The other day I was drinking coffee with my best friend at our favorite local coffee shop. I was reading Paul's letter to the Philippians while he was studying the biblical text (whether in Hebrew or Greek, I remember not). Now, I had read this letter many times of the course of my life, as have most people who were raised in a "Christian" home (I do not put the word "Christian" in quotations to say that may family does not meet that criteria. I do so to ease my conviction of misusing a noun as an adjective). As I was reading, however, I found myself struck by one of the passages and began meditating on Paul's words. Here are the verse that the Holy Spirit struck my heart with.
When I read these words of Paul, I suddenly had recollections of a man in a small town just an hour North of my city. I had been driving through and had stopped at the local grocery store for a drink and was headed on my way. As I was leaving the building I noticed him standing on the far side of the parking lot with a book in his hand and he was yelling out into the parking lot. He had no one in particular that he was speaking too directly, and the book in his hand was obviously a Bible. He yelled out one of the most passionate "hell-fire and brimstone sermons" that I have heard to date and he would not stop. My initial attitude toward him was not one of awe, compassion, or respect. In fact I found myself rather angry at him for his choice of methods for preaching the gospel. In my mind it was a misrepresentation of Christ, even though nothing he said was actually false, but it weighed more on the element of fear and emotion to entice people to seek a "fire-escape" Savior. It was not a sermon preached with love and compassion...but with a fierce anger.
God, however, stepped in and has offered me a firm, yet gentle, rebuke through the writing of one of His greatest servants. Paul's words rang in my mind over and over like the sound of church bells echoing through a city. Paul makes it clear that he doesn't care whether they are preaching in love or with selfishness, as long as Christ is being proclaimed to the lost! Ultimately, we know that those who preached out of selfishness will have to answer for their actions, but what matters above all else is that Christ is glorified among the the sinners of the World!
So how many other people have I looked upon with pride and arrogance because they did not have the complexity of doctrine and training that I've had? How many times have I grieved the Holy Spirit because of my foolishness, instead of looking at my fellow believers with love and compassion? I have not changed in my disapproval of that man choice of methodology, but instead I take heart and am now praising God that he is being used to spread the Gospel regardless of how he is doing it. As long as the truth being taught, and the Gospel not perverted, then what wrong method is there?
Astounding! A lot of times in the church we find ourselves arguing and debating over frivolous things, such as sprinkling vs. fully emerging baptisms, KJV vs. modern translations, cultural equivalency vs. ignoring culture, etc. etc. etc. As for me, I often find myself being overly critical of actions being taken within the Church. "Is that biblical?", "Are your intentions pure?", "Is this being led by a manipulator?", "What are the consequences of what you just said in your sermon?" These are all good questions in and of themselves, but my heart is rarely in the right place, and I ultimately miss the most important questions of all..."Is God being glorified in the lives of men?" and "Is it advancing the Kingdom?" These two question are far more important than anything else.Philippians 1:12 I want you to know, brothers,[e] that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard[f] and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word[g] without fear.15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
God, however, stepped in and has offered me a firm, yet gentle, rebuke through the writing of one of His greatest servants. Paul's words rang in my mind over and over like the sound of church bells echoing through a city. Paul makes it clear that he doesn't care whether they are preaching in love or with selfishness, as long as Christ is being proclaimed to the lost! Ultimately, we know that those who preached out of selfishness will have to answer for their actions, but what matters above all else is that Christ is glorified among the the sinners of the World!
So how many other people have I looked upon with pride and arrogance because they did not have the complexity of doctrine and training that I've had? How many times have I grieved the Holy Spirit because of my foolishness, instead of looking at my fellow believers with love and compassion? I have not changed in my disapproval of that man choice of methodology, but instead I take heart and am now praising God that he is being used to spread the Gospel regardless of how he is doing it. As long as the truth being taught, and the Gospel not perverted, then what wrong method is there?
Interesting post, stephen. To answer your last question: yes, there is, or I should say are, correct or more correct methods. I do not believe it was paul's intention for us to ignore proper protocol and procedure, if I may use that language, when preaching the Gospel. Although there is much to be said and discussed about this passage and your thought in general, the 2 main thoughts that come to my mind are: one, is paul merely stating his opinion verses teaching didactic truth? Two, are certain methods more conducive to reception of the gospel? Let's talk more about this later. Interesting post though. Cheers
ReplyDeleteGood points, Matt. I'm not denying at all that there methods that are "more correct" than others by any means, but ultimately the question is that "is there there a 'wrong' method to presenting the Gospel?" The problem is identifying what methods do and do not represent the Gospel. I would not be the kind of person who would take tracks around door to door for people to read, but is it wrong? Well it represents the Gospel and generally in a truthful and unique way. My problem, however, it that it is impersonal and often focusing on a less grace-filled perspective. In the end I can't say it is a wrong method, just not the most correct. I think Paul isn't excusing their actions, but he is taking on the perspective that ultimately Christ is being preached to the masses and that's more important that their hearts are completely in line with the Holy Spirit.
ReplyDeleteI should be upset of the rivalries between the Baptists and the Pentecostals fighting to have the highest attendance, but ultimately I should rejoice in the advancement of the Kingdom and trust God to do a work in their hearts and help bring truth and unity to His people by the transforming work of His Spirit and by the prophets He raises up in the Church. Though sadly I have found that most prophets are extremely biased toward the Pentecostals lol.