PREACH THE WORD OF GOD WITH INTEGRITY!

2 Corinthians 2:16-17: “In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse. This is a terrific responsibility. Is anyone competent to take it on? No—but at least we don’t take God’s Word, water it down, and then take it to the streets to sell it cheap. We stand in Christ’s presence when we speak; God looks us in the face. We get what we say straight from God and say it as honestly as we can.” THE MESSAGE

OBSERVATION: What is the Pastor’s most sacred responsibility? What is the church’s most sacred calling? What do we spend most of our time, money, and attention on? To the Apostle Paul and us, the answer was clear.

It should be the preaching of the Gospel!

The faithful teaching of God’s Word!

I have been in pastoral ministry for over 40 years. When I reflect on these many years of pastoring a local congregation, I realize how much I would change if I had the chance to do it all again. They say hindsight is 20/20. I wish someone my age had taken me aside and challenged my heart in my early days of ministry. Now, looking back, I can see it clearly.

I should have spent more time attending to the Word of God and not to the other less important aspects of ministry.

This was the heart of the Apostles as the church was born. When the church began to grow, when the daily needs of attending to widows and those in need began to increase, the Apostles saw their time and attention slipping away from their number one priority. Something needed to change, and change fast! This is what Acts, chapter six, is all about! The first Deacons were chosen to focus on these tasks so that the Apostles could give themselves to their number one priority!

Acts 6:2-4: “The Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, ‘It would not be right for us to give up preaching the word of God to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation,  full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” CSB

Jesus’ words to Peter after the Resurrection, no doubt, were driving this change of focus. As Jesus lovingly restored Peter, who had denied Him three times, with three divine calls, they all focused on the faithful stewardship of the Word of God to the flock of God, the Church.

John 21:15-17: “When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.” “Feed my lambs,” he told him. A second time, he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me? “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.” “Shepherd my sheep,” he told him. He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me? ” Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me? ” He said, “Lord, you know everything;  you know that I love you.” “Feed my sheep,” Jesus said.” CSB

Feed my lambs.

Shepherd my sheep.

Feed my sheep.

This was the call of Jesus that moved Peter and the Apostles to appoint Deacons to wait on tables and kept Paul focused on proclaiming the Gospel. Jesus made it very clear, “Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God!” (Matthew 4:4) There is no other way to feed God’s sheep than the faithful teaching of God’s Word and the faithful proclamation of the Gospel!

Yet, the Word of God must be taught with integrity!

Integrity is defined as being honest, trustworthy, and one with strong moral principles. Integrity speaks to how we steward the Word of God. We do not proclaim God’s Word lightly or with personal gain in mind. We do not avoid the difficult passages of God’s Word and endeavor to proclaim only what others want to hear, avoiding what we all need to hear. The Message Bible puts it so clearly when it paraphrases II Corinthians 2:16-17.

“In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse. This is a terrific responsibility. Is anyone competent to take it on? No—but at least we don’t take God’s Word, water it down, and then take it to the streets to sell it cheap. We stand in Christ’s presence when we speak; God looks us in the face. We get what we say straight from God and say it as honestly as we can.”

Our stewardship of the Word of God is a matter of life and death. It is the difference between a soul being saved and one that ends up eternally separated from God. This is a call and a responsibility that is so great that Paul cries out,

“This is a terrific responsibility. Is anyone competent to take it on?

Shepherding the flock of God, through the Word of God, is not something one chooses. It is something they are called, by God, to do. It is a holy and solemn responsibility. One that demands the utmost attention, diligence, and integrity. It is a call to be faithful to the Scriptures. We do not water down the truth. We proclaim it in honesty and with passion. We don’t cheapen God’s Word or use it for personal gain. Whenever we open the Bible to teach God’s people,

“We stand in Christ’s presence when we speak; God looks us in the face. We get what we say straight from God and say it as honestly as we can.”

What would happen in our churches if men and women fulfilled their calling so that the Pastor and Leaders of the church could devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word? What would happen if every Pastor saw their calling as a sacred trust to faithfully, with integrity, proclaim the whole counsel of God? What if people came to church hungry, with their Bibles, and followed faithfully as God’s Word was taught verse by verse and chapter by chapter?

Revival is when our hearts are turned from everything superfluous to that which is necessary. In every story of the Bible, when God’s people turned to His Word, revival took place. If our revival is focused only on worship, we will have a momentary emotional lift that will not last. However, if, through sincere prayer, our hearts are turned to God’s Word, we will experience true repentance, revival, and a harvest of souls.

Are you a pastor? Then, please hear the heart of one who has walked before you and sees the hours that were misdirected and should have been spent being devoted to prayer and the ministry of the Word. Are you one of God’s flock? Then pray and ask – “How can I help my Pastor and my Leaders so they can devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word?”

Finally, hear the words of Jesus like you are hearing them for the very first time.

Feed my lambs.

Shepherd my sheep.

Feed my sheep.

Let us answer the call of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Let us do so with honesty, integrity, by the grace of God, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us…

“...Stand in Christ’s presence when we speak; God looks us in the face. We get what we say straight from God and say it as honestly as we can.”

In Jesus’ Name!