Thursday, May 28, 2009
What Can A Preacher Do?
A preacher can do much to contend for the faith by his preaching, teaching and his influence by taking a stand. In the book "Old Landmarkism: What Is It?" by J. R. Graves, page 141, "A looser sentiment and practice commence to prevail through the influence of those ministers, who loved the praise of men more than that of God." Graves, p. 152, "Thousands are preaching today with no other ambition than to build up large churches, and to gain an enviable reputation." We should "advocate the presentation and enforcement of some one of our distinctive...principles or doctrine in every sermon," (Graves, p. 158). Through this method "the church...will be gradually indoctrinated," (Graves, p. 158). How many sermons have you heard in MB churches that would have pleased any Protestant if they had heard it? How many have you preached with so little doctrinal truth that everyone loved them? If we preach sin, salvation, Heaven, Hell, judgment, the church, missions, giving, church discipline and closed communion with a clear commitment to doctrinal purity, God's people in His churches will be influenced to remain strong in the faith. When churches get feel good or pop psychology sermons over the long term, they lose their doctrinal identity and soon find nothing wrong with practicing like the Protestants. What can a preacher do? Contend for the faith. God help us to do more.
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While I agree we should not water down our doctrines, and I also preach sin and salvation, Heaven and Hell in nearly every message, and I also preach sermons specifically about "judgment, the church, missions, giving, church discipline and closed communion." I have two questions, however.
ReplyDeleteDo you think perhaps some sermons may not fit closed communion, church discipline and missions into then? After, as preachers, we are to expound on the texts we read in and only in context. When we begin throwing in other teachings, it takes away from our text (the Word of God we just read.) In other words, preaching closed communion when you are preaching a message about Hell is running a rabbit away from your text scripture (taking away from the Word instead of expounding upon it.)
Second, I have a question concerning the word "distinctive" Mr. Graves uses. I understand that what sets us apart is important, and so I do preach sermons concerning these subjects. But is not the entire Word of God important? If a church is hating each other and failing to witness, is not a message about loving more timely and needed? If the church is doing church discipline fine, but there is much sexual immorality, would this not be a better subject? In other words, aren't we supposed to preach the ENTIRE counsel of God, not just missionary Baptist Distinctives? I've heard for so long that newer Sunday School literature is somehow taking away from God's Word, because it doesn't focus on certain things. I'd say EVERY Sunday School book doesn't focus on certain things. Every book (ABA included) will leave out certain things b/c it doesn't have the time to cover the entire counsel of God's Word. So if our teenagers are having drug and sex addictions, it may be more important to focus on THIS part of God's Word at the moment than it is to teach them about the foreign mission policy part of God's Word. Just because one teaches different parts of God's Word doesn't mean they are neglecting His Word.
I agree. How can we expect our people to learn why they are Baptist, what sets Baptists apart, why we practice what we do, and why they should be Baptists, if we don't preach on it.
ReplyDeleteBaptists have a target on their back, and almost every group out there works to convert Baptists to their organizations, and they do so by telling lies (like Baptists don't believe in the Holy Spirit, or Baptists require Baptism for salvation... lies) to do so. Our people need to be tuaght so they can defend themselves against those assaults.
I was not referring to chasing rabbits - but using the text to declare whatever doctrine is in it. There's nothing wrong with doctrinal distinctives - it does not take away from the Word of God, it just serves as an identity. BTW, a church is not doing church discipline well if there is a lot of lost of sexual imorality among the teenagers. I was advocating peaching the whole counsel of God.
ReplyDeleteBro. James Charles, do you have something against Mr. Graves or his book?
ReplyDeleteEvery sermon does not have to have every doctrine. Each message from the Bible will have at least one in a reasonable length text. Include in each sermon the doctrine that lies within the text.
ReplyDeleteNo, I don't even know Mr. Graves, though from some of the things I've read of his, I like many of his viewpoints and much of his teachings. I just have a problem with reading after or listening to someone, and then only responding to the parts to which I disagree. The parts I agree with, I just overlook. This is most likely why most people think I am way out in left field, when I am probably a very strict conservative in the eyes of most.
ReplyDeleteConcerning sexual immorality (notice I never said teenagers), it could be among visitors or those who wish to join the church. By the way, I see where you got this point from. It is funny that when I wrote it, I didn't even realize I put "discipline" right next to immorality. LOL.
Anyway, I just have a tendency to analyze everything I read, and then if I have a chance to respond, let the writer know with which parts I disagree. I've been told some the "seeing the negative" writings thing is just a critical spirit on my part, while others including a seminary professor strongly encouraged picking apart everything I read. I guess I could improve myself by not pointing it out to the writers and authors.
I also notice my beginning statement of "while I agree" is very much dwarfed by the rest of my writing. Since you said you agree we shouldn't chase rabbits, I suppose we are 100% in agreement on this subject. By the way, just so you know, I have planned for this school year an alternating lesson plan of the 21 doctrinal statements and a lesson series concerning things students face in high school, and evangelism. I plan on alternating week to week, such as: Doctrinal statement 1, Something you face, Evangelism, Doctrinal Statement 2, etc. etc. etc. It should fill up all of next school year and even into next summer.
Thanks, Bro. I think we are in agreement.
ReplyDeleteDon't know if I've ever told you, but I am not ashamed to say I respect you highly, and your opinions. You often make good points that give me cause to pause, and reflect. I've changed my mind on a few things because of points you and others like you have made. On other things, I have decided "I'm not yet sure enough to take a strong stand," and still other views I've restudied and strengthened. These are all because of you, and I appreciate all the writing you've done for our work, for being a great friend and brother in the ministry, and for helping me personally. Keep up the good work in the LORD, even if we don't always agree on every minor detail.
ReplyDeleteHere is my new blog address
ReplyDeletehttp://bigjblogosphere.blogspot.com
I am in a hurry so I won't post much...I think we should just keep things simple...preach the Word of God and the God of the Word will take care of the other things...preach the whole counsel of God and provide our people with the best spiritual diet we can.