A BIBLICAL EXAMPLE: I have been thinking a lot about the gospel and how it is perpetuated. As a preacher of the gospel and a pastor of a segment of his church, I often find myself seeking the face of God for the distinct purpose of hearing His voice. I have found that the minister of the Gospel and the servant of the Lord Jesus Christ must both HEAR WHAT THE FATHER WANTS US TO SAY and DO WHAT HE WANTS US TO DO. Jesus seem to indicate that these two things served as guardrails to keep him on the path that was before him. He said in (JOHN 12/29) that “HE ONLY SAYS WHAT HE HAS HEARD FROM HIS FATHER” and in (JOHN5/19) he says “HE ONLY DOES WHAT HE HAS SEEN HIS FATHER DO.” Wow! If there was ever a message for the leadership of God’s Church, there it is. Here are the biblical parameters for those who would preach this gospel------SPEAK ONLY WHAT WE HEAR FROM THE FATHER AND DO ONLY WHAT JESUS DID. There are the safeguards for finding and following the will of God. I am confident that if we live and operate within these parameters, we will discover the message this world needs to hear. I am convinced that when we as ministers operate within these parameters we will function with unction and the enemy will not be able to trip us up. My Lord I feel a shout coming on! If we will operated within these parameters we would avoid a lot of the goofy stuff that comes from the heart of men rather than the heart of God. My prayer is God help me to SPEAK AND DO ONLY WHAT I HEAR FROM YOU. Forget about the man-made programs and carnal efforts that appeal to the flesh and egos of men. Forget about our efforts to impress and engage a culture by positioning ourselves a straddle of the fence that no true believer can ride. Forget about the gospel of appeasement that preaches self-enhancement instead of self-surrender and self-promotion rather than Self Sacrifice. Jesus made it clear in (LUKE 9/23) that anyone who wanted to serve him must “DENY HIMSELF, TAKE UP HIS CROSS AND FOLLOW HIM.” I am concerned that in an attempt to put people in our pews we have lost sight of our calling to put truth in their hearts. My bible says, “YE SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH AND THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE.” I understand that we are to do all we can to get people into the house of the Lord. We are too “GO INTO THE HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS AND COMPELL PEOPLE TO COME IN.” That being said, scripture is clear that it is “THE LORD WHO ADDS TO THE CHURCH DAILY SUCH AS SHOULD BE SAVED” (ACTS 2/47). COME ON SOMEBODY! My Lord it seems to me that you have grown a little silent out there this evening. No wonder the present day church is riddled with ungodliness and apathy. No wonder many folks who hold the title of believer are still struggling to live like they are believers. No wonder the behavior of many look more like the WORKS OF THE FLESH listed in GALATIANS 5 than they do the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT. BOY, WE ARE SHOUTING NOW, AREN’T WE? I must say, I do get a little concerned when preachers of the gospel get a little thin skinned in regard to the criticism of men. Listen, I can’t remember a time, since I have been saved, that I haven’t had someone criticizing me. I’m just telling you the way it is. When I gave my heart to God, some criticized me because I didn’t look like the typical Assembly of God boy. It must have had something to do with the Grizzly Adams beard I was sporting at the time. When I received my call into the ministry, I can remember some of my friends and co-workers who literally laughed when I shared with them I had been called to preach. That will do wonders for your confidence. I can remember preaching my first sermon which I entitled, “HE’S ALIVE!” The next evening I went to my mom’s house and my family was playing the cassette of my preaching. The only problem was they were playing it on fast speed and so the tape sounded like ALVIN THE CHIPMUNK saying, “HE’S ALIVE, HE’S ALIVE, HE’S ALIVE” and they were rolling in the floor. Now that will really enhance your ego! Then when I was asked by my presbyter Bro. Winkle to try out at my first church, some criticized me for leaving our home church. After I had been pastor at Elm Grove Assembly of God for about a year or so, the church was growing and I felt I needed to leave my secular job to go full time in the church and again I was criticized for leaving a good paying job with benefits. According to my critics, the only reason I was doing it was because I was lazy and didn’t want to work. Forget the fact that I had been working since I was big enough to get in a hay field and I often held down a full time job, went to school at night and hauled hay on the nights I was free but still in the minds of some, I had to be lazy because it was the only thing that made sense to them. After I had pastored the church at Elm Grove a few years I was asked to come and try out at another church that paid a lot more money but when I refused to go because I couldn’t get a release from the Lord to do so, I again was criticized by those who thought I should think more of my family. When I resigned the church at Elm Grove and decided to follow what I believed to be the call of God to Trumann Arkansas, I again was criticized by some, even some within our own families. Some had made the comment that the only reason he is moving down there is because he is getting a big raise to go but the fact was, I took a cut in pay to come to Trumann. So don’t let the critics keep you from your God-given assignment. You have to remember that it is difficult for someone with a carnal perspective to understand the call of God. All they see, is that you are making decisions that they dont understand. When we are criticized we just have to remember that those who are not following God HImself, wont understand why we do what we do because the things of God are spiritually discerned. I only rehearse this history because I want you to see that if you are going to do anything for the kingdom of God you have to be a little deaf to the critics, who no matter what you do or how hard you try, they are going to find fault with the choices you make. So we must not let the critics get too us because once that happens we have pitted ourselves against part of God’s children who need to be restored rather than reviled. My challenge you to my friend is to HEAR WHAT GOD IS SAYING TO YOU and DO WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN HIM DO. May God bless and keep you all in His tender care.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 06:08:46 +0000