Lost in the Pasture: Examining the Message of Matthew 9:33-34 (KJV)

Matthew 9:33-34 (KJV)

And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.
But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.

I attended a two-week missions course in Elyria, OH many years ago. One of the assignments was to preach in a chapel service. I preached on Moses and the burning bush. It was understood that our messages would be “graded” by all in attendance. I found it interesting that all the teachers pointed out my flaws while all the other students pointed out what they had learned, how they were convicted or corrected, etc. The deaf interpreter said that I preach like an independent Baptist. I think that was a compliment! One person commented on their sheet, “I’ll never see the burning bush the same again.”

I understand that the teachers were there to help us improve, and there is no improvement unless the areas that need improvement are identified. But the contrast was so very stark. Not one of the teachers got the “message.”

Over the years of preaching at fellowship meetings, I have observed that it is very often the same. The pastors in the meeting generally walk away with an outline and likely either approve or disapprove of the messages preached.[1] On the other hand, the church members in attendance get convicted, encouraged, and blessed. 

It was no different for Jesus. After casting out the devil, the multitudes marveled while the spiritual leaders simply found fault. Indeed, the multitudes were “as sheep having no shepherd.”

We’re in the same condition when our spiritual leaders are so busy critiquing God’s messenger that they do not hear God’s message.

---

[1] Just a couple of years ago I heard the pastor that was supposedly leading our state’s fellowship claim that he could hear much better preaching on YouTube than he was getting at our meetings. My opinion, he was judging the quality of the preacher rather than the content of the message. If what he was saying is true, everyone ought to quit going to church and listen to the best preachers on YouTube. He had missed the point of preaching. He, by the way, is no longer a pastor.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 5900 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Lost in the Pasture: Examining the Message of Matthew 9:33-34 (KJV)