Founded by Bryant Wright, Right from the Heart is a
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Hypocritical Preachers and Religious Leaders Jun 13 2009
“If someone says, ‘I love God’ and hates his brother, he is a liar.” - 1 John 4:20
Don’t you just hate hypocrisy in the church? For many of you it’s a major reason why you don’t come to church. In the movie, The Apostle, starring Robert Duvall, we see a preacher who gets in trouble. He even kills a man, but he runs to a new town and continues to preach.
Certainly, over the last 30 years, Hollywood has done a number on preachers and priests. And time after time they are painted in a very unflattering way, usually as hypocrites or a bunch of out-of-touch airheads, or mean, cruel sickos. If you combine all of that with the charlatan TV evangelists, well, it’s not a pretty picture.
But the truth is, all of us preachers struggle with hypocrisy and not always practicing what we preach. I sure do. But I have good news. I’ve only known one preacher in my life who had no trace of hypocrisy. And He’s alive today—His name is Jesus. All the rest of us fall short, but Jesus never does. So put your focus and your faith in Him.
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3 Comments
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Yes, report it NevermindBryant, I wanted to share a message I wrote for our church's Lenten Devotional this past year. Preachers/Shepherds like you are a treasure (feet of clay and all).
In Praise of Preachers
Romans 10:14-15 (American Standard Version)
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things!
In Biblical times, the news of the outcome of battles in wars was conveyed by a messenger on foot. The messenger would run back to the city. Lookouts on the city walls became good at “reading the feet” of the messenger. If his gait was strong, they knew that the news was good. Thus Isaiah spoke of how beautiful were the feet of the messenger that brings good news.
That is what Paul is referring to in today’s passage. How beautiful are the feet of anyone who brings “the good news” of Jesus to the people. Preachers do not create the good news, but they have the unspeakable privilege of bringing it to others. We also are called to share the news of Jesus. How can people believe if they do not hear?
Prayer: Father God, we give thanks for our preachers. Give them the wisdom to faithfully declare your Word and the Good News of your Son. And Lord, give us the “ears to hear” your call, and the courage to share our faith with others. Amen
Grant
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Yes, report it NevermindDon't judge a man until you've walked a mile in his moccossins.
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Yes, report it NevermindBryant, My husband and I have been with your church for several years after searching our hearts long before leave The Church of the Apostles. You and Michael are two of the most upstanding Christian leaders that I know. You are so humble and always pointing a finger upward rather than taking the glory on yourself. I have all the respect for you as my pastor and as a man of God. Thank you for always keeping us moving forward in our walk.