The Test of A True Preacher
And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power. I Cor. 2:1-5
What is the test of an authentic preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? How do you know if someone has the true calling of God on his or her life? How do you know which Pastor to sit under for your spiritual nourishment so that your soul will not be led astray? The above passage gives us an insight into those who can be called true servants of God.
Frankly, these are days when everything except the truth of God's word is being proclaimed from many pulpits. Some pastors are preaching all kinds of messages to flatter people and satisfy their itching ears. Some pastors are afraid that preaching the truth of God's word will be offensive to people and they might leave the Church. So they have resorted to preaching with eloquence and human wisdom. They simply do not bother to preach the Scripture let alone take time to depend on the power of the Holy Spirit. They preach to entertain and placate.
Paul gives us the test of a true Preacher of the Gospel:
First: True preaching is not dependent on human eloquence or wisdom. The testimony of true preaching is not about human accomplishments but about God. Human eloquence and wisdom cannot save or transform lives. Human wisdom is as hollow as the human vessel from which it comes. If a preacher is constantly preaching human wisdom and does not emphasize godly wisdom which is the word of God, then that preacher is not worth sitting under or listening to. It is only a matter of time before you are led astray.
Second: True preaching is Christ-centered: "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." The Gospel should always be Christ-centered, never man-centered. The Gospel is the good news that Jesus died to save humanity from our sins and to reconcile us eternally with God in Heaven. Preaching that emphasizes anything other than Christ is bound to lead people astray in the long run. Nothing should replace Christ in our preaching. Jesus promises that if we lift Him up, He will draw all men unto Himself.
Third: True preaching is done in weakness, great fear and trembling. This means the Preacher has no trust in his or her own abilities. The Preacher is keenly aware of his limitations and human inadequacies. He knows that he has nothing to boast of except the grace of God, which gives him the privilege to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Finally: True preaching is totally dependent on the power of God's Holy Spirit so that the hearers will focus on God, not man. True preaching directs people to worship, honor and depend on God, not man. That is the ultimate goal of true preaching.
So, question: Are you under the teachings of a True Preacher of the Gospel? If not, then carefully evaluate your situation. Taking care of your soul is one of the most crucial things you can do for yourself. Only true preaching can nourish your soul and give you the godly wisdom you need for life.
Frankly, these are days when everything except the truth of God's word is being proclaimed from many pulpits. Some pastors are preaching all kinds of messages to flatter people and satisfy their itching ears. Some pastors are afraid that preaching the truth of God's word will be offensive to people and they might leave the Church. So they have resorted to preaching with eloquence and human wisdom. They simply do not bother to preach the Scripture let alone take time to depend on the power of the Holy Spirit. They preach to entertain and placate.
Paul gives us the test of a true Preacher of the Gospel:
First: True preaching is not dependent on human eloquence or wisdom. The testimony of true preaching is not about human accomplishments but about God. Human eloquence and wisdom cannot save or transform lives. Human wisdom is as hollow as the human vessel from which it comes. If a preacher is constantly preaching human wisdom and does not emphasize godly wisdom which is the word of God, then that preacher is not worth sitting under or listening to. It is only a matter of time before you are led astray.
Second: True preaching is Christ-centered: "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." The Gospel should always be Christ-centered, never man-centered. The Gospel is the good news that Jesus died to save humanity from our sins and to reconcile us eternally with God in Heaven. Preaching that emphasizes anything other than Christ is bound to lead people astray in the long run. Nothing should replace Christ in our preaching. Jesus promises that if we lift Him up, He will draw all men unto Himself.
Third: True preaching is done in weakness, great fear and trembling. This means the Preacher has no trust in his or her own abilities. The Preacher is keenly aware of his limitations and human inadequacies. He knows that he has nothing to boast of except the grace of God, which gives him the privilege to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Finally: True preaching is totally dependent on the power of God's Holy Spirit so that the hearers will focus on God, not man. True preaching directs people to worship, honor and depend on God, not man. That is the ultimate goal of true preaching.
So, question: Are you under the teachings of a True Preacher of the Gospel? If not, then carefully evaluate your situation. Taking care of your soul is one of the most crucial things you can do for yourself. Only true preaching can nourish your soul and give you the godly wisdom you need for life.
Prayer: Father, these are days when many are declaring anything but Your true word. Please help me to discern what I hear so that I will not be led astray by deceptive preaching. Amen.