Two people playing the same role

Philippians 1:15-18

If these Scriptures had been made into a movie we would see two very different parts playing the same role, and only a few in the church would see or understand the gulf that separate the two.  One of the actors in the movie would have a deep desire to proclaim the truth of the gospel.  The apostle Paul gives a picture of what the church should do in support of the pastor who proclaims the gospel to that local body in 1 Corinthians 9:11-14.  But he goes on to state in verse 16, “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” He goes on in verse 19, to show his heart and his purpose; he becomes a servant of Christ in order to win more of them, not into the local church but into Christ.  When you see a pastor or teacher who is true to teach the Scripture, you will see a man who is a defender of the gospel; one of the best examples of this is found in Galatians 2:11.

Most often this pastor or teacher who models the servant of Christ, will not be on the most invited list of the movers and shakers in the community, in fact, he will often be shunned or even made fun of.  Often, I find that God gives a clear picture through the prophet Isaiah, and this one exposes the unfaithful minister.  “Israel’s watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep.  They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough.  They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, each seeks his own gain.” (Isaiah 56:10-11)  Many of these posers are in our numbers, and the Lord has said to look below the exterior, is the pastor/teacher of your local church a servant of Christ?  Does he lack knowledge or does he stand and proclaim the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Is he more interested in his golf game or whom he knows than in restoring or introducing someone to Christ?  Is he more interested in worldly gain than in the spiritual health of his community?

The apostle Paul in his charge to young Timothy about preaching the word of God had this to say. “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.  (2Timothy 4:1-2)  That is a pastor who has a king and a kingdom to whom he is a servant, he will not be the darling of this world, he will be on their hate list because he speaks against sin, he hates what God hates and loves what God loves.

Down the street in a much larger building you will find this church has a much better program, it is sin friendly and you will go away with an “I can do” attitude.  This is what the apostle Paul had to say about it.  “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” (2Timothy 4:3,4) This prophecy has been fulfilled; you and I are living in such a time.

How can you and I keep from being deceived?  Once more I looked to Paul’s advice to young Timothy.  “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice