All through the ages God has raised up preachers. Although the whole church is His unique instrument in the earth He especially sets aside those called "preachers" to birth forth Churches and to steer them into all the will of God. One of the greastest callings in the world is that of the preacher. They are God's mouthpiece. Spurgeon's famous saying has been quoted widely, "If God calls you to preach, don't stoop to become the King of England."
This act of preaching is not just old fashioned, it is most ancient. This was in the mind of God before creation itself. He devised a plan in eternity-past in which He formed all His thoughts, plan's, desires, blessings and revelations into one message. He then chose the means by which He would make known this wonderful plan and message - PREACHING.
I Cor.2:7, "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:" Tit.1:3 "But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;"
This was to be His chosen means. He chose something that man in his carnal natural mind would think is foolish, weak, vulgar and despised. We are told in First Corinthians that there was those who thought that the means of preaching was "foolish" and "weak." More specifically he says that it would be those who "perish" who think this act of preaching and message of the Cross was "foolish." How dangerous to take this invention of God, PREACHING, and to laugh at it, change it, reject it or to replace it.
Sadly most of those who treat preaching like this are inside the church today. How dare the human mind think it can replace it. How dare the human hand touch it. How dare the human heart despise it. How dare the human mouth ridicule it. How dare Christian pens write against it. Beware of those in the Church who despise this chosen means called PREACHING.
2000 years ago this act of preaching was thought foolish - today it is the same. So-called wise men are not satisfied with such simple foolish God-ordained actions like preaching.
2000 years ago this act of preaching was a stumbling block - today it is the same. That is why so many in today's church are removing it to a lesser place or altogether moving it out the door. If sinners dont li
2000 years ago men were thrown in prison and killed because they would not stop preaching - today it is NOT the same. Preachers by the multitudes are lining up to exchange this ancient God-invented and God-given art of preaching for all the latest, newest gimmicks and cheap shows. Why? Because they are ashamed of it.
Where have all the preachers gone? They have gone AWOL. They have left the post and commission given to them by God. His word says "Preach the Word" but they not only stop preaching the written Word of God, they also stop the act of preaching. If they are not scared to depart from the written Word then they certainly will have no fear in leaving the act of preaching.
Isa.3:1-4, “For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water, The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient, The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator. And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.”
Most churches are glad to see the back of old-fashioned Holy Ghost preaching. They are also glad to see the back of ancient preachers - men who have stood faithfully preaching for many years. But God says it is an act of His judgement when prophets, mature men and men of ability in speaking disappear from the Church. In their place He gives them children and babes to be leaders. Such young scaly-wags bring their foolish childish games right into God's House and desecrate holy altars with fun, games and entertainment. This is the sign of God's judgement - eloquent preachers and prophets get replaced by children's entertainment.
Has it not happened in our churches? Yes it has. Where are the preachers? Where are those called of God to PREACH? Where are those who have turned from their own carnal inventions to Gods ordained means of revealing His thoughts and purposes? Today our Bible School's are turned into training grounds for the promotion of the social gospel, for acting out mimes - which even Christian's cannot understand - to professionalise worship leaders who become the new fashion leaders of the youth, and for Bible illiterate leaders!
Where are the preachers? What Bible School today can produce preachers? Why is there such a down playing of preaching in the church today? Be assured, once more the Lord is going to bypass this circus which the church has become and raise up some untrained eloquent preacher who will be prophets to this generation.
If you are a true God-called Preacher reading this, I want to tell you that you are a very rare bred in these days. I really want you to see that nothing has changed in 2000 years. Woe to you if you shun this act of preaching! Woe to you if you become influenced by unsanctified children who have invaded the church! Woe to you if you are ashamed to open your mouth and to cry aloud!
For 2000 years God has ordained PREACHING as the means. Nothing else. Do you honestly think that this present generation knows better than God Himself, His Word and 2000 years of Christian Preaching? Beware lest you be a child-prince or baby-ruler of God's judgement in a Laodicean Church. But if you are a young man who against all inability feels the fire of God shut up in your bones, and the zeal of God consuming your heart, Praise God, Answer the call of God that He may Revive His Church once more. This is the greatest of callings.