Unpopular Preachers,
by Dr. Oliver B. Greene
Hell will be hotter for these preachers than for ordinary sinners who sat in the pews and listened to their social gospel. Oh yes, there will be preachers in Hell (II Cor. 11:13–15). Just as surely as God has God-called preachers, the Devil has Devil-called preachers. There is no need to blame Hollywood and the liquor crowd for the mess in which we find the world today. The blame lies at the doorsteps of sissy, compromising, back-scratching, ear-tickling, "denomination-pecked" preachers who know the truth yet refuse to preach it for fear that they might hurt someone’s feelings. It is not inviting to be unpopular. No one likes to be shunned. It is not a good feeling to know that you are not appreciated. But our Lord went through all that—and more. He set the example. He said, "He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, IS NOT WORTHY OF ME." Also, “Beware of the man of whom all men speak well.” Too many preachers stand in too well with the world in this modern era. The other day while reading the Word, I noticed some of the texts used by a few of the most prominent Bible preachers. I also noticed that these teachers were unpopular. I have no idea that they would receive the good graces of the "brethren" of this day. I have no idea that these fellows would get any free publicity if they came to the average American city to conduct a series of revival services. These "firebrands" lived a long time ago, and a lot of water has run under the bridge since they preached here on earth. But human nature has not changed one iota. Religious "dandies" are still operating just as they did in the days of these preachers. The spirit of this age is as always: "What are you excited about?" If you will study the Word, you will find that God’s men in every age since God anointed men to carry His message have been excited. Who were some of the unpopular preachers of the Bible, and what were their texts?
1. Noah was a Calamity Howler, he was a Prophet of Doom. I doubt if he was invited to any of their suppers and brotherhood meetings. They thought that poor old Noah had lost a button; but he hadn’t! Noah was the listening, working, warning kind of preacher. He listened to God! He worked on the ark! He warned the people! His membership did not grow, and his report at the association would not have been so good. BUT he became the "heir of the righteousness which is by faith" (Heb. 11:7). His name might not have gotten in "Who’s Who in Religion," but he got his name on the ROLL CALL OF THE FAITHFUL (Heb. 11:1–40). There were a multitude of people alive while Noah lived, but the only name which I find recorded in the Eternal Record is "faithful Noah." It made little difference to Noah what the people said about him or about his message. He had heard from God, and he preached the warning which God had bidden him preach. So does every man of God, and no man can preach God’s Word and not preach judgment!
2. Joseph brought the report of the Evil Doings of His Brethren, "…and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report" (Gen. 37:2). I am afraid that Joseph would not get very far in the preaching business today. You know you should never speak against the brethren, no matter what they say or do. This is the age of "brotherly love," "fellowship," "don’t fight; fellowship instead," so the big-shot religionists tell us. "Love the fellows as brothers," they will say. THAT’S THE DEVIL’S LINE and has been ever since hee he he became the Devil! God has always forbidden His servants to hobnob with the Devil’s outfit. "Come out from among them"! "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness"! "Preach the word"! "Reprove"! "Rebuke"! "Exhort"! Such is the admonition of the Almighty to His servants (II Cor. 6:17; II Tim. 4:1–4; Eph. 5:11). Oh yes, it cost Joseph to take a stand against the "evil brethren," but it paid big dividends in the end. Joseph was not the last one to lose his popularity through such preaching. Many a dear pastor has been crucified because he dared to take a stand against the evils of the brethren. The way to be popular is to never look for evil in any man, but always look for the good.
3. Elijah Was Against the Prophets of Baal. Elijah is our next unpopular preacher. He wouldn’t get to first base in the program of today. He would have been called a "prophet of gloom"—a fellow who always looks on the dark side—a "calamity howler." Elijah would have never gotten an invitation to preach at the fellowship. God can’t bless our fair country today unless we come to our senses and confess our sins; and it needs to begin in the pulpit in many places, and it must begin in the pulpit if it is ever to reach the pew. A preacher who does not preach the judgment of God needs to go to the altar and confess his sins. Elijah was quite a preacher, but he was very unpopular (I Kings 17:1).
4. Micaiah Was Not for Sale. This poor fellow would today be called "uncouth." They would say today, "Brother Micaiah, you should get a little more training; it would help you to express yourself better and give you a better understanding of the brethren." You see, Micaiah’s text was: "Your Prophets Are Liars!" (II Chron. 18:22). Such language today would certainly be outlawed by the "learned." "The very idea—calling the brethren liars!" But Micaiah did it! Micaiah was thrown in jail for preaching the truth of the Lord (II Chron. 18:12–34), but he was one of those fellows who was not for sale! He preferred jail to selling his Lord down the river.
Oliver B. Greene