Topical Bible: Ministers: should Preach: Not Setting Forth Themselves

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In the Christian ministry, the role of a minister is to serve as a vessel through which the message of the Gospel is communicated. A fundamental principle for ministers is that they should not preach themselves, but rather Christ Jesus as Lord. This principle is rooted in the understanding that the power and authority of the message come from God, not from the individual delivering it.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul provides a clear directive on this matter in his second letter to the Corinthians. He writes, "For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake" (2 Corinthians 4:5). This passage underscores the humility and servitude expected of ministers, emphasizing that their primary focus should be on exalting Christ rather than seeking personal recognition or glory.

The Example of Paul

Paul's own ministry serves as a model for this approach. Despite his significant contributions to the early Church and his profound theological insights, Paul consistently deflected attention away from himself and directed it towards Christ. In 1 Corinthians 2:1-2, he states, "When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified" . Paul's commitment to preaching Christ alone highlights the importance of focusing on the core message of the Gospel.

The Role of Humility

Humility is a key attribute for ministers who seek to preach without setting forth themselves. In Philippians 2:3-4, Paul exhorts believers, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" . This attitude of humility is essential for ministers, as it aligns their hearts with the servant leadership exemplified by Christ.

Warnings Against Self-Promotion

Scripture also provides warnings against self-promotion and the dangers it poses to the integrity of the ministry. In Matthew 6:1, Jesus cautions, "Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven" . This warning serves as a reminder that the motivation behind preaching should be to honor God and edify the Church, not to gain personal accolades.

The Power of the Gospel

The effectiveness of a minister's preaching is not dependent on their personal charisma or eloquence, but on the inherent power of the Gospel message. Romans 1:16 declares, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes" . Ministers are called to trust in the transformative power of the Gospel, recognizing that it is God who works through their preaching to bring about spiritual change.

In summary, ministers are called to preach with a focus on Christ, embodying humility and servitude, and avoiding the pitfalls of self-promotion. By doing so, they fulfill their role as faithful stewards of the Gospel, allowing the message of Christ to shine through their ministry.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 4:5
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Sermon of the Reverend Father Master Hugh Latimer, Preached in ...
... Should we have ministers of the church to be comptrollers ... Now if I should preach
in the country, among the unlearned ... But it should not be taken in hand at the ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/a sermon of the reverend.htm

Knox's Book of Common Order.
... These men were not allowed to preach or to administer ... worship, and of the conformity
by all ministers to a ... in connection with the worship of God should be done ...
/.../johnston/presbyterian worship/chapter iii knoxs book of.htm

Directions How to Hear Sermons
... woe be to them if they do not preach the gospel ... attend to them; for otherwise, wherefore
are ministers sent ... person, on account it was expedient he should go away ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/directions how to hear sermons.htm

The Gospel Message in Antioch
... saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the ... and, in order that their
work should be above ... And when the ministers of the church of believers in ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 16 the gospel message.htm

A Discourse of Mercifulness
... there are (unworthy the name of ministers), itineraries, the ... We preach that they
are needful both as they are ... are married to another that we should bring forth ...
/.../15 a discourse of mercifulness.htm

Measures to Promote Revivals.
... Preach to him, and at the moment he thinks he is ... Perhaps it is not too much to say,
that it is ... It is truly astonishing that grave ministers should really feel ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xiv measures to promote.htm

What a Revival of Religion Is
... Then there will be no need that ministers should wear themselves ... has something very
peculiar in it, not to be ... Suppose a man were to go and preach this doctrine ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture i what a revival.htm

The Preacher as a Man of the Word.
... Every realm of nature ministers to his stores of imagery ... so important that the process
of writing should be slow ... good stuff, we thought, and it will preach itself ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture iv the preacher as.htm

Parting Words [Footnote: Preached Prior to a Long Absence in ...
... Ministers are like doctors, the test of their success is ... to this, that our solicitude
and our affection should find voice ... the one thing for which I preach"viz ...
/.../parting words footnote preached prior.htm

God Willing that all Men Should be Saved.
... Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel ... he would not have given charge to
his ministers to tender ... he should be feared, but that his fear should be cast ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xvii god willing that.htm