Preaching

I came across this quote from Al Mohler about preaching. "If there is no controversy in your ministry, there is probably very little content in your preaching."

I hate conflict and controversy. Can't we all just get along? The answer to that question is simply, "No." And the reason is just as simple: we are bent on fulfilling our own needs without much regard to others.

My ministry leadership calling is to lead Christians to be disciple-makers. My job is to do it at Cross Road Baptist Church. One platform I have is preaching to those who attend our services.

The Bible is overflowing with information. It's easy to find the "Thou shalt" and "Thou shalt not" passages but even greater than these is the constant message of God's holiness, our sinfulness, and Jesus' sacrifice that makes possible our reconciliation to God. Along the way we read that salvation is God's work; we can only accept or reject it but we cannot accomplish it. Then we read that Christians do have a responsibility for the way we live.

Millions, maybe even billions, of people have misunderstood this to mean that you must do something to earn God's favor and forgiveness. But it's just the opposite. You can do nothing to earn his favor. Because he has shown grace and mercy to us we are to live as grateful recipients by honoring him with our lives. No, we are not saved by our works. Yes, we live a life of good works because he has saved us.

So the rub comes when a preacher speaks the truth to a person or to people who prefer to 1.) work for their own salvation or 2.) not live to honor the Savior. Thus, controversy and conflict.

I hope my aversion to conflict does not quiet my preaching. Then I would be sacrificing the truth to satisfy my own preferences. In James 3:1 the brother of Jesus wrote, "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." If I omit or water down the principles of the Bible I am at great risk. First, I can be ineffective as one called to preach the word. Second, I am at risk of judgment for taking the call to teach lightly.

So the question I face is this: Would I risk being faithful to the Lord in order to be pleasing to the people? Paul told Timothy to steadfastly preach the word even though many would rather hear something less convicting and more pleasing (see 2 Timothy 4:2-4). The preacher should want to please God, who can eternally judge him, rather than man, who can only affect temporal conditions. Maybe this is part of what Paul called "light and momentary troubles" (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Could it be, though, that conflict and controversy can be avenues to peace and maturity? I think so when we deal with them positively. Problems arise (sometimes) because of our spiritual condition. We wage a spiritual battle that is much more difficult than the battles in the physical realm. Tense moments in relationships happen because one or both parties are not in tune with God's Spirit who gives us unity. If we see conflict and controversy as a flashing light alerting us to spiritual issues, and if we address these issues honestly, we can progress in spiritual maturity.

What do you do when you are driving along the highway and come upon flashing lights? Most of us slow down and take a look! What do you do when you are living life and come upon flashing lights warning of a spiritual problem? Don't look away and avoid the warning. The problem will only get worse. Instead, give proper attention to the problem and resolve the conflict or controversy. Otherwise, you'll have a perpetual roadblock keeping you from joy and peace.