Showmanship or Ministry—-Salesmanship or Instrument of the Holy Spirit—–Today’s evangelist, or minister, “self-centered performer” or man of God?! Empowered by the Holy Spirit, or skilled Orator and Performer? Business-man or Priest?
This is not written to anyone who receives it as my personal feeling or judgement about them if they are involved in the Lord’s work. What they do, or how they do it, is between them and the Lord.
II Timothy 4:3,4 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (note: “unto fables” not into fables—-what we hear in these instances is the writer or speaker’s “version” of the word—–edited or adjusted to accomplish his desires.)
Never has this verse seemed more poignant to me than now. It constantly is brought to my heart. Today I felt I had to write it.
At first, it seemed just when I would tune through the different TV mediums and watch the “gyrations” and “exhortations” and “staged showmanship” by “televangelists that I would get this “feeling” and this “warning” would impact me.
But the more I visit other churches, and watch the self-centered “antics” or “presentations” of “ministers of God”—–the more I see this type of thing prevailing. It is like they are all the “showmen” of God—–each trying to “outdo” the other in competition for the “numbers of people” to “attend their church.”
It is a contest of “self.” The amazing thing (but not really amazing, when we realize the “pride of man” is what drives us, and is one of the major avenues of sin) is that each person in “God’s work” can see exactly what I am saying in this — in others – and totally “rule themselves out” as not being one this applies to personally.
Or, when I first sent this out, I received back some commentary by men in God’s work justifying their approach and methodology. Again, I would caution them, that if they feel the need to “justify to me” their actions, maybe they need to seek God’s Holy Spirit in prayerful council. I am not their judge nor advisor.
(Remember, I was one who majored in “showmanship” as a professional wrestling participant and promoter, a TV producer and syndicator—–so adept in “promoting myself” and actually manipulating the audience to react emotionally to my own agenda, I am somewhat discerning of the practices and approaches used—–and can generally recognize them in other professions too. I did not say “always” but generally. However, when you watch for long, it becomes apparent in most cases. Generally, it fairly leaps out at me—-it is so obvious. When it walks like a duck, squawks like a duck, swims like a duck, it is generally a duck! Or, in this instance a wolf in sheep’s clothing—–or maybe disguised as a shepherd.)
I recently heard Charles Stanley make remark on this: He said, if you preach the word of God in truth, the Lord will provide those He intends to hear it from you. But if you need ‘a gimmick’ to attempt to gain a larger audience, that is ‘manipulation,’ and needs to be examined.
I completely agree with this. The Holy Spirit is the one who calls and convicts. But we see many preachers who have ‘taken on themselves’ the role of ‘salesman of faith’ and use every gimmick as well as all means of oratory and emotional hype to ‘convince people’ to ‘come to Jesus’ – which is the Holy Spirit’s function and role – not theirs! (This in no way is saying an evangelist’s presenting the Gospel of Christ is not important, and also following God’s command for us – but it is ‘how its done’ – and when does it become ‘of man’s pride in himself and his presentation’ – and the apparent results of numbers coming forward and joining their ministry — instead of by the Holy Spirit?)
And, as I watch the long interminable “altar calls” at the end of these services (and please do not just focus on this example as an illustration of the total picture I’m trying to present here—–but rather just an obvious portion of it), where in true almost “hucksterish fashion” these “ministers” implore, intimidate, psychologically brain wash, and use every form of “man’s people skills” to entice, to influence, to promote people to “walk down the aisle” to the front of the church “to make a decision”—-any decision, that supposedly reflects their “coming to the Lord,” or “rededicating their life” or “moving their church membership.” Any type of such movement must then be the measure of that “ministers” presentation at that time.
What about God’s Holy Spirit? I read the scriptures, and it would seem that the “calling and conviction” of a person’s heart in relation to our precious Savior, Jesus Christ is His domain—-not man’s.
Are we then in fear He is too impotent in His duty? Are we then “forced” to help Him with all our histrionics and showmanship? Have we then, in our hearts, and by our actions, even though it is still “cloaked” in His name,—–have we “replaced Him” by our “self-centered” pride and become “salesmen” of “religion” and in this denied the power of the gospel, and the Holy Spirit?
