before you. Do not listen to those who make a science of declaring the Gospel, and a career out of preaching. They do not represent the Head of the house in their corrupt approach to preaching.
THE PREACHER IS A SCRIBE!
It is most blessed to sit at the feet of Jesus! He does not speak as the speaks--as the opportunist or the institutional promoter. He refers to the "householder" as a "SCRIBE." "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven" (NKJV). The preacher is a purveyor, or supplier, of thoughts. He is acquainting listeners with the manner of the heavenly Kingdom, the purpose of God, and the great salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. This is his role in the Divine economy.
His first obligation is to himself learn the Kingdom's "manner." Of old, Samuel informed the people of "the manner of the kingdom," even writing it in a book and laying it up "before the Lord" (1 Sam 10:25). He knew the way royalty behaved (NKJV), and communicated the same to his hearers. He was a precursor of the Gospel preacher. This idea of a Kingdom laborer differs vastly from that of the contemporary preacher. In great numbers of congregations, the "preacher" is a waiter on tables--a sort of servant to placate the consciences of alienated people. The real preacher, however, is acquainted with the heavenly kingdom. He knows of the objectives and privileges of the people of God, and, laboring in the Word and doctrine, brings them into a fuller awareness of the richness of their salvation. He is a "scribe," acquainted with what the Lord has said. That is his first love, and his first obligation: "what saith the Lord?" When he navigates in the Scriptures, he is in familiar ground--his naive territory. That is where his expertise lies. Such is a "scribe, trained for the kingdom of heaven" (RSV) Candidly, you want that to be said of you.
He Brings Out of His Treasure
A personal spiritual treasure is developed by the preacher. It consists of gems and spiritual coins that can be dispensed to others, and are of great value. It is HIS treasure. He has not purchased it from another, nor stolen it. It has been garnered by himself as he plowed in the field of God's Word. The treasure consists of insights and understanding he has received. His expertise is not in probing the treasury of others, but in the treasure he himself has attained. When Jesus warned His disciples not to cast pearls before swine, He referred to the items of value as "YOUR pearls" (Matt 7:6).
This treasure is not limited to mere novelties. Nor, indeed, is it a place for antiques alone. There are also new things in the treasury--not new words, but new insights into old words. As the truth is understood, the instructed "scribe" is able to bring it to bear upon the issues of life. He can apply it like medicine to the sick, and provide it as food to the hungry. With kingdom expertise such a scribe can nourish up the people of God with the Word of God. If they are weak, he can bring strength to them. If they are discouraged, he can bring encouragement. If they are ignorant, he brings illumination.
How many people give heed to the words of the kingdom "scribe" is not the point. The point is that he "brings out of his treasure" spiritual freshness--"things new and old." The Lord will use the words of the "instructed" scribe to accomplish His purpose. The preacher shares his own insights and perceptions – what he has seen and heard. The new is built upon the old. These are insights and applications of the truth that are fresh and invigorating. A living and vital connection is made between the truth of God and human circumstance And need. Seek to be so familiar with the Word of God that the Lord can give you understanding in all things. Refuse to be distracted by lesser things.
QUESTIONS
1 What is the preacher's "treasury?"
2 Jesus said a good preacher is like a "scribe." What did He mean?
3 What are things "old and new?"
4 Are there things in God's Word that are especially precious to you? Name one of them.
5 DO you think it taskes wisdom to be able to speak about new and old things? Will you ask God to help you do this?
NEXT LESSON
REFRESHMENT THROUGH SPEAKING
"Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles. I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer" -- Job 32:19-20.
Texts from which to choose your presentation Romans 6:19; Romans 8:34; Romans 16:20
PREACHING
"For the message of the cross . . . is the power of God" (1 Cor 1:18
Lesson Nine
REFRESHMENT THROUGH SPEAKING
by Given O. Blakely
"Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles. I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer" (Job 32:19-20).
INTRODUCTION
The Word of God is living and powerful (Heb 4:12). When it is taken into the heart, it effects the whole man. Not only is the intellect enriched and expanded, the emotion is heightened and the will stimulated. While these effects can be accomplished through the works of men, they are brought to their highest and most productive capacity by God's Word.
Our text provides an example of this truth. The setting is Job's confrontation with his three "friends." They are diagnosing his calamities, as friends are often wont to do. Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite have spoken to Job, each one of them concluding that Job's sufferings have been brought on because of some secret transgression. Their assumptions provoke a fiery response by Job, who maintains his innocence before them all. "Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my mark. Oh, that the Almighty would answer me, That my Prosecutor had written a book! Surely I would carry it on my shoulder, And bind it on me like a crown; I would declare to Him the number of my steps; Like a prince I would approach Him" (Job 31:35-37, NKJV).
Now, for the first time in this book, a young man named Elihu is mentioned. He has been listening to the presentation of Job's three friends, and to the defense of Job. The effect of it all upon him is vividly described. "Then the wrath of Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was aroused against Job; his wrath was aroused because he justified himself rather than God. Also against his three friends his wrath was aroused, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job" (Job 32:2-3). Elihu had waited to speak out of respect for the age of the others, he being a younger man. "Now because they were years older than he, Elihu had waited to speak to Job" (32:4). Carefully, he had weighed the words of the older men, and found them to be inadequate. "When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was aroused" (verse 5). Now, however, he can no longer forbear. He must speak, and speak he does. "I am young in years, and you are very old; Therefore I was afraid, And dared not declare my opinion to you. I said, 'Age should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.' But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding. Great men are not always wise, Nor do the aged always understand justice. Therefore I say, 'Listen to me, I also will declare my opinion" (vs 6-10). He is speaking from a considerate viewpoint, having carefully weighed all that was said before (v 11). He perceives that none of the "friends" have convinced Job, their arguments not being weighty (v 12). He also observes that Job has not addressed him personally, so he will not use previously presented arguments (v. 14). He also sees the three friends have simply run out of words, having no more to say (vs 15-16). Now Elihu begins his speech. He acknowledges he has found it difficulty to keep from speaking prior to this. "For I am full of words; The spirit within me compels me. Indeed my belly is like wine that has no vent; It is ready to burst like new wineskins. I will speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer" (vs 18-20). With a great disparity between their ages, and contrary to the customs of the East, the younger begins to instruct the older. The Kingdom is driven by insight. There is no age limit placed on such insight. This should be a great encouragement to every proclaimer of the Gospel. Without probing this incident more, let us view this expression.
OUT OF THE ABUNDANCE OF THE HEART THE MOUTH SPEAKS
The phrases "the spirit within me compels me," "my belly is like wine that has no vent," and "It is ready to burst" vividly describe inward constraint. Elihu is not motivated by what he has heard, but by what he has within. In his judgment, what he has heard has contradicted what was contained in his heart. The words to which he was subjected became a catalyst that accentuated what was within his him. Like the Psalmist, Elihu, though much younger, knew more than the three counselors who had sought to explain Job's experience. As it is written, "I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation" (Psa 119:99). Unlike the Psalmist, however, Elihu did not have the advantage of the written Word of God. Scholars place the events of Job around 1950 BC, a few years after Abraham's birth. Notwithstanding these primitive times, Elihu had saturated his mind with thoughts of the Almighty--while a young man. He stands as a notable example for us all. His four speeches, recorded in Job 32-37, are worthy of your analysis.
