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In Bible-times, the prophets not only "foretold" but "forth told", speaking of what is to come. They called the Israelites back to God and remembrance of the Covenant. The call of a Prophet or Preacher is a perilous occupation. They endured pain and agony. Moses was sent to lead a nation with a stick; Isaiah was called to preach to people who would hear and did not understand. What God demands from us, has nothing to do with Church doctrine, discipline or by-laws. What He desires from us sometimes causes discontent and makes us uncomfortable as the preacher declares what the Lord says in His word. As it was then, so it is now, God call his ministers to preach the word in all honesty, the intention is to act or change our mind set to the word of God.
The predicament of a preacher in the Church is critical because there is spiritual wickedness such as hostility, malice, pretence, gossip, jealousy etc. He or she delivers the word not knowing the condition of anyone, but what the Lord lays on his or her heart, which sometimes makes them unpopular.
The predicament of a preacher prompts to consider:-
a) Authentic preaching is always a product of pain:- In the process of such preaching souls in pain can be healed, broken spirits can be mended, burdens can be lifted at Calvary, and cares for tomarrow can be relieved.
b) Chains are power for preaching:- (Eph. 6:-19-20), asks us to pray. From prayer comes the ability to speak boldly, gives us the right perspective to speak the gospel. Chains will allow us to possess a humble dispostion.
THOUGHT
God blesses His word to those who speak it and those who listen with receptive hearts>
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