| January 10, 1999 |
Vol. I, No. 37
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As Christians we never reach the point where we are completely satisfied with the accomplishments of the past. However, when the whole congregation is working together as it should, we can feel that we are making much progress. Many times a congregation realizes that it is not accomplishing nearly so much as it is capable of doing. Eight times out of ten the preacher is blamed for the lack of progress. (And sometimes it is his fault). Elders and members often think that the best thing to do in such a case is to "fire" the preacher. I will agree with them that such should be done. "How should it be done?" It is the purpose of this article to point out how to "fire" your preacher. But when I use the term "fire," I do not mean "to get rid of." Many times the need is to "fire" the preacher INSTEAD of getting rid of him. "Fire" him with new zeal and determination to do more for the cause of Christ. Engender within him the desire to work harder and more profitably in the saving of souls. How can this be done?
The first thing I suggest is this: "Sit in the preacher's place." Look at the work from the preacher's point of view. Try to realize the great and solemn charge that is given him. "Preach the word" (2 Tim. 4:2). Remember that if he should fail to warn the wicked of his way, his blood would be required, Ezek. 3:18. Or should he fail to warn a righteous man who turns to iniquity, it would also be required, Ezek. 3:20. By understanding these principles, you can see why it is necessary that a preacher teach on certain things. Too many times all of us (preachers included) look at things only from our own point of view. Each of us needs to sit in the other fellow's place and see things as he sees them. In the words of Ezekiel, "I sat where they sat." By applying this principle in the work of the church, we can understand and appreciate one anther's place and work in life. So, look at the Lord's work from the preacher's viewpoint. It will help you to "fire" him.
When a preacher teaches something that is false or when he is failing to preach the whole counsel of God, he certainly should be corrected by the church. Firm discipline should be applied. On the other hand, when he is preaching the gospel, the church should stand squarely behind him, giving him all the help and encouragement possible. This is sure to help and "fire" him with more zeal and determination. You can show that you are backing him by bringing your friends and neighbors to hear the gospel proclaimed. The church member who never brings others to hear the gospel preached is hindering the cause. However, this person is not hindering the cause so much as the one who apologizes to the visitors for the truth's being preached. When a preacher tells his audience what the Bible teaches, you should never be guilty of saying, "I don't think he should have preached that." Remember, anything other than the truth is error; the person who does not obey the truth is lost. So, "fire" your preacher by standing firmly behind him.
Another sure way to "fire" your preacher is to do personal work teaching yourselves. To see members of the church doing personal work is one of the most encouraging things there is to the preacher. Also, why not invite the preacher into your home to talk with your friends about the Bible? You can "fire" the preacher immensely by introducing him to people who are capable of being taught the gospel. We often hear it said that comparatively few will hear the gospel today. The preacher works hard preparing lessons to present, yet but few attend. Many times this is the fault of the congregation instead of the preacher. Yes, you can fire" him by doing personal work.
One of the most discouraging sights to any gospel preacher is to see members of the church indifferent in regard to spiritual things. These brethren are not interested in the church's growth. They care so little for the services that they seldom attend. They become worldly minded and sinful. Elders and faithful members can often do more to wake up and restore such members than the preacher can do. You can help "fire" your preacher by waking up the church.
The Scriptures teach plainly in regard to the preacher's right to material support. "What soldier ever serves at his own charges? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not the fruit thereof? Or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?" (1 Cor. 9:7). "Even so did the Lord ordain that they that proclaim the gospel should live of the gospel" (1 Cor. 9:14). As suggested at the beginning of the article, you need to sit in the preacher's place. By doing so you will see what his financial needs are. Then, make sure that he has them. Brethren, it will "fire" the preacher when you pay him. After all, the important thing is cooperation between the church and preacher. Preachers, do your part by preaching the word. Brethren, cooperate with the preacher in every way possible. Pray for him. Instead of "getting rid of" your preacher, why not "fire" him?
--Forrest D. Moyer
"Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had exactly learned of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying, A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; and she would not be comforted, because they are not." (Matt. 2:16ff.).
Here we have figurative language in all its beauty as Matthew paints a terrible tragedy with the words from the prophet Jeremiah concerning the captivity of the Jewish people to Babylon.
McGarvey: "Why these tearful mother in Bethlehem? Because that which Christ escaped remained for His brethren, their children, to suffer. If He would escape death, all His brethren must die. But He died that all His brethren might live. The words here quoted were originally written concerning the Babylonian captivity, Jer. 31:15. Ramah was a town of Benjamin, Josh. 18:25. Jeremiah was carried thither in chains with the other captives, but was there released by order of Nebuchadnezzar, Jer. 40:1; 39:11ff. Here he saw the captives depart for Babylon, and heard the weeping of the poor who were left in the land, 39:10; hence the mention of Ramah as the place of lamentation. He represents Rachel as weeping, because the Benjamites were descendants of Rachel, and perhaps, because the tomb of Rachel was "in the border of Benjamin" and not far away, 1 Sam. 10:2. The image of the ancient mother of the tribe rising from her tomb to weep, and refusing to be comforted because her children were not around her, is inimitably beautiful; and this image so strikingly portrayed the weeping in Bethlehem that Matthew adopts the words of the prophet, and says that they were here fulfilled. It was the fulfillment, not of a prediction, properly speaking, but of certain words spoken by the prophet."
Clarke: "Matthew, ever fond of accommodation, applies these words to the massacre of the children at Bethlehem. They [the words] suitable to describe that event; it was not a prediction."
--Tant Williams, Jr.
In Matt. 8:14-15, the Bible says, "Now when Jesus had come into Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother lying sick with a fever. And He touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she arose and served them." By looking at this context and the accounts found in Mark 1:29-31 and Luke 4:38-39, we learn several interesting facts.
The first thing that comes to mind is to take note of the fact that Simon Peter was a married man. We learn from 1 Cor. 9:5 that he took his wife along with him on his preaching tours. What makes this fact most interesting, perhaps, is the fact that one very large religious group claims that Simon Peter was once the head of their church. They claim that the present head of their religious organization is a direct successor of Simon Peter -- and yet they insist of that so-called successor, and even of lesser church leaders, that they must remain unmarried. They deny them the right to follow Peter's example. This is not only in open contrast to the practice of the apostle Peter, but it also contradicts the precise teachings of the apostle Paul in Titus 1:5-6 and 1 Tim. 3:2-4 that a bishop "MUST be the husband of one wife," and that he must have children.
The miraculous healing of Peter's mother-in-law took place on a Sabbath day after Jesus had taught in the synagogue in Capernaum and healed a demoniac there, Mark 1:21-28. It took place in the home shared by Simon Peter and his brother Andrew.
Another important fact to notice is that when Peter's mother-in-law was healed of her sickness, "immediately she arose and served them" (Luke 4:39). As scholar William Barclay observed, "She clearly regarded herself as 'saved to serve.' He had healed her, and her one desire was to use her new-found health to be of use and of service to Him and to others."
This attitude should likewise be manifested by those who have experienced spiritual healing through forgiveness of sins. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10).
--CRJ
Providence sends food for the birds but does not throw it in the nest.