With nature and the passing along of the very few dealings of God with humanity, Elihu had formed some concrete views of God. These views had affected the way he heard. They were like foundations or principles with which everything he heard was compared. He is not going to speak from a mere emotional point of view, shouting as it were, in protest of those before him. He is going to speak from his inmost person--from his heart. He was constrained from within--from his manner of thought. Jesus spoke of this principle, using it to explain the eruptions of unacceptable speech. "Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." However, such speaking is not confined to vileness and corruption. Jesus continued, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things" (Matt 12:34-35). Luke says it this way, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45). Actually, this is the case with all speakers. What saturates the heart will also saturate the speech. What dominates a person's thoughts will also dominate his speaking. At once, we see the manner of thinking that dominated Job's three friends. They had not viewed the evidence provided to them with a proper frame of reference. The goodness and righteousness of God were not their primary frames of reference. Rather, they sought to interpret the experience of man. This view actually corrupted their hearts, thus provoking them to speak unadvisedly with their mouth.
I cannot emphasis this too much. As a preacher or teacher, you are a custodian of your heart. It is your business to place the proper things into it, and then to give preeminence to the Word of the Lord. No person will ever be able to preach acceptably that has a worldly mind-set. However disciplined and analytical in thought, if the proper constraint is not present, an improper conclusion will be declared. This accounts for the remarkable amount of rubbish that is served up to the people of God. Men are speaking from a corrupted heart, not an enlightened one. Their thoughts are ruled by the conclusions of men rather than the affirmations of God. We do not need to condemn people--that is not our work. But unacceptable proclamations and conclusions proceed from unacceptable hearts. It is, after all, "out of the abundance of the heart" that the mouth speaks. What is "the abundance of the heart?" The NIV says "the overflow of his heart." The NASB says, "that which fills his heart." The Basic Bible English version reads, "the full store of the heart," while Young's Literal Translation says, "out of the abounding of the heart." As the heart is filled, it overflows through our mouth. God has made us in this way. It is an advantage for the person whose mind is filled with the things of God. It is a decided disadvantage, and ultimate cause for condemnation, for those whose heart is filled with the things of this world. Fill your heart with the Word of God. Saturate your thoughts with Scripture and the observations of insightful men. It will have a direct bearing on the content and manner of your speaking!
THE INABILITY TO CONTAIN
Alas, for many people, it is too easy for them to contain themselves. For some, this is a matter of self control, but for others it is evidence of a flawed heart and a meager supply in their treasury. Take the example of Paul in Athens. While waiting for Silas and Timothy, "his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols" (Acts 17:16). His knowledge of, and preference for, the Living God could not abide the overriding presence of idols. There was no satisfactory explanation for them--not in view of God and Christ. Paul's heart was so dominated by the "great salvation" that is in Christ Jesus, that what he saw in Athens provoked him. Immediately, he began to speak, being unable to contain. It is written, "Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there" (Acts 17:17). He had confronted matters that conflicted with the abundance, or dominating considerations, of his heart. He had to speak. He not only spoke in the synagogues, but in the marketplace as well. He went where there was religious traffic, and where there was commerce, and spoke out of the abundance of his heart. His speaking drew the attention of certain "Epicurean and Stoic philosophers" who "encountered him" (Acts 17:18). They had not heard such speaking as this! The richness of Paul's heart yielded unconventional speaking in a philosophical empire. The outcome of the whole affair was an opportunity to speak "the Areopagus," or "Mars Hill" (17:22, KJV). 500 years earlier, Socrates was brought to this very place to face his accusers and be condemned to death. It was not only a place to hear new things, but a place of trial and testing--of intense examination. The Stoics and Epicureans taught religion and philosophy as a system, knowing nothing of faith. There is some question among purported scholars as to whether or not Paul was "forcibly apprehended and formally tried." If you wish to pursue this, see Conybeare and Howson, The Life and Epistles of St. Paul, chapter x, and The Expositor, 5th series, II, 209 f, 261 f (Ramsay). What is to be seen here is the powerful constraining influence of a heart filled with the truth of God. Would Paul's valor fail him in this intimidating environment? Indeed not, he delivered one of the most concise and insightful speeches in history during this occasion (Acts 17:21-31). He spoke out of the abundance of his heart, and was not able to contain. Such action is not achieved by human discipline and intelligence alone. God works in a person whose heart is filled with His truth! In such a person, these words will be fulfilled, "But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit" (Mark 13:11). It is the Holy Spirit that enables us to recall and correlate Divine expressions, or statements of Scripture. "But the Helper [Comforter, KJV], the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you" (John 14:26). John also elucidates on this subject, associating it with all who are in Christ Jesus. "But you have an anointing [unction, KJV] from the Holy One, and you know all things . . . But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him" (1 John 2:20,27).
Suffice it to say, when you fill your heart and mind with the Word of God, you have provided material for the Holy Spirit to use. Within your heart, anointed, as it were, by the Holy Spirit, that Word ferments, making it impossible to refrain from speaking. If you do not quench the Spirit, it will eventually dominate your speech. You will experience in your measure what Peter and John expressed. "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20).
REFRESHMENT
Elihu spoke for relief. His observations could not be contained. This was infinitely more than simply getting something off his chest, so to speak. Refreshment was more related to contemplation than to emotion. Here was the situation. The truth of God had, so to speak, seized upon him. To a much lesser degree, yet in an effectual one, he had been "apprehended," or taken hold of, like the Apostle Paul. As it is written, "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me" (Phil 3:12). If there is one thing that has impressed me in recent years, it is the near-total absence of this spiritual phenomenon in the professed church. The hearts and perceptions of teachers and preachers are often too shallow to be a constraining factor in their presentations. In this "day of salvation," this is simply not acceptable!
One has well said, "every Heaven-born word, to whomsoever it is communicated, strives after . . . utterance. For a season, the living thought may be kept in abeyance, carefully secluded from the world at large, but ultimately there comes a moment when it asserts its Heaven-granted supremacy over the mind of the man that has received it, and, refusing to be longer concealed, eventually drives that mind to speak forth the God-imparted message" When this expression takes place, a certain refreshment is ministered to the soul. It is not a carnal, or fleshly, refreshment, but one which, like "godly sorrow," is "not to be repented of" (2 Cor 7:10). This refreshment is a form of heavenly wages, given to the soul willing to house within his heart and mind the good things of God. It is like the eruption of a geyser, which brings to the surface water found deep within. This is nothing less than the overflow of the "living water" given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ. That water, in the words of Jesus, becomes "in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:14). It not only brings the truth of God to those who hear it from the speaker, but it brings rich satisfaction and penetrating joy to the one who speaks it. This is another way of saying strength is ministered to the speaker--strength to further speak, repulsing the temptation of the wicked one to silence the Gospel proclaimer. When the Apostles were told NOT to speak, they "filled Jerusalem" with their teaching, refusing to be suppressed (Acts 5:28). Their refusal to put a cap on the overflowing well became the occasion for the dispensing of more speaking-strength from above. If you want to receive power to speak, faithfully declare what you have already been given to see! It also increases the speaker's grasp of the truth. Thereby is the saying fulfilled, "There is one who scatters, yet increases more; . . . The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself" (Prov 11:24-25). Like a mighty tide rushing inward, the more you give expression to the overflow of your heart, the more truth will rush into it! That is the nature of the Kingdom. Like the widow's bottle of oil, the more you pour out what you have, the more you will receive (2 Kings 4:1-6). What a blessed provision! In the very communication of the truth of God, refreshment comes!
