PREACHING TRUTH
Two Christians, a preacher and a taxi driver, died and went to heaven. An angel met the taxi driver and escorted him to a luxuriously furnished, spacious mansion. “I'm overwhelmed!" exclaimed the humble cabbie.
Returning to the preacher, the angel directed him to a smaller, modestly furnished structure. "Hold on", protested the preacher. "Shouldn't I have received the mansion? After all, I preached for over 50 years!"
"True", replied the angel. "But most people fell asleep during your sermons." "Granted”, retorted the preacher. “But what entitles the taxi driver to a far superior reward?" The angel said, "Because his passengers not only remained awake, but they frequently PRAYED for the duration of their ride."
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It’s been said, “A faithful preacher comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable.” The apostle Paul wrote, “Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Col. 1:28). When preachers speak the truth, even sleeping saints sometimes awaken.
Unfortunately, it is tempting for preachers to soften (or dilute) their messages in order to avoid offending anyone. After all, preachers who “rock the boat” tend to have the shortest tenures. On the other hand, preachers that “preach to please” invariably fail to help Christians grow spiritually.
Although the apostle Paul preached the truth in love (Eph. 4:15), he never diluted his messages in order to please men. “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16) Moreover, he exhorted Timothy to “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching.” (2 Tim. 4:2-3).
Summing up, Paul wrote “…do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” (Gal. 1:10).
Preaching the truth is not always easy. So please pray that I will lovingly but courageously preach the truth, regardless of consequences to myself.
Live for the Lord in 2024!
Dennis
Two Christians, a preacher and a taxi driver, died and went to heaven. An angel met the taxi driver and escorted him to a luxuriously furnished, spacious mansion. “I'm overwhelmed!" exclaimed the humble cabbie.
Returning to the preacher, the angel directed him to a smaller, modestly furnished structure. "Hold on", protested the preacher. "Shouldn't I have received the mansion? After all, I preached for over 50 years!"
"True", replied the angel. "But most people fell asleep during your sermons." "Granted”, retorted the preacher. “But what entitles the taxi driver to a far superior reward?" The angel said, "Because his passengers not only remained awake, but they frequently PRAYED for the duration of their ride."
------------------------------------------------------------------------
It’s been said, “A faithful preacher comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable.” The apostle Paul wrote, “Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Col. 1:28). When preachers speak the truth, even sleeping saints sometimes awaken.
Unfortunately, it is tempting for preachers to soften (or dilute) their messages in order to avoid offending anyone. After all, preachers who “rock the boat” tend to have the shortest tenures. On the other hand, preachers that “preach to please” invariably fail to help Christians grow spiritually.
Although the apostle Paul preached the truth in love (Eph. 4:15), he never diluted his messages in order to please men. “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16) Moreover, he exhorted Timothy to “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching.” (2 Tim. 4:2-3).
Summing up, Paul wrote “…do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” (Gal. 1:10).
Preaching the truth is not always easy. So please pray that I will lovingly but courageously preach the truth, regardless of consequences to myself.
Live for the Lord in 2024!
Dennis
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