I see more and more “gimmicks” to attract the masses to a service in order to present them with the gospel. Is that “of God” or of man? Do we need to sensationalize in order to evangelize? If so, who then is the power—–God or man? Do you think for one moment, our God, is going to allow one person to be eternally condemned because of any action—–or inaction by man (meaning you or me.) That is really “stretching it” and truly reveals the prideful heart of man, and would make God “dependent” upon our actions instead of His own power—–and the total reason He had His Son pay our price for sin.
Yes, we are commanded to share the gospel——so it is our duty. But, this is more in relation to “our response” to Him, and His Lordship. Fruits are the results of our labor in love for Him. But, He prepares the fields, and it is Him who harvests. We are merely the instruments – the vessels.
I am always hearing evangelists and pastors tell of “all they have led to Christ.” (Some tone it down a bit, but the true pride of their “accomplishments” is apparent.)
I thought we were vessels that may be blessed by the Lord if He uses us as an instrument of His calling a sinner to Himself—–and that it was all done by His Holy Spirit—–and certainly not of man—–or self.
But if one picture is like a thousand words——-look at your TV, or attend a church, and watch “self reign” in the person of the “minister or evangelist.” Watch as they gyrate, move back and forth across the stage, stoop down, jump up, walk down the steps, sweat, shout or raise their voice, even sometimes almost screaming, and exhort the masses to join in and voice agreement or say “Amen”—-or some other “mantras” lead by them, all to bring the service to “some choreographed fever pitch” (some more subtle about it than others, but all still doing the same type of thing)—-or have their Bible’s open and twisted, or gesturing with them (if they even ever refer to the scriptures—–which so many don’t——its just all an oratorical delivery by them), as they turn around to the choir,——-all the polished skills of an “orator”—-a showman.
And we as “laymen” sit there in our seats, and are captivated, or hypnotized by all their histrionics and oratory——whether we know it or not, if they are skilled enough. And we have become so lax in our own personal study of the Holy word of God, our Bible, that we cannot tell when they have departed from the truth (or taken Scripture out of context) and/or “turned unto fables”—-as they twist it (some just slightly, some blatantly) to accomplish their own aim—–and “tickle our ears.”
That is why we (every believer) is a priest to the Lord, and I feel in the model of how to worship as revealed in the New Testament, there is not this “power” we see today of “one pastor, or minister” so controlling any assembly of the saints. That is too dangerous, and of tremendous opportunity for Satan.
(Could this separation of clergy and laity be a tool of Satan to lull us into sleep and allow our thoughts and minds to be dominated by one person or one denomination, rather than our being prepared by our own study and priesthood to the Lord.)
I was reading this morning in I Corinthians, and also following along in a commentary by William MacDonald, a blessed saint who has loved the Lord for a long time, and is mature in his understanding of the scriptures far beyond my meager knowledge.
Let me here use his words and comments that really “brought this home to me.”
Starting on page 1749 of his Believer’s Bible Commentary, speaking of these verses in I Corinthians as he refers to first 1:18 “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing”——–he first references a man named Barnes who wrote: “The death on the cross was associated with the idea of all that is shameful and dishonorable; and to speak of salvation only by the sufferings and death of a crucified man was fitted to excite in their bosoms only unmingled scorn.”
MacDonald follows: “The Greeks were lovers of wisdom (the literal meaning of the word ‘philosophers’). But there was nothing in the gospel message to appeal to their pride of knowledge.
To those who are being saved, the gospel is the power of God. They hear the message, they accept it by faith, and the miracle of regeneration takes place in their lives. Men may love their human wisdom but only the gospel leads to salvation.
1:19 The fact that the gospel would be offensive to human wisdom was prophesied by Isaiah (29:14): “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
Now to I Corinthians 2:1 and MacDonald’s words about it: The apostle now reminds the saints of his ministry among men and how he sought to glorify God and not himself. (My note: Is that what you see today? Or is today’s minister lifting up himself too?) He (Paul) came to them proclaiming the testimony of God, not with excellence of speech or of wisdom (philosophy).
He was not at all interested in showing himself off as an orator or philosopher. This shows that the Apostle Paul recognized the difference between ministry that is soulish and that which is spiritual.
By soulish ministry, we mean that which amuses, entertains, or generally appeals to man’s emotions.
