Messengers for God
Is your pastor a preacher or a messenger? There is a difference. A person can preach about most anything. But God's messenger is confined to the Word of God and its message.
One of the most responsible vocations in all the world is that of preaching the Gospel. No one should ever consider going into the ministry unless he has a distinct call from God. There is no question about it, there are many in our pulpits who do not belong there. When a man has a call from the Lord, with an obedient heart, and gives himself to adequate training and preparation to proclaim the truth, he can be a mighty firebrand for God.
Many centuries ago, the apostle Paul gave a challenge to young Timothy, saying, 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; preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. Here, the minister's responsibility is outlined. If he fails to do what Paul has stated in these verses, he is failing himself, his congregation, and most of all his God—for he is appointed by God to be His messenger. He should be like a great water main attached to the everlasting reservoir of God's truth, grace, and love. Refreshing streams of the water of life should flow through him to reach into the hearts of those who listen. Above all else, he must see himself as a messenger from God.
In one of his early pastorates, G. Campbell Morgan had an impressive experience. At the close of a Sunday evening service, as he sat alone in his study, the question came to him as clearly as though spoken by someone in the next room: "What are you going to be? A preacher? or My messenger?" He went back over the evening's sermon and was convinced that his secret desire was to be known as a great preacher. For hours, he sat pondering the question and praying. Finally, he gave his answer: "My Lord, I want to be Your messenger. If You will give me the words to speak, I will utter them from this day forward; adding nothing to them, taking nothing away."
God used G. Campbell Morgan in a mighty way because he became a messenger of God's truth. How many of our preachers are failing in this responsibility? They remind me of the knife-thrower we have seen at the circus. Someone stands against a large board and the knife-thrower begins. One knife will be driven into the board just above the person's head, another close by his ear, another under his armpit, and so on. For the knife-thrower, this reveals skill and precision. But it is sad to say that many preachers preach like this. They never strike their object! Sometimes they come close but, more often than not, they miss. Such an art may be "skill" for a knife-thrower but it is a complete failure for a preacher. They say, "Don't be afraid. I never get personal." They offend no one. They preach what people want to hear while completely ignoring the one message every minister is to proclaim: the Gospel of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul declared, in Romans 1:16, I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. The message of the Gospel has as its center the grand theme of Christ and Him crucified. This is a narrow message, I know. It is limited. Yet, in spite of its narrowness and limitation, it is the only message that is as wide as the heart of God, as vast as eternity, and as boundless as the multiplied needs of mankind.
Paul said, in 1 Corinthians 9:16, Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel. He did not dwell on politics, Social Security, social action, liberation, or dozens of other subjects that some ministers get all excited about in our day. He had an unresting compulsion within to tell out the good news of God. Anyone not doing this is no longer a true minister—he is simply a lecturer.
On an outdoor bulletin board, there appeared the sermon title: Christ's Chief Competitor. Immediately below that title was the name of the minister. It would appear that, inadvertently and unconsciously, he was telling the community that he was Christ's chief competitor. As you listen to the content of some sermons, you almost feel that the preacher is Christ's chief competitor, for many of these sermons are Christ-less. They are shallow and empty, leaving those in the pews saying "Sir, we would see Jesus..." What John Sebastian Bach, the great composer, wrote at the beginning and end of his musical compositions should be spoken by every minister as he begins and finishes his sermon preparation-"For the glory of God and with the help of Christ." If a man of God preaches a message which has been prepared in this spirit, through the power of the Holy Spirit, there will most assuredly be results.
One Sunday morning, a minister concluded the service and went to the door to greet the members of his flock. After everyone had left, he noticed a young lady seated in a pew towards the front of the church with her head bowed. Thinking she had some special spiritual need, he went up and quietly asked, "Is there something I can do for you?" Slowly, she raised her head with face aglow and exclaimed, "Oh isn't Christ beautiful!" As the preacher proclaimed Christ in the morning message, this young lady had seen the Lord Jesus in all of His glory and the truth of God overwhelmed her. All she could do was bow in His presence and give praise to God. Friends, this is proper preaching! This is the kind of preaching that reaches lives. It is the kind of preaching the Holy Spirit uses to transform lives. I say to my ministerial brethren, give thought to these things. Ours is a great task. Give thought to the words of Colossians 4:17, Take heed, to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it. We may not be the greatest preachers who ever proclaimed the truth, but may God help us to be faithful preachers fulfilling our responsibility as messengers for God.
If you are reading this and do not know Jesus Christ personally, I extend to you an invitation to trust in Him right now. You can do that simply by bowing your head and saying, "Jesus, I know I am a sinner. But I want to be saved. Come into my life and save me." J. Allen Blair
Attention New Christians
If you've recently placed your faith in Jesus Christ, we want to help. We will send you a dozen messages in print by Dr. Blair that will help you with your new life in Christ. Write and ask us for the New Christian Packet.
Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed!
(Read the entire text in 2 Timothy)
How to Look for a Good Church
From the files of Dr. J. Allen Blair
Choosing a church that is close to home can be dangerous! You may have to drive a few miles, but it could be worth your effort. Here are a few guide lines to help you.
Look for a church with the following qualities:
Things are really happening!
Not just one service a week
People are getting saved
People love each other
Jesus Christ is exalted!
Not just a popular pastor
Jesus is glorified, not Pastor "Blank"
Not making a name for a person
Believes in prayer!
Mid-week prayer meeting
Special prayer groups all week
Prayer as mainline, not sideline
The Word of God is taught!
Teaching, not just preaching
Relevant for life today
Effective, producing repentance
Interest is in people not membership!
Discipleship before membership
High standards for membership
Classes required for new members
Strong missionary concern and outreach!
Not self-centered, local programs only
Supports numbers of missionaries
Giving is increased, not stagnant
Better Than Birds
In my yard, I have counted 27 kinds of birds on or near the feeders. Daily they check in for a bite and bath. Even when it is raining, we see them come and go. God designed these little creatures with a built-in umbrella—oily feathers—to keep them warm and safe. The free printed message by Dr. Blair for this month is not a study in ornithology, but you'll be encouraged to learn that you are the subject of this message. Write for a free copy of this tract sized message, Better Than Birds.
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