CONCLUSION
As a communicator of the truth of God, spend much time thinking upon what the Lord has said. Your mediation will be a catalyst--a way through which spiritual fermentation will take place in your heart. This takes place because God's Word if living and life-giving. It will not only revolutionize the way you think, but the way you speak. Think upon these things, and see if this does not come to pass within you. "My heart was hot within me; While I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue" (Psa 39:3). Thus will you will receive a blessing.
QUESTIONS
1 What was the name of the young man who told Job he had been waiting for a long time to speak?
2 What does "refreshed" mean?"
3 Jesus said the mouth speaks out of the abundance of something. What was he referring to?
4 Can the Word of God be so strrong in you that you cannot keep silence about it? Has this happened to you?
5 When you speak the Word of God from your heart, does it make you better?
NEXT MONTH'S ASSIGNMENT
The Spirit of Faith Next month we will meet one week earlier than originally scheduled OCTOBER 20th, 1997. Please note that on your calendar. Our subject will be, "The Spirit of Faith." Although similar to this month's theme, it will go further into the power of faith, the true impetus for declaring the Word of the Lord. The lesson is based on the following text. "And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, 'I believed and therefore I spoke,' we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you" (2 Corinthians 4:13-14). Prepare your presentation from one of the following texts 1 Corinthians 2:4, 1 Corinthians 2:12-13, 1 Corinthians 10:16, 1 Corinthians 15:1-2, 1 Corinthians 15:54
Remember the things we have learned thus far God has spoken about preaching. Preaching is to be FOCUSED CONSIDER Your Audience Make Preaching RELEVANT Avoid Divine JUDGMENT Make Your Preaching a PLEASING FRAGRANCE to God Speak Out of Your Own TREASURY.
PREACHING
"For the message of the cross . . . is the power of God" (1 Cor 1:18)
Lesson Ten
THE SPIRIT OF FAITH
by Given O. Blakely
INTRODUCTION
"We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak." - 2 Corinthians 4:13
BACKGROUND
The Spirit has been declaring the virtues and superiority of the Gospel, particularly in comparison to the Law. The Gospel exceeds the Law in glory; i.e., it reveals and produces more. More of God is seen in the Gospel; more of His heart, and more of His purpose. But that is not all. The Gospel produces effects that intensify and grow, compared to the Law, which left effects that diminished. The people who heard the Law soon forgot it, returning to their lustful ways. The face of Moses upon the holy mount epitomized the nature of Law. At first it glowed with such intensity Moses had to cover his face with a veil, else it blind the people. Thus is it written, "And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished" (2 Cor. 3:13). The Gospel is more in keeping with the nature of God. It strikes more to the heart of His purpose, and produces effects in harmony with His nature. It is the "ministration of righteousness" (2 Cor. 4:9): the appointed means of men gaining Divine approval. That is why it is "exceeds in glory," and possesses "glory that excelleth" (v. 9-10). The marvels of the Gospel are not commonly perceived in our time. Too many are intrigued by the supposed methods and techniques of sociological and academic experts. Programs are instituted that simulate life, giving the impression of spiritual progress, when there has actually been none. Paul knew the inestimable power of the Gospel. Therefore, he spoke without shame or guile. In his own words, "Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: and not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished" (2 Cor. 3:12-13). The thrust of Paul's efforts was to forthrightly declare the Gospel, and to do so with boldness (translated "plainness of speech" in the KJV).
THE SURROUNDINGS OF UNBELIEF
While the Gospel is "glorious," it is proclaimed in a defiled and degenerating environment. The world, from one perspective is under the dominion of the wicked one. He is its "prince" and "god," dominating ruthlessly wherever men are powerless against him (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 2 Cor. 4:4). The devil's primary objective is not to make men immoral, although he surely promotes such declines with diabolical fervor. His aim is not merely to produce political confusion or domestic unrest, although he maintains constant influence in those areas. His predominant efforts, however, have to do with blinding the minds of men to the nature and power of the Gospel. As it is written, "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 Cor. 4:4). Wherever men are not motivated by faith, these conditions bring debilitating discouragement. Legion is the name of ministers and teachers that have ceased to proclaim the Word of God because of the overwhelming rejection, and often aggressive opposition, they received. But such things ought not to be!
PAUL RESPONDS TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES
He did not faint, or succumb to the pressures of unbelief and rejection. "Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not" (2 Cor 4:1). He renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, refusing to mitigate the message. "But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God" (2 Cor 4:2). He did not preach himself, drawing attention to a private agenda, and engaging in fleshly competition with false teachers. "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake" (2 Cor 4:5). He knew what he had, not being intimidated by his surroundings. "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us" (2 Cor 4:7). He weathered the storm, refusing to be subdued! "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed" (2 Cor. 4:8-9). Faith had produced a dichotomy of experience! He continued to die to this world and self, rejecting the temptation to conform to religious corruption. "Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body" (2 Cor 4:10). He saw the reasons that produced the often frustrating experiences endured. "For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you" (2 Cor. 4:11-12).
Faith will enable you to respond to your environment in a manner that will glorify God, profit your listeners, and bring personal satisfaction and joy. Above all else, BELIEVE GOD!
