On the reality show Preachers of L.A. one of the younger preachers admitted that he
has fathered a child out of wedlock and is living together with the mother, but not
married. He said to the Elder on the show, "Show Me In the Bible Where
Shacking Up or Living Together Is A Sin". My sentiments to his remark.
YOU CAN’T EDIT THE BIBLE TO BE RELEVANT IN JUSTIFYING A SIN; IF SO YOU HAVE
MISUNDERSTOOD THE AUTHOR’S INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO LIVE YOUR LIFE.
A friend of mine shared his description of the show so eloquently in a more realistic view. This is his comment I wrote in red letters.
My Thoughts on biblical teachings.
A friend of mine shared his description of the show so eloquently in a more realistic view. This is his comment I wrote in red letters.
My Thoughts on biblical teachings.
Modern preachers would do well to revisit regularly the sobering words of
Matthew 23, where Jesus unleashes scathing words of disapproval upon the
hypocritical teachers of his day. He
acknowledges the Pharisees are dispensing truth (v.3), but He quickly points
out that their lives do not match their words of truth.
To the teachers of the Bible, Jesus raises the ultimate question regarding the extent of one's hypocrisy: are you truly saved? And though most of their teachings was accurate and could lead their hearers on the right path (v.2), their pattern of behavior, if replicated, would lead others to destruction. So severe was the breech between their words and their lives that Jesus charged the Pharisees hadn't even appropriated their teachings most basic and urgent tenet. They were not on their way to the kingdom of heaven, but rather they were excluded from it.
"You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you not steal? You say, "Do not commit adultery," do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? For "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." as it is written. (Rom. 2:21-24.
Jesus showed little tolerance for the teacher who failed to do what He was telling others to do.
The personal life of the preacher is the foundation upon which his every sermon stands. He certainly cannot expect to be used of God to change lives if his own life is questionable and controversial. The New Testament's emphasis on the character requirements of those entrusted with teaching responsibilities should be ample proof of this (1 Tim. 3; Titus 1), yet it is far from the only proof. If you are to preach the life-changing sermons, you must be able to say with 1 Corinthians 11:1, "imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. " That is why Paul tells the young preacher to "watch your life and doctrine closely" (1 Tim. 4:16 NIV).
Is there a thirst for the spotlight among the Preachers of L.A. The Pharisee's prideful quest for recognition and applause is vehemently condemned by Jesus in Matthew 23:5-12. Much like today's preachers, they worked hard to attain their teaching posts. They spent countless hours in schools and took great pains in their studies. They paid their dues at the feet of their professors and labored under the tutelage of demanding instructors. Certainly it's appropriate for people to recognize their achievements. What was the harm in enjoying the plaudits given them or seeking what was rightly theirs? According to Jesus, everything was wrong with it!
Why? Because the love of man's approval quickly degenerates into something far worse, fueling the teacher's hypocrisy on every level. Like the Pharisees, we can easily develop an insatiable appetite for praise, which can lead us to do things in our ministry just to be noticed and exalted. If we look at ourselves as pastors, honestly, we may have to admit that some elements of our messages are more about our reputation than our congregation's transformation and for the Preacher's of L.A. my question is: Have you exchanged the glory of exalting Christ and impacting people for the base goal of exalting yourselves? Self-promotion, without a doubt, will lead God to remove His hand from our preaching ministry. He promised to oppose the proud (James 4:6;1, Pet. 5:5; Prov. 3:34) and He will. He unequivocally vowed to keep His glory from being claimed by His servants (1 Cor. 1:26-31) and He will. When we face the temptation to touch His glory we must recall Jesus' words to the Pharisees: "Whoever exalts himself will be abased, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (v.12). Every generation of preachers needs such a reminder.
Paul was careful to point out to his students that preaching the Word should stimulate the listener to act. His instruction regarding preaching was surrounded with verbs that never let the young preacher lose sight of this goal. In Matthew 18:15 Jesus explains how to point out a brother's sin and move him to change his behavior. Jesus said to "go and tell him his fault (elencho)," that is "go to show him his sin and summon him to repentance. James equates exposure to preaching with a stark reflection of ourselves in a mirror (James 1:22-24). We, as pastors-teachers, need to focus on our call to preach messages that change lives. Our members need to know that we are going to be faithful to that call.
