1^st Peter 4:11 “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

     A brother of mine requested that I come and preach alongside of him at the Union Gospel Mission next month.  It is an honor that someone would make that request of me, but I hesitated because of the grave importance of the topic.  Preaching the Word of God is both the most honorable and important thing a person can do, but at the same time it is the most SERIOUS and TERRIFYING thing a person can do.

     When we set ourselves on the stage and proclaim to speak a message on behalf of God, it had BETTER be authorized and dictated by God.  We place men’s souls and eternities in our hands when we speak a message from God.  We are placing their fates in our hands, and directing them on the path they should take.  IF we speak presumptuously.  IF we speak out of turn.  IF we speak OUR OPINIONS, or God forbid, if we speak in error, we risk turning individuals down paths that lead to hell.  Their blood is on OUR hands.

     There is a reason that God said let there be not many teachers.  FOR THEIRS IS THE GREATER CONDEMNATION.  When we stand in the pulpit, men and women EXPECT to hear from God.  If we misrepresent Him or speak what He has not authorized, we place ourselves in grave danger.  It is most terrifying to find yourself in the hands of an angry God!

     So then I started thinking, “Well what about these emails I send out every day?”  Or what about our face book posts, or our street witnessing.  I think there is a very significant difference between these things and standing behind a pulpit.  The intent of street witnessing is to awaken souls to their perilous situation and to point them to Christ.  The point of these letters and posts (for the most part) is to encourage and spur on brothers and sisters to a deeper appreciation of the Word of God and to edify the church body.  But the pulpit is different.  It is the stage from which an individual claims to speak directly for God.  There is no room for error.  There is no room for speculation or opinion.  It is a much more SERIOUS issue than this others things.

     Think about it this way.  The street minister is like a man who sees a burning building full of people.  He is screaming words of warning, “COME OUT, COME OUT, COME OUT!  THE BUILDING IS ON FIRE AND YOU ARE IN GRAVE DANGER!”  The encouraging letters and teaching, are like an individual pointing out to others who have come out of the fire, the beauty and AWESOMENESS of the Rescuer.  He is like one saying, “Look at our Rescuer!  Have you seen this aspect of Him?  Have you learned this characteristic of Him?”  But the preacher in the pulpit (whether he claims it or not) speaks in the place of the Rescuer.  He says, “Thus says the Rescuer.”  He tells us what the Rescuer would have us to do and what direction the Rescuer would have us to walk.  He had BETTER not misrepresent the Rescuer (forgive the poor analogy).

     So, to handle the Word of God from the pulpit is a most terrifying adventure.  IT MUST be saturated in prayer.  IT MUST be guided by the Holy Spirit.  IT MUST be authorized by Jesus Christ.  It is not something we can just take upon ourselves to do.  It is somehow more than warning and teaching.  It is above that.  It is why Pastors are afforded DOUBLE honor.  It is why we read of the old reformers approaching the pulpit shaking in fear and filled with tears.  It is why we read of pastors who had dozens of men and women praying in the boiler room during the service.  And sadly, it is why we have a church in the state it is in now.  Unless the Lord build a house, the labor is in vain.

      A faithful preacher cannot just take it upon himself to preach the Word of God from the pulpit.  He MUST be called.  He MUST be put into action by God Himself.  And the Words spoken cannot just be some intelligent discourse, no matter how true.  It must come from the POWER of the Holy Ghost DICTATING EACH AND EVERY WORD!

 

     So bottom line is this:  When you preach from the pulpit, you are speaking as the Oracle of God.  Misrepresenting Him is a grave mistake.  Speaking words He did not say is a grave mistake.  Adding your opinions and conjectures is a grave mistake.  It is HOLY WORK that a Pastor is called to do.  NOT to be taken lightly.

 

      I will pray diligently to see if the Lord should choose to use me at the Mission next month.  And if He does, I will go forth in fear and trembling with much tears.  And I will BEG God to keep me from all mistakes.  His will be done.