PROPER MOTIVATION
What constrained the Apostle to speak under these conditions? They certainly were not "favorable" or "pleasant," as men reckon things. His testimony, in this regards, would not attract ordinary men into the labors of the Gospel. Dying to self is not attractive to the flesh. What about being "troubled on every side"? or being "perplexed," "persecuted," or "cast down"? How does a person become superior to such handicaps? Our country, and perhaps the world, is filled with ministers and teachers that have toned their message down because they know it will incur opposition. Too often I have heard men admit that they know what the people need, but withhold it in preference of a salary, financial stability, or provisions for their family. Such men should leave the ministry, for they are defiling it, handicapping people, and giving the advantage to the devil. Absolutely no tolerance is to be given to such individuals. They deserve no sympathy or understanding, and should receive none. The reason for this is obvious; they are not motivated by faith, and "without faith, it is impossible to please God" (Heb. 11:6). Men of God are motivated by faith. As it is written, "We having the same spirit of faith . . . also believe, and therefore speak." What is "the spirit of faith"? Here, Paul alludes to the 116th Psalm. The Psalmist cries out to God out of great duress. He is compassed about with "the sorrows of death" (v. 3), and has been "brought low" (v. 6). His soul had been jeopardized by "death." His eyes have been filled with "tears." His feet were nigh unto "falling"(v. 8). Yet, as difficult as those circumstances were, the Psalmist did not despair. His faith was greater than his surroundings. The divine resources were larger than his handicaps. The future was bright with promise, even though the present was grievous. Because the Psalmist believed, his tongue was loosened. His faith motivated him to cry out in distress, even though it looked hopeless. "I will walk in the land of the living. I believed, therefore have I spoken . . . " It is true that he was "greatly afflicted." His circumstance was so grievous that he said in his haste, "All men are liars" (v. 11). No one could be trusted. No one came to his aid, or offered comfort to his weary soul. Yet, in the midst of all of this, the man of God did not think of temporary well being. His faith pushed his eyes upward to loftier considerations and more noble aspirations. "What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?" (Psa. 116:12). His faith draws the right answer from his soul. "I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people" (Psa. 116:13-14). His difficulty became an occasion for taking the "cup of salvation." He saw that God wanted to deliver, and here was an occasion that qualified him for the blessing. He spoke in this transcendent manner because he "believed." Paul declares he also had the "spirit of faith;" i.e., he also spoke because he believed. His spiritual insight prompted his expressions. He declared what he had seen. He too was required to speak while in great difficulty. He too was in jeopardy of death. There is nothing pleasant about being "hard pressed," "perplexed," "abandoned," and "thrown down" (NIV). Such experiences have driven many a weak man from the ministry of the Word. It is often fashionable for such individuals to point the finger of blame to weak churches and carnal elders. But that is not where the finger of blame must be pointed. It must rather be pointed at the unbelief of the quitter. Do not think this is a heartless saying. If the person serving the Lord does not confront and overcome his unbelief, it will not go well with him. And, if his circumstances have caused unbelief and the spirit of fear to surface, it must be struck down by taking the cup of salvation and calling upon the name of the Lord! Candidly, I am concerned about what motivates preachers. Too often, it is not "the spirit of faith." Everything from the "love of money," to the desire to be approved of men are found among those professing to be preachers. Such men do not relate preaching to the Gospel. They do not see themselves as "stewards of mysteries of God" (1 Cor. 4:1), or "stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Pet. 4:10). Yet, that is precisely what they are, and they will give an account of their stewardship.
THE SPIRIT OF FAITH
Faith is the breath of the soul. It is what validates our actions, and particularly our speech. Speaking that is not motivated by faith--a real conviction of unseen realities--obtains no kingdom benefit. Academic brilliance, historical knowledge, and etymological expertise do not qualify an individual to speak for God. None of these things are evil of themselves; but neither are they good of themselves. Like every other human endeavor, they are sanctified by faith, not effort or study disciplines. "The spirit of faith" is another way of saying spiritual insight. The individual possessing it has been joyfully persuaded of the truth of God. Beyond that, his persuasion has been developed in the crucible of conflict. His confidence in God provokes insightful expressions when circumstance seems to forbid it. This is the result of the opening of the eyes of the understanding (Eph. 1:18ff). For those possessing it, the "spirit of faith" causes heaven to eclipse the earth. It makes the promises of God loom larger than the rejection of men.
The compelling nature of faith seen in Jeremiah
The experience of Jeremiah was similar to that of Paul. While living in a time of less spiritual advantage, his faith constrained him to speak the words of God, knowing it would incur the indignation of his peers. "Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay" (Jer. 20:9). Admittedly, Jeremiah was not as advanced in his spiritual experience or expression as Paul. This was not, however, owing to personal deficiency. He was not made perfect "without us" (Heb. 11:40). An inferior covenant handicapped Jeremiah; yet his faith propelled him beyond the confines of a law that was "weak through the flesh" (Rom. 8:30. HIS FAITH WOULD NOT LET HIM BE QUIET! Keeping silence wore him out, and finally he could keep silence no longer.
The expression of Elihu
Although the youngest of those who visited Job, Elihu appeared to be the wisest. His expression, whatever the motivation, places into words the effects of the "spirit of faith." "And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not show you mine opinion . . . For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me . . . Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles . . . I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer" (Job 32:6,18,20). He was constrained from within, and that during a time when Scripture was not yet given! The "spirit of faith" makes you "full of matter," constraining you to speak when it may not be fashionable to speak--when it is "out of season." The "spirit of faith" must vent through the mouth! There is no other way to be refreshed! Even when the word is not received, the speaker finds refreshment in declaring it. This condition exists because he is declaring what he sees and loves. He wants the people to receive it, but if they do not, he finds great delight in it himself.
Positive preaching
An unspiritual society--particularly a degenerate one--will provoke the speaker to major on the negatives, or threats, of God's Word. To be sure, these expressions must not be neglected. The warnings and the curses have been spoken by God, and therefore cannot be ignored. They must be declared! But they are not the heart of His message. God sent Jesus to "bless," not to curse (Acts 3:26). Jesus did "not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them" (Lk. 9:56). He did not come to "condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved" (John 3:17). That is the heart of God, and it is the heart of the Gospel. The "spirit of faith" has more to do with the Gospel than with condemnation for rejecting the Gospel. Like Paul, we are to "warn every man" (Col. 1:28), never backing away from rebuking or correction where it is required. The fundamental message we proclaim, however, is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The "spirit of faith" constrains us to cry out "BE YE RECONCILED TO GOD" (2 Cor 5:20). We will "warn them that are unruly" (1 Thess 5:14). We will "reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" (2 Tim 4:2). But when men are brought again within the circumference of hearing, the "spirit of faith" will sound our the Gospel of Christ. It will affirm the "exceeding great and precious promises of God." That is the appointed means of participating in the Divine nature "We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak" (2 Cor 4:13).
QUESTIONS
1 When we have strong faith, will it cause us to speak for the Lord?
2 What is "the spirit of faith?"
3 What did Jeremiah mean when he said the Word of God was like a fire in his bones?
4 In the good sense of the word, what is "positive preaching?"
5 Explain why it is important to you to be able to say you have believed, and that is why you have spoken.
NEXT MONTH
Our next meeting will be held on Monday, November 24th, 1996. The theme will be "BUILDING ON THE FOUNDATION." With great solemnity, we are told of the importance of building on the foundation provided for our faith. Preaching plays a key, if not the preeminent, role in building upon that foundation. Prepare a message from one of the following texts.
Remember the suggestions that have discussed thus far, and integrate them into your preparations according to your perception of them. God has said much about preaching. Recall and believe what He has declared. Focus your preaching--set your mind and purpose to unveil something particular. Avoid speaking in broad generalities. Do not allow your introductions of conclusions to hide your point. Declare what you have seen. Do not attempt to preach what you do not understand. Consider your audience, and do it from God's perspective. Consider their edification and preparation for eternity. That is something you have in common with them. Make you preaching relevant by joining with the Lord in His revealed objectives. Remember, any preaching that does not assist in bringing men into harmony with the Lord is really not relevant, even though it may deal with, what men conceive to be, contemporary issues. Avoid the judgment of God in your preaching. Declare His mind and purpose, and zealously avoid saying things that either contradict or obscure what He has revealed. Let your preaching be satisfying to God--a sweet smelling fragrance to Him. If He is well pleased with what you say, He will undergird and support it with His Divine power. Speak from your own perception. Take jewels old and new from your own treasury--what you have seen and heard. In your studies, target developing a divers and large treasury of understanding, from which you may freely speak. Experience personal refreshment in your preaching. Preach what is burning in your soul--what you have perceived by faith. As what is in your heart is energized by the Spirit, and spoken from your mouth, you yourself will be refreshed, encouraged, and made stronger.
Lesson Eleven
BUILDING ON THE FOUNDATION
by Given O. Blakely
"According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are."
1 Corinthians 3:10-17, NKJV
INTRODUCTION
Preaching, as used in Scripture, is entering the work of the Lord. We thereby become part of a great and eternal enterprise. There is no more lofty activity, nor one of such seriousness and sobriety. The preacher is not an entertainer, humorist, or mere orator. He is engaged in something with eternal consequences. Through the preacher, heavenly influences are brought to bear upon the hearts of humanity. The Holy Spirit of God is called into activity by the word of God, the substance of the preacher's message. The attention of angelic powers is also drawn to the preacher. He is, if true, declaring a Gospel into which they desire to look (1 Pet 1:12). The Father Himself, with the Lord Jesus Christ, stands poised to grant "grace and peace" to those giving heed to the message (Gal 1:3). Jesus, in the capacity of the exalted King, is ready to "give repentance and the remission of sins" to those believing the message (Acts 5:31). To me, conceiving of a more significant work is not possible!
All true preaching is an extension of a work already begun. Preaching that ignores that established work is really not recognized by God, and will not be honored by Divine power. The work of which I speak is the establishment of a foundation. The prophetic Word declares, "Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily" (Isa 28:16). That foundation was the Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the world. He is the "Stone" of prophetic reference. Peter declared, "This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:11-12). Paul declared the essentiality of this foundation, affirming Jesus was a stumbling stone to all who did not receive Him (Rom 9:33). By this, he meant Christ Jesus is the ONLY foundation. There is no valid spiritual construction that is not built upon Him--depending and relying upon Him. Peter declares the same perspective in 1 Peter 2:6-8.
This foundation was set in place by the Apostles and prophets, as declared in Ephesians 2:20. "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone." The "Apostles and prophets" laid the foundation by declaring the Person and accomplishments of the Lord Jesus Christ. They related these to the purpose of God and the need of humanity.
The "prophets" of reference here are not the holy prophets before Christ. They did not "lay the foundation," but announced that it would be put in place (Eph 1:21; 1 Pet 1:10). These are the prophets placed in the church by God Himself (1 Cor 12:28; Eph 3:5; 4:11). These are men inspired to delineate Christ to the hearts of men, opening up His Person and purpose, thereby speaking "edification and exhortation and comfort to men" (1 Cor 14:3).
The foundation has already been put into place. However, because it has been obscured by the traditions of men, throughout history, it has been rediscovered, so to speak, by those with spiritual insight. They did not lay the Foundation again, but, through preaching, drew the attention of men to it. Thus, the construction of the building again became a prominent activity.
There have been periods in history when the Foundation was scarcely visible to the sons of men. Millions of believers have but a sparse amount of understanding concerning Jesus Christ. My prayer is that our day will not be so characterized, but will be one of spiritual clarity.
May the Lord raise up insightful men who can show men the Foundation, then stabilize them upon it. How sorely this is needed, and YOU can be used of God to do it!
WHAT IS BUILDING UPON THE FOUNDATION?
Building upon the foundation is providing for the integration of people with the "eternal purpose" of God. It is bringing people into living association with the Lord Jesus Christ. True preaching provides for the amalgamation of individuals with the Lord Jesus Christ, so that they become "one" with Him. The building and the foundation, in this case, are not two separate entities, but one. They are fitted together, and cannot be separated without destroying the functionality of the building. If you move the building off the foundation, it loses stability, and will soon fall apart. If you move the foundation from the building, it no longer fulfills its purpose, for it is not intended to be alone.
A Savior without the saved, brings no glory to the Lord. To have the saved without a Savior is not possible. Building on the foundation is bringing the saved and the Savior together. It is solidifying the relationship between the individual and the Lord of glory.
Building on the foundation is bringing the support of the foundation to those who require it. The strength, power, and glory of the Lord Jesus thus become accessible to those built upon Him. His grace is thus made accessible to them. His power begins to work in them. They become a vessel in His hands, and a place of residence for His Person. His intercession becomes relevant to them. His purpose becomes their purpose.
Scripture apprizes us, "But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him" (1 Cor 6:17). That is being truly built upon the foundation! In this case, the vicarious atonement of Christ becomes effectual for the individual. The current intercessory ministry of the Lord supports and upholds the one joined to Him. The objective of Christ becomes the purpose for living, and the single aim of life is to "know Christ," and dwell with Him forever. The person on the Foundation enjoys fellowship with Christ (1 Cor 1:9), the "communion of the Holy Spirit" (2 Cor 13:14). Their hearts cry out "Abba Father" to God (Gal 4:6), their names are "written in heaven" (Luke 10:20), and they are being "conformed to the image" of God's Son (Rom 8:29-30).
To be on the Foundation is to have "access" to the Father (Eph 2:18) and His "grace" (Rom 5:2) "with confidence" (Eph 3:12). It is to be in a situation where God Himself is working all things together for the good of the person (Rom 8:28). Everything required for "life and godliness" is available to the one on the foundation (2 Pet 1:3). Those on the foundation will stand when the "world passes away," because they are on an eternal Foundation (1 John 2:17). It is the only place of safety, the only place of permanence, and the only place of blessing. To be on the Foundation is to be separate from the world and united with heaven. It is to be reconciled to God, receiving from Christ, and involved in His work.
THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION
Our text has a covering of sobriety that should arrest our attention. "But let each one take heed how he builds on it . . . each one's work will become clear . . . the fire will test each one's work . . . If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire . . . If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him." Conceiving of anything more serious is difficult, if not impossible. It is my persuasion that a great deal of preaching is done without the smallest awareness of these things.
Take heed how you build
The building materials are not brought to our attention. HOW we build does not refer to methodology, but to the type of materials we are attempting to place on this foundation. The Spirit says, "Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw . . . " The reference is to people--to those addressed by our preaching. "Gold, silver, and precious stones" are not only valuable, they are not combustible. They can stand the test of fire. "Wood, hay, and straw" (stubble) are all inferior, and cannot stand the test of fire.
Anyone familiar with contemporary Christianity knows there are an extraordinary number of uncommitted, weak, and vulnerable church members. Vast numbers are Scripturally illiterate, morally weak, and tragically uncommitted. They have difficulty standing in the normalities of life, to say nothing of standing the judgment of Almighty God. They are "wood, hay, and stubble," yet are recognized as being "on the foundation."
Why is this the case? Men have not taken heed "how" they built on the foundation. Unless they are rebellious and unbelieving, weak Christians are the result of weak preaching. If preaching has no spiritual substance, those embracing it will not be strong. They have dared to place "wood, hay, and stubble" upon the "precious" Foundation and Cornerstone--materials that cannot possibly mesh with the Foundation. Their preaching is what put the inferior materials there!
On the other hand, when men take their preaching seriously, taking heed how they build on the foundation, the pureness of their message will produce spiritual solidity in those embracing it. Such converts will be "gold, silver, and precious stones" that are harmonious with the Foundation, and will pass the judgment of God.
