Post by nicfos on Mar 10, 2005 8:47:50 GMT -5
Preach Without Compromise
Know That You Will Answer To God For It
"I believe in preaching without compromise against sin." - Franklin Graham
How is it possible to preach without compromise against sin in the midst of a people who always want to hear the positive or have their ears tickled with lies, "sweet talk," and flattering words?
Consider the following Scriptural directives -
1. Determine To Tell The Truth No Matter What The Cost
2 Corinthians 12:6 - "..I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth..."
2 Corinthians 7:14 "...I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth..."
Speak nothing but...say everything in...strictly confine yourself to...mention nothing but that which is according to the simple truth. At no time, allow foolish boasting or practice any disguise. Let others find your promises, commands, and expectations to always be realized.
2. Know That You Will Answer To God For It
1 Timothy 2:7 - "Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity."
2 Corinthians 6:7 - "By the word of truth..."
The Apostle Paul testified that he was set, placed, appointed, and set apart as a herald or announcer of the Gospel. His God-given commission was to preach the Good News faithfully and truly - in faith and truth - making known the simple truth - while at no time running before being sent, speaking that which he did not receive from God, or corrupting it with false mixtures of man's wisdom or philosophies.
He took this commission very seriously by making it a solemn oath to always be found testifying "the truth in Christ, and lying not."
3. At All Times Avoid Being Unscrupulous Or Dishonest
2 Corinthians 4:2 - "But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."
Those ministers who resolve to preach without compromise against sin must bid farewell to any "smooth" or "slick talk" or the twisting and corrupting of the Truth in order to please their audiences. They must determine in their hearts before God and men that they will always use plainness of speech - making obvious to all - their stand on the Holy Scriptures.
4. Never Forget - Speaking The Truth Will Cost You Something
Galatians 4:16 - "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?"
2 Corinthians 6:8 - "...as deceivers, and yet true."
Some people will actually regard you as a "deceiver" because you tell the truth - because you speak a language that they are not used to hearing. They have sat under the teaching of "slick talking" preachers for so long that when you come along preaching and teaching the Truth, they account you as an imposter.
Others will consider you as their enemy because you acquaint them with their faults and follies. These who love to be flattered will shrink back from any exposure of their sinful ways. They would rather treat you coldly, cut off your acquaintance, or label you as an enemy rather than face the truth about themselves and change.
You can preach without compromise against sin and you must.
Read what several commentaries had to say about this subject.
Barnes' Notes - "Christianity is open, plain, straightforward. It has no alliance with cunning, and trick, and artifice. It should be defended openly, stated clearly, and urged with steady argument. It is a work of light and not of darkness."
"The object of the appointment of the Christian ministry is to make known the truth..."
Adam Clarke - "Faithfully and truly, preaching the TRUTH, the whole TRUTH, and nothing but the TRUTH; and this fervently, affectionately, and perseveringly."
Matthew Henry - "Ministers may sometimes create enemies to themselves by the faithful discharge of their duty; for this was the case of Paul, he was accounted their enemy for telling them the truth. Yet ministers must not forbear speaking the truth, for fear of offending others and drawing their displeasure upon them."
And lastly, read the comment found in Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary -"A person with pure motives and real friendship does not always say things that are pleasant to hear. Paul was telling the truth, and as a result was being labeled as their enemy. Sometimes the truth hurts, but a faithful friend would courageously confront another."
Franklin Graham, the son of the world-renowned evangelist Billy Graham, openly stated - "I believe in preaching without compromise against sin."
As a minister of the Gospel, what do you believe? Or as a member of a particular congregation, what do you expect of your Pastor?
Preach the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth - "fervently, affectionately, and perseveringly. " Are you doing that?
The Apostle Paul boldly declared - "..I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth..."
"I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;"
Looking around today - just how many "fools" and "liars" are there who are calling themselves preachers? Are you one of them?
May God Bless His Word.
Know That You Will Answer To God For It
"I believe in preaching without compromise against sin." - Franklin Graham
How is it possible to preach without compromise against sin in the midst of a people who always want to hear the positive or have their ears tickled with lies, "sweet talk," and flattering words?
Consider the following Scriptural directives -
1. Determine To Tell The Truth No Matter What The Cost
2 Corinthians 12:6 - "..I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth..."
2 Corinthians 7:14 "...I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth..."
Speak nothing but...say everything in...strictly confine yourself to...mention nothing but that which is according to the simple truth. At no time, allow foolish boasting or practice any disguise. Let others find your promises, commands, and expectations to always be realized.
2. Know That You Will Answer To God For It
1 Timothy 2:7 - "Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity."
2 Corinthians 6:7 - "By the word of truth..."
The Apostle Paul testified that he was set, placed, appointed, and set apart as a herald or announcer of the Gospel. His God-given commission was to preach the Good News faithfully and truly - in faith and truth - making known the simple truth - while at no time running before being sent, speaking that which he did not receive from God, or corrupting it with false mixtures of man's wisdom or philosophies.
He took this commission very seriously by making it a solemn oath to always be found testifying "the truth in Christ, and lying not."
3. At All Times Avoid Being Unscrupulous Or Dishonest
2 Corinthians 4:2 - "But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."
Those ministers who resolve to preach without compromise against sin must bid farewell to any "smooth" or "slick talk" or the twisting and corrupting of the Truth in order to please their audiences. They must determine in their hearts before God and men that they will always use plainness of speech - making obvious to all - their stand on the Holy Scriptures.
4. Never Forget - Speaking The Truth Will Cost You Something
Galatians 4:16 - "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?"
2 Corinthians 6:8 - "...as deceivers, and yet true."
Some people will actually regard you as a "deceiver" because you tell the truth - because you speak a language that they are not used to hearing. They have sat under the teaching of "slick talking" preachers for so long that when you come along preaching and teaching the Truth, they account you as an imposter.
Others will consider you as their enemy because you acquaint them with their faults and follies. These who love to be flattered will shrink back from any exposure of their sinful ways. They would rather treat you coldly, cut off your acquaintance, or label you as an enemy rather than face the truth about themselves and change.
You can preach without compromise against sin and you must.
Read what several commentaries had to say about this subject.
Barnes' Notes - "Christianity is open, plain, straightforward. It has no alliance with cunning, and trick, and artifice. It should be defended openly, stated clearly, and urged with steady argument. It is a work of light and not of darkness."
"The object of the appointment of the Christian ministry is to make known the truth..."
Adam Clarke - "Faithfully and truly, preaching the TRUTH, the whole TRUTH, and nothing but the TRUTH; and this fervently, affectionately, and perseveringly."
Matthew Henry - "Ministers may sometimes create enemies to themselves by the faithful discharge of their duty; for this was the case of Paul, he was accounted their enemy for telling them the truth. Yet ministers must not forbear speaking the truth, for fear of offending others and drawing their displeasure upon them."
And lastly, read the comment found in Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary -"A person with pure motives and real friendship does not always say things that are pleasant to hear. Paul was telling the truth, and as a result was being labeled as their enemy. Sometimes the truth hurts, but a faithful friend would courageously confront another."
Franklin Graham, the son of the world-renowned evangelist Billy Graham, openly stated - "I believe in preaching without compromise against sin."
As a minister of the Gospel, what do you believe? Or as a member of a particular congregation, what do you expect of your Pastor?
Preach the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth - "fervently, affectionately, and perseveringly. " Are you doing that?
The Apostle Paul boldly declared - "..I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth..."
"I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;"
Looking around today - just how many "fools" and "liars" are there who are calling themselves preachers? Are you one of them?
May God Bless His Word.