rockytopva said:
What is a Man of God? - RW Schambach
I miss these type sermons. When I was going to college I would listen to this guy every night at 10:00 PM!
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. - 1 Timothy 6:11
Sermon Notes:
1. Must be sent from God
2. Must be filled with the Holy Spirit
3. Not a self-seeking opportunist
4. Fearless
5. A burning and a shining light
6. Promotes the kingdom of God
7. Preaches the Gospel at all costs
It's amazing to me how many prophetic wannabes there are in the world. Perhaps it has something to do with our over mechanized society or maybe its just that some folk simply want to show off. Whatever the reasons, few pay attention to real prophets of record and none wish to tread their path.
The first and best of the lot was Jesus and He died publicly - humiliated on a cross. His crime? Speaking the truth. Traditional religion has no place for prophets real or otherwise and the same religious leaders that piously speak the name of God are those who conspire with the enemies of God to dispose of prophets.
The OT is full of prophets who died or were mistreated by the society of their time. Nobody wants to hear the word of God. Nobody.
But lots of people like to have their ears tickled with words of sweet nothingness. A good con artist can give them what they want - and make a few bucks while he's at it.
The prophet is a lonely person, despised and ostracized by everyone. The prophet is a person who is not recognized by the people of his own time for his contribution, however great or small it may be. The prophet is a raving lunatic.
And church is that last place anyone is going to find a prophet of God.....because the religious leaders will themselves be condemned by his words.
People don't go to church to see a man on fire for God. They go to watch him burn.
A true prophet spends years in the desert of want - being prepared by God for God's message. Every single one of them walked there and anyone who thinks they've got a special message had better be able to chronicle time spent in the desert.
Ever been in a desert? Not much there....in fact the sheer loneliness of the place is sufficient to make one forget one's purpose, one's hopes, one's dreams and one's predilections for glory. A prophet must spend time there....hurting time.
No self-proclaimed prophet will prosper. Even those sent by God don't do well. It's not exactly a good career move.
Choose wisely, pilgrim. The work of a prophet is truly a thankless task.
and that's just me, hollering from the choir loft...