It is our business to think about what our preaching will produce. If people take what we declare, and ingest it into their souls, what will it produce? What will be the outcome? Have we brought them into union with Christ? Will they be in a position to be conformed to His image? Will they have access to God, His grace, His power, and His truth? God will undergird those who enter into this work heartily and in a conscious effort to make men suitable for Divine habitation!
If my objective, for instance, is to produce good families, a large assembly, or an impressive congregation, I am in the area of "wood, hay, and stubble." All these are possible, from a human point of view, without any connection with the Foundation. If my purpose is to get the young people off the street, or provide a place where they can get together, I am again in the area of "wood, hay, and stubble." Mind you, it is not that these are sinful objectives. However, they are not PRIMARY objectives--and preaching deals with PRIMARY things.
There is room for a wide variety of ministries in the body of Christ. If, however, these become our focus, thereby clouding the reason Jesus died, rose again, and presently is reigning, they will be the occasion for "wood, hay, and stubble." If what we emphasis does not require a vicarious atonement, the power of the resurrection, and an interceding Savior, it cannot integrate with the Foundation!
The death of Christ has no efficacy where it is not required! The resurrection of Christ has no power where there is no need for it. The intercession of Christ is not effectual where there is no dependency upon it. This cannot be overemphasized! Much modern preaching does not require a propitiation, Divine enablement, or a Mediating Savior.
Building "gold, silver, and precious stones" upon the Foundation is bringing people to a point where they rejoice in and rely upon the atonement. It is arousing people to believe and joyfully embrace the "power of His resurrection." When men avail themselves of the intercession of Christ, keeping themselves in the love of God, and experiencing cleansing from all unrighteousness, they have joined to the Foundation!
Materials will be evaluated
Those who have responded to our message will be evaluated. As it is written, "Every man's work shall be made manifest" (Verse 13, KJV). Keeping this fact in mind will have a significant impact on what and how you preach!
The evaluation will not be in this world, nor will it be by your peers. "The Day will declare it," we are told. This is the "Day of the Lord," "that Day," "the Day of the Lord Jesus," or "the Day of God" (Acts 2:20; Luke 10:12; 1 Cor 5:5; 1 Thess 5:2; 2 Pet 3:12). This is the Day when God will make known the "counsels of the hearts" (1 Cor 4:5). At this time, all things will be made known as they really are. No masks will be upon the people, and nothing will be hidden in any sense.
Made known by fire
Every person will confront the Living God, Who is "a consuming Fire" (Deut 4:24; Heb 12:29). Nothing unlike Himself will survive the confrontation. As it is written, "A fire goes before Him, And burns up His enemies round about" (Psa 97:3). Every person professing Christ will be subjected to Divine scrutiny. If Divine qualities are found in them, they will joyfully survive. If their connection with Christ is real, they will pass the test. The confrontation is inevitable! "It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Heb 9:27). Everyone must live with a lively awareness of this coming day--but especially the preacher.
The objective of our text, however, is not to affirm the judgment of all men. Rather, it is to affirm the evaluation of the laborer's work--the people he sought to place on the foundation. In this world, great honor is ascribed to selective preachers. It is not unusual to find men fervently seeking this honor--structuring a religious career for human recognition. Such easily forget this world and time are too early for final evaluation. That will be accomplished at the judgment seat of Christ.
Enduring work
"If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward" (Verse 11). In our parlance, if the people who have embraced what we preached past the test of confronting God, we will receive a reward from God. The compliment of the preacher is found in those who embraced what he proclaimed. This is what Paul meant when he wrote to the Thessalonians, "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy" (1 Thess 2:19-20).
Think of the reward of Paul! Consider how meticulously he built upon the Foundation. He declared "the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27), "teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus" (Col 1:28). He took heed how he built upon the Foundation. He considered the Day when his work would be tested by Almighty God, and labored for the work to stand the test. He will receive an abundant reward.
You will also receive a great reward if your "work" stands the test of Divine scrutiny. Keep "the Day" in mind when you preach! Preach as though it were your last opportunity to prepare people for the day of judgment. Remember, your reward depends, in part, upon what is produced by your preaching. That single consideration will have a remarkable impact upon what you say and how you say it.
Suffering eternal loss
"If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss." If the people we have converted and attempted to nurture are proven unsuitable for glory, we will endure loss. How much loss we endure will be determined by how much of our effort yielded no eternal fruit. Jesus ordained His disciples not only to produce fruit, but that their fruit "might remain" (John 15:16). He had "the Day" in view and we do well to do the same.
Men may not consider things this precisely, but God does. If those upon whom we have expended our labor are not finally received into glory, we have wasted our time. Mind you, this does not mean we never speak unless we are assured people will receive what we say. Jesus preached in the synagogues, where He was rejected. Paul proclaimed in synagogues, market places, and the arena where philosophers gathered. Their extended efforts, however, were not spent here. In every case, those who followed them received extended instruction.
The failure of modern preachers and teachers to make men aware of judgment day has nearly hidden this truth. There is a lot of loose thinking about how we spend our preaching time. Some think of preaching in the context of congregational life and institutional objectives. Paul thought of it in the context of the day of judgment.
The thought of suffering "loss" in the day of judgment is a fearful thought. My own contemplation of it has dictated what I preach and how I preach it. It has determined how I consider the response of people, and where I want to devote my time. I do not want to "suffer loss" when those to whom I have devoted my ministry stand before te Lord. You do not need to be an extraordinarily wise man to understand the reason for such thinking.
He himself will be saved
" . . . but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." Our ultimate salvation does not depend upon the salvation of those who embraced our message. We ourselves must pass through the fire of Divine confrontation. How we ourselves have been positioned on the Foundation will be evaluated. God will determine whether we are "gold, silver, or precious stones" -- or whether we are "wood, hay, and stubble."
Preachers who have technically said the right things, will themselves be judged. If they have preached the Gospel, but have lived contrary to it, it will do them no good. It is the business of every preacher to be in fellowship with Christ. Personal spiritual excellence and maturity are essential. The institution may not require it, but God does. The organization may not be strict about spirituality, but God is. It is true, "For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ" (Rom 14:10).
God will destroy him!
"If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are." There are some very sobering words in Scripture, and this is one of them. God's view of Christ and His church are here perceived. After giving His Son for the sins of the world, and exalting Him to His right hand, God will not tolerate the corruption of His church. The body of Christ is "being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit" (Eph 2:22). Those who dare to corrupt this dwelling place with unacceptable materials will be destroyed, cut off from God. All "wood, hay, and stubble" will be burned out of the building in that day. Those who have placed it there by inferior and distorted preaching will also be burned out.
It is our business to know the truth about this matter. "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (Verse 16). Ever keep before your mind that God dwells in the structure you are building. If you, by your preaching, allow into that spiritual structure people who are at variance with God, "the day will declare it."
This word is not intended to drive men from the holy activity of preaching, but alert them to the opportunity to glorify God and accrue a noble reward also. Whatever tends to hide this from us is dangerous, and is to be avoided at all cost.
QUESTIONS
1 This lesson was about having a proper foundation for preaching. What does "foundation" mean?
2 What does it mean to build on the foundation?
3 What does it mean to "take heed how" we build on the foundation?
4 Will God evaluate how we have built upon the foundation? What text of Scripture reveals this?
5 What does "made known by fire" mean?
NEXT LESSON
Next month will be our last meeting. We will meet on Monday, December 29th. Our final subject will be "FRUIT THAT REMAINS." It will complement the theme we have just covered. Consider the following texts for your presentation. Do your best to ponder all of the thoughts we have developed this year.
