Taking Inventory

After thirty-eight years of preaching the Gospel, something hit me the other day that ought to send up the antenna of every man who opens the Book. As I took inventory, I asked myself, "Have I been, all these years, a lazy preacher who gives God's people leftovers? Or am I a preacher that has sought to build solid saints with fresh bread every service?" I asked myself, "Do I really love the people for whom Christ died?"

It seems to me that I am hearing a super abundance of sermons today on problem pew fillers who are always the reason some churches are floundering. We call them church polluters, church termites, preacher killers, etc. Now, I know some so-called Christians can often be hard pills to swallow and in many cases are people who are not even saved! But, is it possible that mature men of God who have the power of God on their lives and the authority of the Word in their hands can look upon this carnal crowd as a challenge? I'm convinced many of these people could be changed! Dare we ask what got these sick folks in the shape they're in?

Was it Saturday night specials empty and void of strong Bible content? God knows there is too much of this going on!

Was it a lack of tenderness on the part of a cold shepherd? Was it an ego-centered preacher whose door is never open to differing opinions?

Forgive me, but who is it that needs to grow up? A few years back, I ran across a statement that spoke to my heart - - - "Is the goal of our ministry to win the argument or win the man?" Is it not in some cases better to lose the argument (naturally not in matters of doctrine, immorality, etc.) and win a man or even an entire family?

Over the years I have seen a number of hard nuts cracked by a whole lot of love and preaching. And, yes, I've seen a whole lot of nuts that no one ever patiently tried to crack. I can honestly say I've seen God work miracles in the lives of people I had marked off as totally unreasonable. Sometimes it may take loving one of your church enemies through a difficult family problem, or standing close by him at the funeral of a loved one, or yes, hot tears you weep in his presence to break him and win his love. Believe me, it can be done! Galatians 6:1 is still in the Bible: "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." This big verse can save a person, a church, and even a ministry. Note the clear lessons here:

1. Restoration and change are possible even in the hard cases (overtaken in a fault).
2. The restorer must be both spiritual and meek. Stay out of the restoring business if you are not.
3. The one who should be a restorer is or can become like the person who needs restoration when there is an absence of spirituality in his life.

Every pastor should be a man of courage, conviction and compassion. May no one ever accuse us of not taking heed to the flock of God (Acts 20:28), or not feeding the flock of God (I Peter 5:2). Mature preachers can produce mature saints. Are we going to lose some? Sure! In spite of all we do some will depart, some should depart, and yes, there are some we should help depart. But let's keep all we can. Those we keep can become some of our best workers. Amen!

Dr. Bob Kelley
Grace Baptist Church, Columbia, SC