Spiritual ministry, on the other hand, presents the truth of God’s word in such a way as to glorify Christ and to reach the hearth and conscience of the hearers.
2:2: The content of Paul’s message was Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. Jesus Christ refers to His Person, while Him crucified refers to His work. The Person and work of the Lord Jesus form the substance of the Christian evangel.
2:3: Paul further emphasizes that his personal demeanor was neither impressive nor attractive. He was with the Corinthians in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. The treasure of the gospel was contained in an earthen vessel that the excellence of the power might be of God and not of Paul. He himself was an example of how God uses weak things to confound the mighty.
2:4: Neither Paul’s speech nor his preaching were persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. Some suggest that his speech refers to the material he presented and his preaching to the manner of its presentation. Others define his speech as his witness to individuals and his preaching as his messages to groups. According to the standards of this world, the apostle might never have won an oratorical contest. In spite of this, the Spirit of God used the message to produce conviction of sin and conversion to God.
2:5: Paul knew that there was the utmost danger that his hearers might be interested in himself or in his own personality rather than in the living Lord. Conscious of his own inability to bless or save, he determined that he would lead men to trust in God alone rather than in the wisdom of men. All that proclaim the gospel message or teach the word of God should make this their constant aim.
My thanks to William MacDonald, himself an evangelist, and proclaimer of God’s word, and an accomplished author of works to help us better grasp God’s word. But when you hear Brother MacDonald in person, which I have, the total emphasis is on the Lord, not on him—–or self. And, I’ve not seen him do a long altar call. He merely tells you that you need to make a decision, but leaves that between you and the Lord, and for you to let the elders of the church know so they can council you. If you are convicted by the Holy Spirit, nothing can keep you from declaring it—–nothing! It does not take an “emotionally contrived” altar call.
In “modern ministry” is the Holy Spirit still the powerful revealer of Christ—–or is it the showman, the orator——the minister or pastor, who’s pride has seduced him to “lift up himself” as our object and authority of faith——by his actions—–thus even fooling himself. Has that person become the “salesman of faith?”
If his message is of the gospel under the power of God by the Holy Spirit, could he not then “hide himself” behind a curtain, so no one could watch him as he caters to our emotion, and let him just present the truth of the gospel and God’s word—–and wouldn’t it the results be just as real——-maybe even more real.
I realize this is not a realistic situation—–but only to point out that maybe if they were more concerned with presenting the gospel in truth and sincerity—-and totally referring all they preach through the actual word of God——and if they were less concerned with their “own performance” or show——-and trusted in the Lord for the “fruits of their ministry” rather than in their own long, emotional “altar calls” (which I cannot find in the scriptures)—–maybe those saved would truly be saved rather than just emotional reactions.
It never said that “masses and huge numbers” was the true evidence of salvation—-did it? But, in today’s world, “numbers” represents success, and success is somehow directly tied to money—-either in donations, or in buildings, etc. And that too may be another seduction of “this huge business” that has evolved in the religious arena. It is driven by money—–and thus justified. (Maybe that is why Paul never made his work for the Lord his source of income.)
Of course, does the “pressure” of building or maintaining the “business of the church” supercede this, and make the “pastor” feel obligated to perform in a manner that “brings in or attracts numbers” which in turn is “money” to fund the business of the church? (And, I am not saying that is all bad. But, it certainly is a factor in “how its done,” isn’t it.)
And in closing, no matter what, my God is Sovereign! He will use whatever, or whomever He wants to be the vessel to deliver His gospel and lead a person to Himself for salvation.
Even the most terrible people in our history have been used by God. Even the most crass imposters, the imitators of being men of God—–have been used by God for His own purposes. And, He has called and lead people to Christ through these very instruments—–even those who are the spirit of the anti-Christ, but it doesn’t resolve them from their responsibility.
This is something that seems to be escalating—–this lifting up in the ministry of “lovers of self” and those who would “tickle our ears” ——–and, “having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
Guard your faith and your love of Christ. He is Lord. And, look not to men, but to God, and in this, through His word. And, thus, do not be angered, skeptical, nor reduce God to “man’s presentation” or blame God for man’s “politics of religion.”
What our Lord Jesus wants is a personal relationship with us and Himself, and that needs no one to implement or continue——-it is between each of us and Him.
Maranantha, oh come now Lord Jesus.
Bill Watts