We Do Not Preach Ourselves!"
2 Corinthians 4:5,6
Paul and his associates went forth to make known the Lord Jesus Christ. Avoiding
all dishonest arts and cunning devices, they
renounced the hidden things of shame and did not handle the word of God
deceitfully. They were not preaching themselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord. He
said, "For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves
your servants for Jesus' sake." Let's think in terms of applications:
Preachers are in danger of preaching themselves when ..
1. Their preaching has primary reference to their own
interests. Naturally, as we study the Bible, read, think and experience
life, we will develop areas of special interests. Some may have a special
enthusiasm for "first principles," while other have concerns relating to the
refutation of false doctrines, or some other category of teaching. The
temptation is, to spend an disproportional amount of time preaching on themes we
are interested in. Self-interests eventually becomes the priority factor in
topic decisions, and the problem is two-fold: (1) Self is getting in the way of
sober decisions for all listeners, and (2) Vast areas of needed teaching is
neglected. {See, Acts 20:27; Eph. 4:15; Col. 1:10}. Again, preachers can begin
preaching themselves when . .
2. They engage in it to advance their reputation.
At the time Paul wrote to the Philippians, some were preaching Christ "from
selfish ambition," (Phil. 1:16). While we do not have the ability to peek into
the heart with supernatural discernment, there is
little doubt that some today are empowered by the same motivation. When men
preach "from selfish ambition" and to enhance themselves in the eyes of men, the
ugly symptoms usually come to the surface. The message may be correct, but the
messenger is contaminated by impure motive. Often, these men eventually
discredit themselves and faithful brethren mark and avoid them (Rom. 16:17,18).
Pray for men who are impressed by "the excellence of the knowledge of Christ
Jesus," and who are willing to suffer "the loss of all things," (Phil. 3:8).
Encourage men who have no personal ends to gain. And it should be said,
controversy and militance is a necessary part of preaching the Word, but some
have the wrong aim; there are pre-occupied with showing themselves to be
"strong" and "sound" to please men. Our first aim is not to save our hides,
wound our opponents, or vindicate
our reputation. Preaches can be guilty of preaching self when they preach to . .
3. To secure their own advantage. Similar to the
former, some may undertake full-time preaching to secure their own advantage. I
fear there are a few men who abuse full-time preaching. They develop the ability
to meet the minimum requirements; they constantly "borrow" sermon outlines, and
may be busy near the end of the week trying to throw something together to put
in their
time on Sunday. Of course, the rest of the week there is a lot to do: day-time
TV, errands, work around the house, golf, fishing, selling something, a hobby or
just drinking coffee. These men only hold home Bible studies when they have to;
their class work is characteristic of laziness, and they may try to maneuver
meeting invitations for a nice week-long recess with plenty of food, social
contact and some extra income. I must say - A basic dimension of this problem
is, the brethren who tolerate it!
4. When they aim to exalt themselves, and extend their own
influence; or, promote their own welfare, men preach themselves. All of
us know or have observed a few preachers, who are not ashamed to engage in the
vulgar scramble for the best places; the "chief seats." These egotistical
climbers actively seek to promote themselves, and may justify this as a
necessary part of their
"position" or "influence." Some preachers may entertain this thought {in
essence}: "If I can just get my name before the brethren ..
If I can advance myself just enough so the brethren will see what ability I
have, then I'll be so busy in the work of the Lord, good
will be accomplished and I'll no longer need to promote myself!" Men who are
inclined to think in this direction need a strong dose of Divine medicine; here
are the first four spoonfuls: Luke 14:7-11; 1 Thess. 2:1-12; 2 Cor. 4:5,6; 1 Cor.
15:10 & Rom. 12:3-8. There must be, in every Christian, the mentality and
disposition of a servant! "For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the
Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake." {See also, Matt. 20:27}.
5. When they preach their own opinions, and not gospel
truth. The issue, in regard to individual opinions, has never been, "Do
we have a right to have them?" The point is, while we have a right to maintain
our own individual preferences and opinions, we have no liberty to bind them on
others. When human opinions, preferences and individually-determined policy is
made into divine law, we are preaching ourselves. When compared to the saving
acts of God, the cross of Christ and the revelation of the Holy Spirit, our
opinions amount to futility.
6. When they derive their doctrines from their own reasoning, and not the Bible.
A preacher's wife recently said to me, "I
think some preachers get so 'smart,' they study themselves away from the truth!"
I know what she meant. And I'm afraid some men - instead of telling people what
the Bible says, are telling people how they think, how they reason, how they
arrive at their
conclusions.
Conclusion:
In all these cases there is a single danger we should recognize: Gradually
allowing self to become primary, and the gospel secondary! Will someone argue
that this never happens? Will some bothered reader aver that there is no such
danger? I am wholly convinced that this is one of the problems preachers and
brethren need to be aware of and watchful about in our times. Let us go forth
together, to make known the Lord Jesus Christ, avoiding all dishonest arts,
cunning devices, selfish ambitions and lazy attitudes. Preacher! Your task is to
close the gap between what people need, and what God's Word offers!
By Warren E. Berkley
Front Page
From Expository Files 10.7; July 2003
