Whenever a faithful Gospel Preacher stands in the pulpit and proclaims truth from God’s word to an audience of God’s people, they will usually react in one of four ways to that proclamation. Let us now consider those reactions with reference to a sermon on “Giving As One Has Prospered.”

Some Christians will say, “I give as I have been prospered, but I appreciate being reminded of this important truth from God’s word.” This reaction is given by those who give generously and as they have prospered – but still loves to hear that old old story. Some, no matter how many times over the years they have heard a sermon on a given topic – still love to hear the truth ring out. “O how I love thy law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psa. 119:97).

Other Christians will say, “It is true, I have not be giving as I have prospered, and I appreciate you pointing that out to me.” This reaction is given by one who allows the message of truth to affect their lives, and want to do better and will put forth every effort to do so. These are the type of Christians who wants to be informed when they are wrong, because they want to be pleasing to God in every area of their life. The Psalmist declared, “Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me” [or, given me life – NKJ] (Psa. 119:92-93). I pray that this is the attitude we would all possess! The word of God is powerful enough to change lives if we will only heed its teachings (Rom. 1:16). Will you heed the word of God?

Then there are other Christians who will say, “I am guilty of not giving as I have been prospered, and I appreciate you pointing this out to me,” but they make no attempt to change their giving for the better. These type of Christians know they are wrong, and know they need to do better, and yet – for one reason or another, refuse to do so. Some have referred to this type of Christian as a “milk toast” Christian, that is, one who is without stability and backbone. James wrote, “For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth away, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was” (Jam. 1:23-24; ASV). Please, let this not be true of us!

A final reaction to any given sermon might be set forth in this manner: “All that preachers knows how to preach is negative sermons! Doesn’t he know how to encourage?” It is strange that that some will consider a sermon to be positive, while others will consider the same sermon to be negative. I believe that you will find that those who accuse the preacher of always preaching negative sermons have had their “toes stepped on” – and they do not like the feeling. This kind of listener is much like those in Isaiah’s day, who cried, “Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (Isa. 30:10).

Many have the attitude, “Preach what I want to hear – not what I need.” Again, things have not changed much over the centuries as is seen in the words of Jeremiah. “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken” (Jer. 6:16-17). If this is how you react to a sermon you need to make a change – you need to repent.

How do you react to a sermon faithfully preached from God’s word?

Think About It!

Have A Great Day!

Tom Moore
P. O. Box 107
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.harrisandmoore.org
http://www.fromthepreacherspc.org
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