Tuesday, December 20, 2011

The Greatest Sin a Preacher Can Commit

Leviticus 4:35 KJV
And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat of the lamb is taken away from the sacrifice of the peace offerings; and the priest shall burn them upon the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the LORD: and the priest shall make an atonement for his sin that he hath committed, and it shall be forgiven him.

The priest of the Old Testament was as prone to sin as any man in the congregation and therefore provision was made for a sacrifice for his sins.

How much different it is from our Lord who, though a priest, became our sacrifice rather than having to have His own sacrifice. And what a shame it is when men become so wrapped up in a religion that they only see the minister, who is always a sinner, rather than the Lord, who is the forgiver of sin.
• Sometimes it is the congregation who elevates the preacher much too highly.
• Sometimes, too often, it is the preacher who sees himself as the intermediary between Christ and man.

The responsibility over the flock is not the same as ownership of the flock. Stewardship is not the same as mastery. God's people must be free to see Christ. The preacher's task is to bring his charge, the congregation of the Lord, to green pastures and then get out of the way so the congregation may be fed of Christ.

Perhaps the greatest sin a preacher can commit is to place himself between the Lord and His sheep.

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