Facing Their Faces

The prophet Jeremiah lived in dark days.  His nation was largely in rebellion against God and His precepts.  The last thing they wanted to hear was someone declaring that they were wrong before God.  This is exactly what God called Jeremiah to declare.  Jeremiah knew the possible consequences he would face by speaking such an unpopular message, and he knew the fear of facing a rebellious crowd.  God comforted him with these words, “do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you.” (Jer. 1:8)  

Jeremiah became known as the “weeping prophet”.  He wept over the sins of his countrymen.  He wept over the impending judgment of God upon his nation.  But even his tears of sincerity would not turn back the sinful hearts of his friends and neighbors.  He faced their faces with tears in his eyes and pleaded with the people to cease calling that which was good evil, and that which was evil good.  How did Judah respond?  They attempted multiple times to kill him.

Jeremiah preached the importance of true worship instead of false religion.  He called for true social justice according the dictates of God’s word.  He proclaimed the importance of loyalty to God rather than alliances with the world.  Jeremiah’s message still rings true today.

We are a nation that has largely rejected God.  Our countrymen are attempting to offer new and acceptable definitions to those things which God has declared to be sinful.  Our cities and church gatherings are filled with false religion instead of true worship of the Holy One.  We have sought social equality in a way that rejects divine justice.  Our nation has emphasized likeness with the world over loyalty to the one true God.

The great need of the hour in America is people who are willing to stand and speak God’s word prophetically and lovingly.  Blessed be the ones who stand with an open Bible and tears in their eyes as they declare the timeless truth of the immutable God.  May we not be afraid of their faces, for the Lord is with us.  We will be held responsible for our faithfulness to do so and the people will be responsible for how they respond.

A Few Thoughts On Preaching Prophetically

To preach prophetically is to declare the truth of God with clarity and compassion.  One must speak forthrightly and make the truth plain while also extending the love of God to all.  Prophetic preaching is many times predictive in the same way that the prophets of old spoke with divine foresight.  I do not mean that we are to predict stock market crashes, earthquakes, or specific disasters of any kind.  We are to speak predictively the principles of reaping and sowing.  The Old Testament prophets did speak in ways of national and natural disaster, but under a divine inspiration that we do not today experience.  They were writing Scripture, inspired by the Holy Spirit.  We are to proclaim what has been written with careful attention not to add to nor take away from God's Word by the illumination of the Holy Spirit.  God says, "do this and you will blessed; don't do this or you will be cursed."  The predictive portion of our preaching should be in accord with these principles.
Beyond the definition of prophetic preaching it is also important to notice the compassion with which God's message should be delivered.  Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet" and Jesus "wept" over rebellious Jerusalem.  Divine warnings are intended to protect people from the destruction of sin and drive us to the grace of Christ.  We are to avoid preaching in unrighteous anger or even a righteous anger delivered in a hateful manner.  Our flesh sometimes camouflages the anger issue.  As one wise preacher once said to me, "You will never help people walk in the Spirit if you are in the flesh!"  God will bless the man who is faithful to expose the truths of Scripture with a passionate, "Thus saith the Lord."  But we also must remember the patience God extends to us every moment of every day.
I offer three precepts that have guided me well:
1.  Let the people plainly know God's truth.
2.  Let the people know you care.
3.  Let the people know challenges are real but God is faithful.
While I studied at Southwestern Seminary I sat under the teaching of Dr. Raymond Spencer.  He is now at home with the Lord but his words echo in my mind weekly.  He once said to me, "The people need to know the heart of a pastor so they may hear the thunder of a prophet."  May we do this to glory of God and the edification of the saints.