Feeling Low

Hi,

So my heads like 'urgh! No idea!' Right now. So I'm a lay preacher in the church. It's a denomination I'm totally disillusioned with and probably won't stay there past 12 months from now. But on Sunday I preached a sermon. It was about the idea that we have a responsibility as the members of the church to ensure what is preached from the pulpit is the word of God. I said how many preachers, these days, preach 'lovely' Christianity, which is the 'appealing' Jesus; but shies away from the true word of God for fear of offended, being politically incorrect or just unappealing. I said how we must challenge preachers whose message doesn't coincide with that of the bible. It's all about trusting God, from this will flow from all the godly acts. But we often let the message be that we must do all the things a 'good christian' does in order to be a 'good Christian' and that our trust in Jesus salvation and love of God doesn't matter as long as we love each other.

So, after the service I had two men come to me and say it was fantastic. I was told I had a gift of God and shouldn't waste it. They said this was a message which had been on their hearts for a while. And that what I said came firmly from the word of God and it was long over due. But today I received an email from the Steward (elder) who is also a lay preacher. They said how most of what I preached wasn't from the word of God and I shouldn't berate other preachers. They also said that I should lift up and encourage the members for the week ahead rather than challenge what them and the church is doing.

Now, is it that she has done the preachers studies so is wiser than us, or, is it that she is one of the preachers who I preached against and this is why she's really offended? I just feel low and don't know what to think. Just give me your thoughts either by comment or Pm. I have no idea and could do with some thoughts from Spirit filled people! Thanks

Interesting point. I honestly wasn't trying to do it from a selfish point of view. But maybe you're right. But then I don't attend that church, so it's not like I was saying what I don't do. I open the word when I listen to preachers in my own church so that I can see where their message comes from. And I already do what I was preaching. It wasn't that I was saying do what I don't do. I practice what I preached. I wasn't trying to publically berate any preachers, I never mentioned any names and as their are over 100 preachers in this area, it's not like I can be singling out any. I also said there are some great preachers who truly preach the word of God and they are fantastic. I dunno. Maybe you're right and I shouldn't have said it? But then, shouldn't preachers be willing to speak out on the things God says we should, or shouldn't, be doing?

Jesus didn't often have people agree with Him so it will be the same for a pastor. If you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen. Preach what you believe the Lord is laying on heart and let Him take care of the results. Some pastors have had their churches dwindle down to a handful of people but then the people that needed to be in the church and wanted to hear the truth will start coming in. If you look at people's opinions you will never preach what God wants you to say.