This kind of preaching is so rampant nowadays in many churches and fellowships. The result is so glaring. So many professing Christians know more of man’s words than God’s Precious Pure Words. Therefore these so-called Christians are scripturally ignorant, for the simple reason that they are uneducated in the Holy Scriptures. Most professing Christians are so naïve, so simple, so open to receiving almost anything without hesitation thereby easily deceived. They think that everyone who happens to have the title Pastor or Reverend is someone called of the LORD. Not necessarily so. These professing Christians lack spiritual discernment simply because they lack knowledge in the Word, that is, the Bible.
God’s Precious Pure Word gives a warning in
Hosea 4:6 (King James Version)
6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
Lack of knowledge of what? The law of God, that is, God’s Precious Pure Word, the Holy Bible. When a Christian lacks knowledge in the law of God which is God’s Word, it is tantamount to rejecting knowledge thus rejecting God Himself. God says: I will also reject thee.
I say that the main culprit are preachers of the sort like that recent sunday morning. Truly OT Scripture is true: “like people like priest” and vice versa. Yes, in our present times, we can say: “like people like pastor”, “like pastor like people” or “like leader like people”!
Preachers and pastors reproduce their kind.
Hosea 4:9
9And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.
It becomes imperative that Authentic, Genuine, True Born Again Christians who are Bible Believers, are to be like the Berean Christians of
Acts 17:11
11These (Bereans) were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
The Greek word for readiness of mind is prothumia: predisposition, willingness, eagerness, alacrity of mind
They are men and women predisposed to God’s Word, because they are unashamed Bible Believers. They are eager and willing students of God’s Word. Therefore, they have a “teachable spirit” because they have an alacrity of mind, that is, they are prompt, having a cheerful readiness to listen and learn from God’s Precious Pure Word. Their attitude is that of a strong desire to continually add to their knowledge of God’s Word. They recognize that they are “students” (2 Timothy 2:15) of the Bible. Thus, they have a proving spirit. They test everything that they hear preached or taught with the Word of God.
They heed the Scriptural injunction in
1 John 4
1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
The Greek word for try is dokimazō: prove -ed, -est, -ing
to assay, to make trial of, put to the proof, examine; hence, to examine and judge of; prove by test; approve on trial
This is the kind of attitude that we must encourage God’s people to cultivate. Gold is to be assayed, examined as to its content and whether it is genuine or not, more so, when it comes to God’s Word. One cannot tell whether something is counterfeit gold without the knowledge of what is true and genuine gold. It is so in the matter of God’s Word. A proving testing Christian outlook is desirable in these days of apostasy. If God’s people are to be like the Berean Christians in the Book of Acts, they must prove every message and preaching by the Word of God.
What then is a Christ centered message?
1) A Christ centered message is one where Jesus Christ the Living Word is preeminent, that is, central and foremost in the message!
Colossians 1:18
18And he (Christ) is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he (Christ) might have the preeminence.
The Greek word is prōteuō: to be first, hold the first place, or highest dignity
The word preeminent is an adjective which means: having paramount rank, dignity, or importance (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary).
Therefore, pastors must make sure that their message is deeply rooted, of paramount rank or importance in the LORD Jesus Christ. The LORD Jesus Christ is to be first, and given the highest dignity and therefore central in any and all preaching.
2) A Christ centered message is Bible centered!
It is God’s Precious Pure Word that produces faith (Romans 10:17) in the hearts of God’s people. God’s Word being alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12) will evidence in changed, transformed lives resulting in the Christian’s growth and maturity.
Mark 16:20
20And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
The LORD confirms the Word (His Word) faithfully preached by faithful preachers of the Word of God.
1 Timothy 4:6
6If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
The word nourish is a transitive verb: to nurture, rear, to promote the growth of
The Greek word en-trephō: to educate, form the mind
Who is considered a good minister of Jesus Christ? The one who is himself nourished up, educated in the Words of faith and good doctrine. In other words, has been nurtured, reared in God’s Precious Pure Word. Thus, have an much bible knowledge as to good doctrine derived from biblical scriptural teachings and these doctrines/teachings have been experienced as true in the life of the messenger, the pastor or preacher.
3) A Christ centered message is a warning giving message!
2 Timothy 4:2
2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
This kind of message gives warning to God’s people. It also reproves, rebuke and exhort at all times through the proclamation of Biblical teachings.
Many pastors and preachers are afraid to obey this scriptural injunction. They are fearful of offending people even God’s children. Thus, their fear of men bring a snare. Such pastors are ineffective and will not become useful in the LORD’s vineyard.
The faithful ministers will and must only have “the fear of the LORD (Proverbs 1:7) in their hearts.
4) A Christ centered message which is Bible centered will Result in the salvation of people!
Romans 10:8-10
8But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
2 Timothy 3:15-17
15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
5) A Christ centered message will bring Growth and Maturity to Bible Believing Christians!
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Why? Because they will learn, profit from right doctrines, that is, bible teachings;
God’s Word when preached uncompromisingly will reprove anyone who is convicted of any sin or malice in ones life;
Will correct anything that is wrong; and give right instructions for right living, that is, right training.
Correction in Greek epanorthōsis: restoration to an upright or a right state
Instruction in Greek paideia: the training of a child, including discipline and instruction, admonition, rewards and punishments.
The end result is verse 17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
This is the goal in preaching – Maturity of the Christian resulting in Ministry/Service!
THE LORD WILL ONLY HONOR A CHRIST CENTERED MESSAGE!
Evangelist Emmanuel Salvador
11 November 2010
No comments:
Post a Comment