Do All Men Speak Well of You?

Luke 6:26 – Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Moses couldn’t do it. He couldn’t preach a message that was pleasing to all. His message of freedom and liberty had a wonderful sound to God’s people longing to be set free from slavery. But that same message didn’t sit well at all with Pharaoh. It’s just not possible to preach the truth and please everybody.

Paul couldn’t do it. His message was loved by those who love the truth, but it was hated by those who did not (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12). His message of a cross was a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks (1 Corinthians 1:23). Not everyone spoke well of Paul. He was falsely accused (Romans 3:8; Acts 24:13). It was simply not possible for Paul to preach the truth of the gospel and have everyone like him and praise him for it.

Stephen couldn’t do it. Because he would not quit preaching the only message that could save the Jews, they stoned him to death (Acts 7:54-60).

John the Baptist couldn’t do it. Even though people flocked to hear him preach and to be baptized by him (Matthew 3:5-6). But even then he rebuked the Pharisees and the Sadducees and called them a ‘generation of vipers’ (Matthew 3:7). John was especially not popular with the wife of King Herod, because he pointed out that Herod had no right to be married to her. He was so unpopular with her that when the opportunity presented itself she demanded his death (Matthew 14:3-11). John just couldn’t preach the truth and be praised by everyone.

Even Jesus himself could not preach so that everyone would like him and praise him. When he went to his home-town to preach, they tried to throw him off a cliff (Luke 4:16-29). The common people heard him gladly(Mark 12:37), but his enemies hung him on a cross.

If Jesus, Stephen, John, Paul, and Moses couldn’t preach the truth and still be popular with everyone, why do some preachers set popularity as their goal?

After preaching a gospel meeting at a nearby congregation, I found out that some members of that congregation were upset by my preaching. While it is always unpleasant to work hard at something just to be criticized for it, still, I rejoice that not all men speak well of me. It would not be a good thing if all men like my preaching.

A false preacher can ‘get along’ with more people. A false preacher can preach ‘smooth things’ (Isaiah 30:10) and with ‘good words and fair speeches’ deceive the hearts of the simple.(Romans 16:18).
This truth applies to other men also, not just preachers. There should be some people you cannot get along with. You also have the responsibility to rebuke (expose) the unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). Since the world did not appreciate Jesus, it will not appreciate his followers either. 1 John 3:1 – Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

So we must take care not to seek the praise of men. We must take care not to long for notice and popularity. We must take care not to compromise to get along. Instead, we must long for the reward of God more than for the praise of men. And we must remember it is not a good thing when everyone speaks well of us.
 

Family Bulletin Board

Remember in prayer and with cards, phone calls, or visits those who have chronic illnesses: Delsie Bishop, Reva Brewer, Ella Brumitt, Eloise Deaton, Jamie Farmer, Francis Ferren, Elizabeth Fowler, Savannah Green, Lola Mae Hamlett, Louise Hunt, and Edith Lechenet.

THIS WEEK!! MISSION (all things are) POSSIBLE
4 years old through the 6th grade.
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September 7th - 9th - Gospel Meeting