coming “not with excellency of speech or of [earthly, cks] wisdom” but simply
preaching “Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Co. 2:1,2). Every preacher in the
church should maintain his attitude: “If I yet [seek to, cks] please men, I should
not be the servant of Christ” (Ga. 1:10). Preachers who disagree with Paul should
instead pursue politics, circus-performing or motivational-speaking, where
people-pleasing is gaily welcomed. Paul did not receive his message from men; it
came by the revelation of Christ (Ga. 1:13).
Some denominational preachers receive their weekly sermons from their
denominations’ headquarters. They are obligated to preach what is given them
without modification. Even some Christian preachers constantly rely on others’
sermon ideas and outlines, never analyzing themselves what needs preached or
what might be wanting in the local church (cf. Tit. 1:5; He. 5:12; 1 Co. 7:1).
“Immediately,” once Paul was apostolically appointed, he “conferred not with
flesh and blood”—not even other apostles (Ga. 1:16,17). Spiritual direction does
not come from man (Je. 10:23). It flows from the “good and acceptable and
perfect will of God” (Ro. 12:2).
We Cannot Confer with Elders Who Uphold False Doctrine
The elders’ first function is not to choose carpet colors or fix faulty faucets. It is
to feed and oversee the flock and be examples (Ac. 20:28; 1 Pe. 5:2,3). On one
hand, the subjected preacher should consult his faithful elders regularly (cf. He.
13:17), but where elders are living or teaching treacherously the preacher should
“obey God rather than men” (Ac. 5:29). No matter the subject—social drinking,
unscriptural marriage or remarriage, hand-clapping hymn-accompaniment, or
fellowshipping denominations or marked brethren, etc.—only confer with God
(cf. Ps. 119:172).
We Cannot Confer with Unfaithful Brethren
Unfaithful brethren have left their first love (Re. 2:4). A man seeking friendly
counsel about a marriage in turmoil would not rely on one who has deserted his
wife. Likewise, the preacher should not go to wayward Christians to be told what
he should preach. The unfaithful are often doctrinally weak and have branded
consciences (He. 5:11-13; 1 Ti. 4:2). One can but have little respect for people who
“knoweth to do good and doeth it not” (Ja. 4:17). Instead of taking advice from
the unfaithful who show disdain for the Lord’s body, the Christian should be
trying to restore them (Ga. 6:1). We shall not concede to offer them the “smooth
things” such people like to hear (Is. 30:10).
We Cannot Confer with Non-Christian Friends
There is nothing wrong with having friends outside Christ’s church. Jesus
made friends of publicans and sinners (Mt. 9:10). To give strangers the
opportunity to hear and obey the truth, Christians must become “all things to all
men” (1 Co. 9:22) and introduce the spiritually sick to the Great Physician (Mk. 2:
17). Otherwise, “how shall they hear without a preacher” (Ro. 10:14)? But until
they “come to the knowledge” (1 Ti. 2:4), they are blind plants not planted by the
Father (Mt. 15:13). So Jesus says, “Let them alone…if the blind lead the blind,
both shall fall into the ditch” (Mt. 15:14). Discuss God’s word with your non-
Christian friends, standing firm with the Faith (1 Co. 15:58), but do not take their
false ideas to pollute good air in the pulpit and good paper in writing.
We Cannot Confer with Denominational Teaching Material
Every church library and every preacher’s library will have books and
commentaries written by non-Christians. We read and study them on occasion
and, at times, find useful content. But this is for study and personal reference—
not preaching and teaching to others. Whether they are books erroneously
depicting many windows and doors in Noah’s ark or discipleship-training books
containing unscriptural plans of salvation, churches are propagating them,
offering no precursory warnings to their constituents. Sometimes we treat other
religious bodies better than Christ’s own, but Paul said, “But though we, or an
angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have
preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Ga. 1:8). Treat such material as coming
from one who is accursed – detestable, worthy of the curse, execrable – and not
as beloved supporters of Truth.
Preachers, be skillful in the Word (He. 5:13). Exercise scripture knowledge and
spiritual topics daily with Christians and non-Christians, friends and foes,
neighbors and strangers and even fellow preachers. But as far as obtaining a
message to preach, “if any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pe.
4:11).