(1) What God has said about preaching. (2) Focused preaching. (3) Preaching what you can see. (4) Considering your audience. (5) Making preaching relevant. (6) Avoiding Divine judgment. (7) A pleasing fragrance to God. (8) Having your own treasury. (9) Refreshment through speaking. (10) The spirit of faith. (11) Building on the foundation.
PREACHING
"For the message of the cross . . . is the power of God" (1 Cor 1:18
Lesson Twelve
FRUIT THAT REMAINS
by Given O. Blakely
"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing . . . By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples . . . You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you" (NKJV). "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing . . . This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples . . . You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name" (NIV). John 15:5,8,16
INTRODUCTION
As a preacher or teacher of the Word, you are in the FRUIT-BEARING business. "Fruit," in this case, is kingdom life produced outside of your own person. Remember, the Holy Spirit bears fruit IN you (Gal 5:22-23). He also bears fruit BY you. Rom 1:13; Col 1:6).
While our text was spoken to Christ's Apostles, it is not confined to them. They are not the only fruit bearers in the Kingdom of God. God has revealed that we are "married" to Christ in order "that we should bear fruit to God" (Rom 7:4). This is fruit, or spiritual results, that are for the honor and glory of God. It is not fruit for the church, or a religious institution, but for God! Every aspect of salvation, particularly preaching and teaching, relates directly to God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ.
The wholehearted embrace of this single perception will revolutionize your preaching and teaching. Your responsibility is primarily to God. You are not to be engaged in an effort designed to boost your ego, strengthen a religious organization, or put your name in lights.
As apparent as that may appear, much of today's "preacher-training" is designed to accomplish those objectives. They really, as a rule, have very little to do with bringing fruit to God. This is a tragic situation. You should discern from our texts the seriousness of the subject. It involves Divine appointment, revealed objective, and the glorification of God. While the quality of fruit is critical, Jesus speaks of "MUCH fruit." Discipleship even depends upon this activity!
CONNECTION WITH JESUS
Fruit bearing begins with a vital connection with the Lord Jesus Christ. "I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." This is a Kingdom Law! Jesus is the appointed means of producing fruit for God--but it is produced through individuals maintaining their identity with Him. The preacher or teacher himself has fellowship with the Son of God! I cannot overemphasize the importance of this.
In the Western world, an institutional emphasis dominates religion. The sad truth of the matter is that fellowship with Christ does not rank high in such an focus. However, it does with the Lord, and He has graciously informed us of that criticality.
Preaching and teaching is an extension of Christ Jesus' life: "I am the Vine, you are the branches." Results that are recognized by God require a vibrant connection with Christ. "He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit." Notice that the abiding is reciprocal: "He who abides in Me, and I in him." Without this vital affiliation, bearing real fruit is not possible. ". . . for without Me you can do nothing." Belief of this will affect the way you prepare and deliver a message or a lesson. To be a great preacher, you must be close to Jesus!
MUCH FRUIT
"He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit . . . "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit . . . " Throughout Scripture, the result of Christ's vicarious atonement is associated with abundance. Salvation is not a small objective! God has invested much of Himself in the matter. He has appointed Jesus to bring "MANY sons to glory" (Heb 2:10). He has institutes a salvation that shall reach to "all the ends of the earth" (Psa 67:7; Isa 52:10).
Many of us have been called to labor in relatively small circles. But we must not allow ourselves to be unduly influenced by this situation. The salvation of God is not a small work, and the activity into which He has called us is not to be associated with smallness. The Kingdom of God had a small beginning, but it will not stay small. It began like a small stone, but will become a mountain that fills the whole earth (Dan 2:31- 45).
God is not looking occasional results! He has undertaken a "great salvation," with a "great God and Savior." a "great High Priest," and undergirded by "exceeding great and precious promises" (Heb 2:3; Tit 2:13; Heb 4:14; 2 Pet 1:4). Only the concept of "much fruit" can only fit into such spiritual greatness!
Vital Associations
Do not miss the vital associations Jesus makes with "much fruit." First, this is a mark of being a disciple. "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples" (John 15:8). A disciple is someone that follows, and is taught by, the Lord Jesus Christ. The disciple is associated with the Master. In modern parlance, the Master is the Teacher, and the disciple is the student.
What does this tell you? Primarily, that you are taught by Jesus while engaged in His work. Jesus teaches, so to speak, while He is on the move with His disciples. If you unplug from His work, you also are removed from His tutelage!
Second, The Father is glorified by the disciple bring forth "much fruit." "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit . . . " Among other things, this confirms the Father is dishonored by a lack of fruit. He is looking for more than a profession from His people. They have been called into co-partnery with Him (1 Cor 3:9). God Himself is "working salvation in the midst of the earth" (Psa 74:12). At the moment you become idle, and non-productive in His Kingdom, you are no longer walking with God.
What Is Much Fruit?
If "much fruit" is so critical, just what is it? It is a numerical count? From time to time, that is involved. The day of Pentecost was associated with significant numerical results (Acts 2:41). After the healing of the blind man at the gate Beautiful, five thousand men responded to the Word of God (Acts 4:4). Philip's powerful preaching of Christ brought the entire city of Samaria to faith in Christ (Acts 8:6-8). But those are not the only kind of results recorded!
Philip, used of God to spark a revival in Samaria, was sent by God to a desert to preach the Gospel to one man (Acts 8:26-38). Paul took time to proclaim the Gospel to a group of women gathered near a river, on the Sabbath day, for prayer (Acts 16:13-15). Peter declared the Gospel to Cornelius and his household (Acts 10:30-48). Paul and Silas made known the truth of God to a jailor and his family (Acts 16:26-41).
"Much fruit," in this case, is a term of proportion. This condition is depicted in the parables of the talents and the pounds. In both cases, the investment given to the stewards was returned with considerable growth (Matt 25:15-28; Luke 19:13-25).
In the case of the preacher and teacher, fruit might be described as follows. As we sit at the feet of Jesus, He begins to open the truth to us in all of its glorious facets. As we perceive these things, we declare it with power to others. When the realities we have seen are also seen in them, that is fruit! As faith is given to them, that is fruit! What Peter saw at Pentecost, when it was proclaimed, was seen by 3,000 additional people. Proportionately, that is "much" fruit!
In these lessons, I have labored to show you how preaching is to be approached. You are to preach from your own treasury, declaring things you have seen. Bearing fruit has to do with other people seeing those things also, because you have declared them.
In preaching, you are not primarily trying to change people. That result is in the area of "increase," which belongs to God, not you. Many a ministry has been spoiled, and finally abandoned, because the preacher or teacher was trying to change people. As a result, his preaching and teaching was more philosophical than a proclamation. Let the Lord Jesus state the case for you, as He did for Saul, when He called Him to be an Apostle. "But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness . . . Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me" (Acts 26:16-18). That is bearing fruit!
Paul took up the commission with vigor. As he himself said, "To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see . . . " (Eph 3:8-9).
