The life-giving preacher is a man of God, whose heart is ever athirst for God, whose soul is following hard after God, whose eye is single to God, and in whom by the power of God’s Spirit the flesh and the world have been crucified; his ministry is like the generous flood of a life-giving river. Life-giving preaching costs the preacher much—death to self, crucifixion to the world, the travail of his own soul. Only crucified preaching can give life. Crucified preaching can come only from a crucified man.
~Edward McKendree Bounds (1835-1913)
When he went to Ziklag, those of Manasseh who defected to him were Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu, and Zillethai, captains of the thousands who were from Manasseh. And they helped David against the bands of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor, and they were captains in the army. For at that time they came to David day by day to help him, until it was a great army, like the army of God…. Three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David at the cave of Adullam, when the army of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then at Bethlehem. And David said longingly, “Oh that someone would give me water to drink from the well of Bethlehem that is by the gate!” Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and took it and brought it to David. But David would not drink it. He poured it out to the LORD and said, “Far be it from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the lifeblood of these men? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men.
~ from 1 Chronicles 11 and 12
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHGGGGGGGGG!!!
Oh beloved, it is true. There is a time for anger. Even our Captain turned over a few tables and kicked some ass when the honor of His Father was at stake.
Warning to those preachers who are joining the path to syncretism: If you want to honestly deal away the gospel; if you want to fight it, disagree with it, dismiss it or abandon it – fine. This writer (and preacher) both respects – and will defend with his very life – your right to take a contrary position. However, (enter the anger) do not ever (read freekin’ ever) present a mockery of my Captain as though it is some sort of preaching or “ministry opportunity.”
When we present comedic video that turns Jesus into some sort of bozo, or boozer, or charlatan or magician – we mock the very Word who spoke our world into existence.
When we use the pulpit as a veiled platform to promote some fashionable social trend, we subvert both the purpose and the expressed preferences of the One who made the overarching social contract in which we live.
When we turn congregations into dens for thievery, we steal from the very children of the One we are supposedly leading in worship.
There are some of us who will, by His grace, stand against such foolishness. We will, like the mighty and valorous men of David, defend the honor of our King.
We, like these desert warriors of the past, will willingly spend ourselves for the glory and honor of our Captain. The only answer we have on our lips in response to Him? Yes. And Yes with a surefooted givenness to His call on our lives.
Even if, in His wisdom, He chooses to pour us out like the water He would not consume in honor of our service – we will go to the place where He would pour us out; and we will do it promptly and with a song on our lips.
We are the armed forces of the body of Christ. We are the ones who have already declared His Word completely true and reckoned ourselves dead – that He alone might live His Life in us and through us.
Now, surely, Jesus has the funniest sense of humor ever! And just as surely, He is not angry AT the one who is mocking His person or His presence. He simply loves – and since it is Him living and loving through us – we are not angry AT the person. We are, however, livid that a supposed preacher of the gospel would use any opportunity to preach, and then waste it on something that does not magnify the One about whom the gospel is spoken.
Let’s make this simple: would we tolerate a parent feeding intentionally-tainted milk to a baby?
Let us contend for the honor of our King.
Let us attract persons to His Person.
Let us use our G_d-given platforms as the stewards we are.
Let us manifest His Love for us – and our love for Him – in our lives.
Let us, like the ultra-powerful beings around His throne, ever echo the WOW of holy, holy, holy in our preaching.
Let us, like His Word says, bow our knees before our King and confess Him as KING of KINGS and LORD of LORDS. And let us do it now, voluntarily, not waiting until that Day.
An entry like this too strong for your tastes? G_d bless you. And, too bad. This fool will stand for the honor of his Captain and King. And all of us will bend the knee on that Day.
