Articles

Preaching To Please

Written by Frank Jamerson.

Paul asked the Galatians: “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10). All preaching is designed to please either God or men. Preaching that is designed to please God, may also please men, which is wonderful. Preaching that is designed to please men, never pleases God and is tragic, because it deceives men into thinking that they are pleasing God when they have not heard the truth.

Many want to hear teaching that they agree with, teaching that will not demand any change in their lives. Paul described those as “having itching ears” and they “heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Tim. 4:3,4).

Those who do not understand the importance of truth enjoy hearing those who teach that “one faith is as good as another.” If that is true, then no faith is as good as any faith. Think about it—if it is not necessary to believe the truth, is it necessary to believe error?

They also enjoy hearing the doctrine that obedience to the gospel of Christ is not necessary, but if a person lives a good life, he will be saved. This makes man is own “savior.” The truth says that Christ is “the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Heb. 5:9). Jesus, Himself, said “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Mt. 7:21).

Too often, brethren want to hear preaching that pleases men, rather than that which pleases God. They are offended by teaching against religious errors or immoral practices. Paul told Timothy to, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.  Convince, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Tim. 4:2).  “In season” means when it is convenient, when people like it, and “out of season” means when it is inconvenient, when people do not like it.  Most preachers do not enjoy preaching things that people do not like, but we must learn that we cannot please everyone anyone, so just seek to  please God, and hope that some men will also be pleased with that. Paul asked the Galatians, “Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16). It is bad when men become your enemy, but it is worse to have God as an enemy!

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