Just a few quick words…. may the Lord be with us in this journey-yes He is Amen. Looking at the reality of how one is to deal with the devilish foolishness of non-preaching preachers who continue to savage the sheep of Christ. See the original text of Romans 16:17-18
17 Παρακαλῶ δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, σκοπεῖν τοὺς τὰς διχοστασίας καὶ τὰ σκάνδαλα παρὰ τὴν διδαχὴν ἣν ὑμεῖς ἐμάθετε ποιοῦντας, καὶ ἐκκλίνετε ἀπʼ αὐτῶν· 18 οἱ γὰρ τοιοῦτοι τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν Χριστῷ οὐ δουλεύουσιν ἀλλὰ τῇ ἑαυτῶν κοιλίᾳ, καὶ διὰ τῆς χρηστολογίας καὶ εὐλογίας ἐξαπατῶσιν τὰς καρδίας τῶν ἀκάκων. Romans 16:17-18
Interesting choice of words by Paul. Looking, noticing and taking note of those who refuse to hear the word of God and thus make their own opinion on matters, even issues of practical theology, most certainly on doctrine. According to his writing to Titus, they are βδελυκτοὶ and should be marked and avoided because the deny Christ by their continued works against Him and His word. (Titus 1)
Next time you hear polemics, fodder and hooping and hollering from a pulpit, ask the man to exposit a textual proof within the context; then ask him if he has submitted to Christ in dealing with the one he’s flaming according to the text of scripture? If not, then rebuke him sharply, move on and leave him to the devil.
Pray that God may grant him repentance that he may have eternal life… at least that what Paul teaches Timothy. (2Tim2:25 μήποτε δώῃ αὐτοῖς ὁ θεὸς μετάνοιαν)
Do all of this knowing that the God of all love and mercy has granted you salvation through Jesus Christ and without this, you and I would be in the same boat: dead in our sins. Be gentle, guide and disciple, always being ready to give a reason for the HOPE, not the FEAR.
Christians do not FEAR false teaching, they worship the TRUTH in the midst of it and correct it with patience. Enough of the unfit ministers in a fit of rage! Let’s settle down and watch the grace of God give salvation to the hearers of His word!
#DIP #devilinthepulpit
Pastor James
Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon
