“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” (I Thessalonians 2:4).
We are all accountable to God on WHAT, WHY, WHEN, WHERE & HOW we handle the SCRIPTURE that GOD entrusted into our hands, especially PREACHERS *for unto whomsoever much is given, OF HIM SHALL BE MUCH REQUIRED: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more (Luke 12:48).
WHAT: What do you preach?
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It’s high time we started asking ourselves, what do we preach, the truth or not? There are so many, in fact, in all sects, preaching things they were taught of by gullible and/or ignorant men, other than the Bible truth.
“How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?” (Proverbs 1:22). SELAH.
WHY: Why do you preach?
What we do can be traced to why we do them and everyone has at least a reason he’s doing what he is doing. It’s a fact that there is always a rationale behind what we do.
“And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. [15] Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: [16] The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.(Philippians 1:14-17).
*”And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds…”* I am saddened that many “brethren in Christ” are confident and much more confident to speak deceitfully to add afflictions to others simply to please men, gain favour and praise of men to the detriment of the truth that brings freedom.
Today Christians are shambled unenthusiastically because of deceits and blur painting of God’s word by preachers who ought to lead aright.
“Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the Lord : therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered” (Jeremiah 12:10 & 10:21).
A preacher once said, “if I preach the way you preach, I will not be able to put food on the table for my family”. Do you preach to put food on the table?
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*”…knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel”* It’s so sad that we have preachers who will not defend the gospel and will not be kind to those that defend the gospel. They gossip, smear, pretend, condemn and speak ill of defenders of the gospel and doctrines they know little or nothing of, behind or before for personal gains, filthy lucre, serving men other than God.
“For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, SPECIALLY THEY OF THE CIRCUMCISION: [11] Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake” (Titus 1:10-11).
WHEN: When will you preach what you ought to preach?
Many for personal gains; fame, praise, and filthy lucre have postponed when they will start preaching the truth, maybe, after they must have gathered sufficient fame and affluence.
“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. [12] The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. [13] Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. [14] But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Romans 13:11-14).
*WHERE:* Where do you preach the truth?
So many preachers select where to preach the truth just as they select which sin is to commit. A preacher once said, “I select where I preach certain doctrines lest I offend those who invited me” Mtcheeew! Is that the case with you?
√ Do you select where to preach Salvation by grace lest they say you are evil just as you select where to preach eternal security, lest they say you are promoting sin?
√ Do you select where to preach wearing of jewelry is not wrong lest they go out of modesty, just as you select where to preach that dancing is not sin, lest they become immoderate?
√ Do you select where to preach that women “Pastoring” is wrong, lest women are offended just as you select where to preach that *without holiness no man can see the Lord* lest they say you preach works’ salvation?
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; [2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. [5] But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry” (II Timothy 4:1-5).
*HOW:* How do you preach the gospel?
“The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds” (Philippians 1:16).
The manner and method at which a preacher preaches will definitely reveal three major levels of the preacher.
(a) Level of maturity
(b) Level of training
(c) Level of Reasoning
None of these levels are determined by the number of years in the ministry, number of flocks you have, number of schools or degrees attained, etc.
*”The one preach Christ of contention”* Many preachers have the pulpit as a ground to contend, debate or strife with certain persons that they can’t face. They wrestle Bible verses with private interpretation to buttress their opinion.
*”not sincerely”* They contend in pretense as though they are preaching Christ’s glory but self-willed.
*”supposing to add affliction to my bonds”* In reality, they do not add afflictions but they think they do. Gospel defenders rejoice when they are being buffeted for the faith. They are not intimated. They are fierce. Are you a Preacher, lover of truth? Be steadfast!
*WHO I AM:* I am a resolute and very passionate defender of the gospel against all odds. I resigned from my personal desire of being a practicing Medical Personnel in 2010 to become a practicing Biblical Preacher. I have grown since then, maybe more from my personal study than I was taught (Acts 17:11) and there is room for me to grow more and more into perfection. “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God” (Hebrews 6:1).
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*Declaration:* I, *Victor Thompsons* WILL RATHER RESIGN FROM THE MINISTRY THAN PREACH TO PLEASE MEN.*NOT AS PLEASING MEN*
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