Communicators Vs. Preachers
Where are the preachers today? I can tell you honestly they are few indeed. I have spent the last five years listening almost everyday at lunch time to sermons. You see I have always had to work to provide for my family while serving Christ in ministry. This sometimes leaves very little time to prepare, study, pray, or just plain build up the gifts God has given me. So you do what every man of God would do. You extract every second, minute, and hour you can and devout it to God. Lunches are His. Evening after family time are His. Drive times are prayer times. Whatever it takes because time is valuable. Over time I have begun to notice the difference between a communicator and a preacher. This in no way implies that I am a critic of pastors or preachers. Or am I intending to cynically passing judgment on my fellow pastors. You see I knew I was called to preach. Not just communicate but preach. So many men call what they do preaching but it just good or great communication. God will take these communicators and use them mightily but it is not preaching. Is it logical to say that If someone stands behind a pulpit and begins to speak to the people this is preaching. Anyone can stand behind a wooden or glass podium and speak to people but you can't just claim it as preaching. Now that some relevant churches have removed the podium and just place a tall night stand and bottle water up on the stage and begin by saying "Today's talk is exploring...." At least they call it for what it is. Then does speaking or talking about God determine what is preaching and what is just plain speaking? Then if that is the case is preaching sole criteria based on content? Content has everything to do with preaching but just because God is mentioned does not define communication as preaching. Then what is preaching and what is communicating? Maybe the best definition is that preaching is God communicating to Man through a Man and with communicating Man is communicating to Man about God. What makes communicators great is there ability to describe and discuss God. What makes preachers great is there ability to shrink themselves into a place of nonexistence and allow God to speak to us through them. And this is what I have heard from these men of God that I have been privileged to listen to day in and day out. There is much more to it then just the content of the message. There is something more divinely orchestrated between just speaking and preaching. God can use public speaking but he uses the sword of preaching. A minister who has sacrificed himself before the Lord and committed his heart mind and soul to serving the Lord is a mighty force on the earth. There is a difference to be sure. Lives are moved, shackles broken, the Holy Spirit is actively falling on the listeners as this humble vessel of God opens his or her mouth and begins to breath out the inspired word of God so burdened upon his heart.
So as a young man in the refining fire and processing work of the Lord, molding and shaping my heart, mind, and spirit. I have taken the opportunity to seek out and sit at the feet of men who are truly preachers. They are not infallible men. They are not men who are to be lifted up above other men. Even there preaching is required to measure up to the Word of God and confirmation of the the Holy Spirit. Yet I can say without utmost conviction that these men are truly preachers. Voices in the wilderness. Mouthpieces for the Living God and instruments in the hands God. They deliver the oracles of God with unwaivering passion and conviction. The burdens laid upon there hearts drive men and women into the loving and redemptive presence of the Lord. I once heard an old-timer saint tell me "You bring me right into the presence of God." What a compliment! But what a confirmation as well!
I have much more to say about preachers but for the time being read the text below. Most people like to reference Peter as a powerful preacher. They site the passage in the book of Acts that describes Peter message delivered after the out pouring the Holy Spirit. They say this truly is a preachers preacher. A man who can be full of the Holy Spirit and used to speak to thousands and draw them all into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. To this I say true. This is preaching. Yet there is another sermon that Peter delivers that is just as significant if not even more powerful. Hear this man they called Peter. Listen to his words. Observe the response in the listeners. Hear what the observers say. And then tell me if you can tell the difference between communicators and preachers.
Acts 10:25-48
25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.
26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Stand up; I myself am also a man."
27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together.
28 Then he said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
29 "Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?"
30 So Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
31 "and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.
32 'Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.'
33 "So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God."
34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
35 "But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
36 "The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ-- He is Lord of all--
37 "that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:
38 "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
39 "And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree.
40 "Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly,
41 "not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.
42 "And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.
43 "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins."
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,
47 "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
(NKJ)
