Dale Ridge church of Christ

            When it comes to preaching, I am personally all for “feel good” sermons.  The Bible certainly provides ample material for messages that are able to inspire, comfort, build up, give hope, and yes, make us feel good inside. 

Most of us struggle with many issues that affect us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  This, in effect, can have a physical bearing upon us as well.  The Bible is filled with promises and messages of hope and can offer to us that peace that passeth understanding (Philippians 4:7).

                But let us ever be mindful that while the positive may be pleasant and easier, it is often the negative, which we resist, that we really need.  Unrefined gold that never goes through the fires of purification never truly shines as it should and will therefore be of little value.   

In the gold refining process, the amalgamated gold is intensely heated to the point where it is melted down.  Gold is very dense, and so in this process, it sinks to the bottom of the molten liquid while other metals and impurities come to the top.  The non-gold metals and impurities are then removed from the top, and virtually what remains is pure gold.

                Jesus said every part and portion of God’s Word is essential to our well being (Matthew 4:4; see also Deuteronomy 8:3).  That would include not only those comforting, pleasant words, but those words warning that we do not always find so pleasant.  Solomon said the wise person will seek out good things from those things that many want to avoid in life (Ecclesiastes 7:1-12). 

                The apostle Peter spoke of the immense value we should place on the negative, unpleasant forces that come into our lives (1 Peter 1:7; 1 Peter 4:12).  Some trials result from the cursed world in which we live (Ecclesiastes 9:11).  Some may come through the penetrating nature of God’s Word (Hebrews 4:12).

                Those assembled on the Day of Pentecost heard what might be considered a negative, condemning message.  Note that the apostle Peter insinuated that his audience was blind to the facts (Acts 2:22).  He condemned them with having wicked, murderous hands (Acts 2:23).  He directly accused and condemned them of being guilty of sin (Acts 2:36).  Though he spoke this condemning message, his intentions were not out of hatred or ill will.  Notice how respectfully he addresses this crowd as he speaks to them (Acts 2:29).  His desire was that of his Lord’s—to seek and to save that which is lost (Luke 19:10).

                Those with good and honest hearts received this message gladly (Acts 2:37; Acts 2:41).  When the Word of God is preached in its fullness as God intends (1 Corinthians 9:16; Acts 20:27), the positive and the negative, the pleasant and the unpleasant, and the comforting and the condemning will be emphasized.  It is a sign of wise maturity that gladly accepts the trials of life and of the living word to have their proper effect in our lives (2 Corinthians 4:15-18; 1 Thessalonians 2:13).  May we then, as gold, come through as those who are purified and refined (Job 23:10).

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Filed under: Doctrine, Michael Carter on October 11th, 2008