May 9, 2011

Preachers: Save Yourself and Your Hearers

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1 Timothy 4:16 – Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Paul was instructing Timothy as he was to remain in Ephesus to charge the churches concerning doctrine (1 Timothy 1:3). In this first letter, Paul tells him to: take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

As a pastor and leader, the way for him to save his hearers is to first save himself.

Sadly, there are preachers, ministers, pastors, and bishops take no thought to the course of their lives or doctrine (in righteousness) – Proverbs 4:26. They malign the gospel to promote their own agendas of money, position, power, and sex. They take on false doctrines and deceiving themselves while becoming a friend of the world (1 John 2:15-17). They join with wicked people of like desires (in the church), greedy for the pleasures of the world rather than the eternal gift of God. They establish a ‘standard’ for others to follow, and sadly, many go down the same path. In the end, their lives will be lost, eternally bound to hell and many of their followers will be with them.

If you are a preacher, minister, pastor, or bishop, repent of your sins. Repent for not watching the course of your life and doctrine and leading others astray. SAVE YOURSELF AND THOSE THAT HEAR YOU! A great treasure awaits you in heaven that does not rot or rust (Matthew 6:19-23; 1 Timothy 6:9-10). REPENT!

Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/johnnyberg