Succinctly stated, bearing fruit involves the insights and benefits you have received from God being experienced by those within the perimeter of your influence. In these sessions, we have focused on preaching and teaching. However, this extends into other areas as well; i.e., giving, showing mercy, exhorting, administrations, etc. God deposits His riches within the believer, making him a custodian of the same. As he handles his stewardship honorably and to God's glory, God is glorified by the extension of those gifts in others. Too, the disciple, having proved himself a worthy steward, will be given more by the Lord. As it is written, "For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him" (Matt 13:12). Thus fruit will continue to increase.
FRUIT THAT REMAINS
The Lord summons us into Kingdom activity that produces lasting fruit. Hear the Lord Jesus with an attentive ear! " . . . but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain . . . "
Fruit that does not "remain" brings no glory to God! The institutional church has grown accustomed to fall-outs--God has not! The Kingdom of God is not a Kingdom of dropouts! The salvation provided by God through Christ Jesus is not calculated to fail! Those who fall away do so because they have turned away from the Gospel. Such have turned away from the truth and abandoned the Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the world!
For fruit to "remain," therefore, individuals must be "rooted and grounded in love, and become "able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height," brought to "know the love of Christ which passes knowledge", in order that they may be "filled with all the fullness of God" (Eph 3:17-19). If this is not accomplished, the fruit will NOT "remain."
This is why holy men of God labored to bring the saints to maturity. They engaged in energetic efforts to "establish" the people of God in the faith (Rom 16:25; 1 Thess 3:2,13; 2 Thess 2:17; 3:3; James 5:8; 1 Pet 5:10). They knew God has given preaching and teaching gifts to the body of Christ to equip the saints "for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."
They labored energetically, in accord with Divine intent, to bring the people of God "to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." Knowing of the aggression of the devil, their ministry targeted a condition where the saints would "no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting." These men so declared the Word of God as to make the truth of God an integral part of the believers. Thus, they would be found "speaking the truth in love," thereby enabled to "grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ." They knew that experiential connectivity with the Lord Jesus was absolutely essential. As the appointed Head, He is the only One "from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share", can experience "growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love" (Eph 4:12-16). This is how fruit "remains." It is by solidifying the relation of Christ and His people. This is primarily accomplished through the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ. That is more than a mere recitation of the facts, although that is a necessary repeated activity. It also involves declaring the implications of that glorious Gospel--showing how it impacts upon both thought and conduct. This is what is accomplished in the Epistles. Suffice it to say, professed preachers who do not ground people in the truth of God are actually enemies of the cross. They do infinite damage to the body of Christ, robbing it of its resources, giving the advantage to the devil, and making a departure from the faith imminent. As a servant of God, you must avoid embracing lifeless views of preaching. Avoid the fads of the times, and the tips of those who exploit people to their own advantage. If your fruit does not remain, you yourself will "suffer loss" (1 Cor 3:1 Cor 3:15). But that is not all! God will, in such a case, have been robbed of glory by your activity, Jesus dishonored, and the saints handicapped. Preaching the Word of God is a most serious activity. Keep it that way! God will bless you when you put your heart into His work. The people who hear you will profit spiritually by what you have to say. The Holy Spirit will be able to work with your words. The elect angels will also find satisfaction in your presentation. Your's is a noble work!
CONCLUSION
The closing words of our Lord in this section are challenging. Avoid embracing a theological view which robs them of their power. "I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you" (John 15:6).
If you are serious about the Lord, these words have a glorious sound to them. You may imagine they have no application to you--but that is only an imagination. Cast it down with the spiritual weaponry God has provided (2 Cor 10:4-5). Think of the breadth of the promise: "whatsoever you shall ask." Consider the directness of the petitions: "whatever you ask the Father." Ponder the relation of the Lord Jesus to this matter: "whatever you ask the Father in My name." Contemplate the glorious nature of the promise: "whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you."
Do you dare to believe something of that magnitude? We are speaking of things appropriated through ASKING! That brings the promise within your grasp! You are not asking out of selfish interests, or to accomplish carnal objectives. The petition flows out of your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ! "In My name," means the earnest appeal has been made because you have the "mind of Christ." Your fellowship with Him has compelled you to make the request! Your involvement in His work has caused you to see the need for thing for which you ask!
To put it another way, as you are engaged in bearing fruit, you will sense your natural poverty. You will therefore flee to the Throne of all grace to appropriate resources required for fruit bearing. And how will the Father react to such supplications? You have the promise from the Lord Jesus Himself. He will "give you" what you ask!
Earlier in this very passage, Jesus made a similar commitment. "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7). Earlier in the evening during which our text was spoken, Jesus said, "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it" (John 14:13-14). After our text, Jesus again confirmed the truth now being proclaimed. "Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you" (John 16:23). With stirring and challenging words, the Savior exhorts His disciples. "Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16:24).
Now, be up and laboring in the Kingdom. Honor God by your preaching. Magnify Christ in your teaching. Bring believers to maturity by what you say! Throw yourself into the noble work of preaching! Your work will provoke earnest prayers that Christ has guaranteed will be answered. Your fruit will thus remain to God's glory. In that fruit you will be demonstrated to be Christ's disciples in truth! I thank you for being a part of these sessions!
THE ART OF PREACHING
In your preaching, discipline yourself in both study and presentation. Approach your subject with a thoroughness that will honor God and clarify the Kingdom to people. I would caution you concerning a snare common to preachers and teachers. It is this: avoid giving the people all of the details you have garnered in your preparations. When you have a love for the truth, you will be tempted to share everything you have gleaned with the people but that is not what preaching is about. You must give the people the RESULT of your study, not the study itself.
The preacher or teacher is something like a spiritual baker. He has an abundance of ingredients before him, from which something spiritually digestible is to be prepared. If the baker is making a cake, he must draw from many ingredients; i.e., flour, salt, sugar, flavoring, baking powder, water, milk, and eggs. Each of those ingredients is taken from a large supply; i.e., a bag of flour, a bottle of flavor, a container of salts . . . etc. What the baker must do is take an appropriate amount of each ingredient, and mix it together in a unique and proportionate way. To get the cake to the eater, he does not hand out a bag of flour, a bottle of vanilla, and a keg of salt. He puts it together so it will smell good, taste good, and be satisfying. He must become an expert in mixing!
That is what you are doing as a preacher. You are drawing on the vast resources God has supplied in His Word. Your role is to mix various texts together so they become spiritually digestible to the saints. For example, avoid long and distracting introductions. That is like a baker commenting at length about the ingredients themselves, but never putting them together. Ask the Lord to help you in apportioning truth to the profit of the saints. Avoid preaching that is like giving people a bowl of flour, or a cup of salt. Make sure your conclusions are not so drawn out they detract from what you have said. That would be like a cake baked too long, and thus not able to be eaten.
QUESTIONS
1 How important is it that your fruit remains?
2 In your understanding, what is the secret to bearing fruit that remains?
3 Should the preacher be interested in bearing some fruit, or much fruit? Explain your answer.
4 What did Jesus mean when He said His Father was glorified when His disciples bore much fruit?
5 Is it important to help believers grow up, becoming strong men and women in Christ? Why?