By Harold Vaughan
Paul’s final charge to Timothy was not, “Protect your image,” or “Keep everyone happy.” It was, “Preach the Word.” That command included reproving, rebuking, and exhorting with all longsuffering and doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2).
“Preach the Word.”
Somewhere along the way, edgy, convicting preaching fell out of favor. In many places, the pulpit has exchanged the mantle of a prophet for the suit of a public relations agent. Instead of confronting sin, many have chosen to manage perceptions. Instead of warning of judgment, they work to avoid offense. Too often, pastors have made an unspoken peace pact with the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Historically, faithful pulpits sounded forth the moral law of God without apology. They exposed sin, exalted Christ, and called men and women to repentance. They understood that the preacher’s task is not to make sinners comfortable but to awaken their consciences and point them to the Savior.
Not many years ago, sermons on holiness were common. Preachers proclaimed that believers are called to be separated unto God and separated from the world. Holiness was not treated as an optional pursuit for especially devoted Christians; it was presented as the normal expectation for everyone who claimed the name of Christ.
The church does not need better marketeers, or image managers. It needs men who fear God more than public opinion, who love souls enough to tell them the truth, and who would rather be faithful than fashionable.
God never called preachers to win popularity contests. He called them to preach His Word.
The world has no shortage of public relations experts.
What it desperately needs is another generation of prophets.
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