Jesus pointed to several condemnable traits in the lives of the ancient Pharisaical preachers, traits that modern preachers would be wise to note , and wiser to avoid.
THE BIBLE IS NOT SUPPOSED TO READ LIKE A FAIRY TALE–PETER
SAID, “FOR WE HAVE NOT FOLLOWED CUNNINGLY DEVISED FABLES”
( 2 PETER 1:16)
To the teachers of the Bible, Jesus raises the ultimate question regarding the extent of one's hypocrisy: are you truly saved? And though most of their teachings was accurate and could lead their hearers on the right path (v.2), their pattern of behavior, if replicated, would lead others to destruction. So severe was the breech between their words and their lives that Jesus charged the Pharisees hadn't even appropriated their teachings most basic and urgent tenet. They were not on their way to the kingdom of heaven, but rather they were excluded from it.
"You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you not steal? You say, "Do not commit adultery," do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? For "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." as it is written. (Rom. 2:21-24.
Jesus showed little tolerance for the teacher who failed to do what He was telling others to do.
The personal life of the preacher is the foundation upon which his every sermon stands. He certainly cannot expect to be used of God to change lives if his own life is questionable and controversial. The New Testament's emphasis on the character requirements of those entrusted with teaching responsibilities should be ample proof of this (1 Tim. 3; Titus 1), yet it is far from the only proof. If you are to preach the life-changing sermons, you must be able to say with 1 Corinthians 11:1, "imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. " That is why Paul tells the young preacher to "watch your life and doctrine closely" (1 Tim. 4:16 NIV).
Is there a thirst for the spotlight among the Preachers of L.A. The Pharisee's prideful quest for recognition and applause is vehemently condemned by Jesus in Matthew 23:5-12. Much like today's preachers, they worked hard to attain their teaching posts. They spent countless hours in schools and took great pains in their studies. They paid their dues at the feet of their professors and labored under the tutelage of demanding instructors. Certainly it's appropriate for people to recognize their achievements. What was the harm in enjoying the plaudits given them or seeking what was rightly theirs? According to Jesus, everything was wrong with it!
Why? Because the love of man's approval quickly degenerates into something far worse, fueling the teacher's hypocrisy on every level. Like the Pharisees, we can easily develop an insatiable appetite for praise, which can lead us to do things in our ministry just to be noticed and exalted. If we look at ourselves as pastors, honestly, we may have to admit that some elements of our messages are more about our reputation than our congregation's transformation and for the Preacher's of L.A. my question is: Have you exchanged the glory of exalting Christ and impacting people for the base goal of exalting yourselves? Self-promotion, without a doubt, will lead God to remove His hand from our preaching ministry. He promised to oppose the proud (James 4:6;1, Pet. 5:5; Prov. 3:34) and He will. He unequivocally vowed to keep His glory from being claimed by His servants (1 Cor. 1:26-31) and He will. When we face the temptation to touch His glory we must recall Jesus' words to the Pharisees: "Whoever exalts himself will be abased, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (v.12). Every generation of preachers needs such a reminder.
Paul was careful to point out to his students that preaching the Word should stimulate the listener to act. His instruction regarding preaching was surrounded with verbs that never let the young preacher lose sight of this goal. In Matthew 18:15 Jesus explains how to point out a brother's sin and move him to change his behavior. Jesus said to "go and tell him his fault (elencho)," that is "go to show him his sin and summon him to repentance. James equates exposure to preaching with a stark reflection of ourselves in a mirror (James 1:22-24). We, as pastors-teachers, need to focus on our call to preach messages that change lives. Our members need to know that we are going to be faithful to that call.
Jesus pointed to several condemnable traits in the lives of the ancient Pharisaical preachers, traits that modern preachers would be wise to note , and wiser to avoid.
THE BIBLE IS NOT SUPPOSED TO READ LIKE A FAIRY TALE–PETER
SAID, “FOR WE HAVE NOT FOLLOWED CUNNINGLY DEVISED FABLES”
( 2 PETER 1:16)
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