from an unknown author…
Today, men cannot be prophets in the same sense as in the Bible. But we need the same caliber of spokesmen today as these men were. Notice some of the qualities of these men.
1) They were men of deep conviction. They were convinced of their message and the need for people to respond to it (Jer. 4:19).
2) They did not “beat around the bush” in getting the message across. Nathan, in confronting David with sin, said, “Thou art the man” (2 Sam. 12:7).
3) They did not fear the reaction of men. Elijah denounced King Ahab’s sin (1 Kings 21:20).
4) They did not go along with the crowd. Read about Micaiah who stood against 400 false prophets (1 Kings 22).
5) They were willing to suffer and die for God’s cause (Heb. 11:37).
6) They had grief and pity (Jer. 8:18).
7) They proclaimed judgment. For most of the prophets, this was a recurring theme (Micah 3:12). Judgment must be preached today (Acts 17:30,31).
8) They rebuked false prophets and leaders (Micah 3:11).
9) They spoke out on morality and ethics. Amos said, “Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink…” (Amos 5:11).
10) They became discouraged, but not defeated. Jeremiah did not quit! He said, “If I say I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with forbearing, and I cannot contain” (Jer. 20:9).
Are you a preacher like the prophets? We must be careful of “smooth things” (Isa. 30:10).
Think About It!
Have A Great Day!
Tom Moore
Park Heights church of Christ
P. O. Box 107
1300 East Boynton Street
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.parkheightscoc.com
http://harrisandmoore.org
https://fromthepreacherspc.org/
http://www.syfirst.org
http://preachersfiles.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/preacherspc/
“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”
fromthepreacherspc 