It is wonderful to hear a preacher stand up before a congregation and expound the Word of God. He is bringing the Gospel, the good news or glad tidings and it stirs our hearts. The preacher will stir you up and generate excitement as he declares God’s Word. Jesus was a preacher of the Word. He was a herald and proclaimed what God placed in His heart.
Jesus was also a teacher. A teacher gives instruction, informs, equips and helps prepare one for what lies ahead. A teacher builds a foundation and establishes one that they may stand firm and not be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. A teacher helps give stability and strength.
God gave to the Church and for the world at large both of these ministries. He also gave us the apostle, prophet and the evangelist as well as the pastor. Sometimes the gifts God gives to who He calls combines these gifts and a preacher may teach or a teacher may preach as did Jesus and Paul as well as others.
Regardless how long you may have been a Christian, you need stirred up occasionally. We all forget and sometimes take things for granted. We forget who we are in Christ and what He has done for us. We need the preaching of the preacher who is called and anointed of God. We also need the teacher who has a different role. He may not stir you up as much but he will help you build a foundation that will strengthen you and give you stability.
We’ve all seen some that came to a meeting and got blessed, excited and were ready to just jump up and run. Then, a couple of weeks later they are right back where they were. Why? Satan came immediately and stole the seed that was sown and convinced them that they were not really saved or that they just couldn’t be a Christian. They had no foundation.
Sometimes Jesus stood before a multitude that had nothing to build upon. What happened? He preached the good news to them. At other times He was able to build and strengthen those who came to hear Him. He added to what they already had and helped them to become established.
The Apostle Paul was no different. Sometimes he would preach to them about fighting the good fight of faith. At other times he would spend time teaching them about the whole armor of God and to put it on in faith believing. God still uses both approaches and we need what each has to offer. To be excited and zealous is wonderful. To be rooted and grounded and have understanding of the Word of God and correctly discern what it says is an absolute necessity if we are to overcome and prevail against the enemy. Remember, our enemy is not another person but is a spiritual foe and we need to be taught and equipped accordingly. Keep pressing on!
Maranatha!
