A church was in need of a preacher. One of the elders was interested in finding out just what kind of a preacher the church wanted. In order to do this, he composed a letter as though it had been received from a preacher and read it to the committee selecting a new preacher. The letter read like this:
“Gentlemen:
Understanding that you need a
preacher, I would like to apply for the position. I have many qualifications
that I think you would appreciate. I have been blessed to preach with power and
have some success as a writer. Some say that I am a good organizer. I have been
a leader in most places I have gone.
Some folks, however, have some
things against me. I am over fifty years of age. I have never preached in one
place for more than three years at a time. In some places I have left town after
my work caused riots and disturbances. I have to admit that I have been in jail
three or four times, but not because of any wrongdoing. My health is not too
good, though I still get a good deal done. I have had to work at my trade to
help pay my way.
The churches I have preached in
have been small, though located in several large cities. I have not gotten along
too well with the religious leaders in different towns where I have preached,
and I am sure that they will not recommend me. In fact, some of them have
threatened me, taken me to court, and even attacked me physically. I am not too
good at keeping records. I have been known even to forget whom I have baptized.
However, if you can use me, I shall do my best for you, even if I have to work
to help with my
support.”
The elder
read this letter to the committee and asked if they were interested in the
applicant. They replied that he would never do for their church. They were not
interested in any unhealthy, troublemaking, contentious, ex-convict; and were
insulted that his application had ever been presented! But one of them did ask
the preacher’s name, and the elder replied, “The Apostle Paul.” – Selected
[Edited, and widely circulated in church bulletins and publications in the 50’s.]
McGarvey Quote
By Larry Ray Hafley
Like all other classes of men, preachers can be notorious troublemakers. Sometimes though, like Elijah of old, they are falsely accused of it. Wicked Ahab said to Elijah, “Art thou he that troubleth Israel” (1 Kgs. 18:17)? The very fact that unrest and contention follows the preaching of the gospel does not necessarily prove that the preacher is at fault. J.W. McGarvey recognized this. Said he:
“The fact that angry excitement
follows the preaching of a certain man...is no proof...that the preaching is
improper, either in matter or manner. When men are willing to receive the
truth, and to reject all error, the preaching of the gospel can have none but
peaceful and happy effects. But otherwise, it still brings ‘not peace but a
sword,’ and is the ‘savor of death unto death.’ The apostolic method
was to fearlessly preach the truth, and leave the consequences with God and the
people” (J.W. McGarvey,
Original Commentary On Acts, p. 215
Paul was widely regarded as
“a pestilent fellow,” as a member of a “sect that is
everywhere spoken against,” and as one that troubled entire cities,
turning “the world upside down” (Acts 16:20; 17:6; 24:5; 28:22).
While it is true that violence, civil strife, and riots often occurred following
his preaching, he was not the cause of it. The same is true today. Therefore,
let us not conclude that because a certain preacher is mired in controversy that
the fault is all his own. – Selected
One Preacher Advises
Another
By Greg Gwin
An older preacher was giving some advice and counsel to a younger one. His own preaching work had been marred by several incidents where folks had rejected his teaching, opposed him publicly and caused him a fair amount of grief and hardship. Still, though, he continued to proclaim the truth, and he encouraged his young friend to do the same.
He warned the young man that there would be times when his preaching would not be well received. People would not like to hear “hard” preaching. They would prefer to listen to things that were more pleasant and less demanding. Teachers that played to their whims and fancies would be more popular. More “positive” and less “negative” preaching would be their wish, and they would insist that it be so.
But despite all this, the older preacher urged the younger one to press on with his work. It wouldn’t always be easy, but it was ultimately important.
Who were
these two preachers? Where and when was this advice given from the older to the
younger? It could have been almost anywhere and anytime, but we have reference
to the encouragement penned by the apostle Paul to the evangelist Timothy. Some
of the final words Paul ever wrote were these: “Preach the word; be
instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering
and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching
ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned
unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of
an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry” (2 Tim. 4:2-5). –
Collegevue church of Christ Bulletin, May 7, 2017
Convenient Preaching
By Robert Harkrider
Convenient
Preaching Christians are being tried and tested for their love of truth. Many
are courageously standing for that which they know to be right, while others,
not studying the Bible for themselves, are swept away by the pleasant and fair
speeches of teachers and preachers who seek only to scratch itching ears with
“great swelling words, showing respect of persons for the sake of advantage”
(Jude 16, ASV). Myriad of Christians are confusing the difference between
convictions and conveniences. They conveniently stand for doctrine which is most
popular, receiving the “praise of men,” rather than standing for
doctrine of Christ by conviction, being rewarded with the “praise of God”
(Jn. 12:43). Such an attitude is manifested by the failure to teach against
worldliness, looseness and laxity in moral living, and by putting emphasis on
number and size rather than spiritual stature. Many seem afraid to condemn
anything; but stand ready to praise everything. We have watered down our
convictions, sweetened our dispositions, and become so sophisticated with
worldly wisdom and intoxicated with our “place under the sun” of prominence in
the religious world that we stand powerless in the face of error and evil. –
Collegevue church of Christ Bulletin Articles, September 4, 2016