tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13792024.post7181662385556944106..comments2024-03-15T07:24:22.608+00:00Comments on Life on Wings - A Tribute to Dr Ern Baxter: Christmas Thoughts - Sweet and Sour!Dan Bowenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15661120561123767936noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13792024.post-1932079672583722872009-12-30T02:32:06.152+00:002009-12-30T02:32:06.152+00:00I am believing for a glory filled year for you Dan...I am believing for a glory filled year for you Dan, may you continue to grow in grace and marvel in Christ in you the hope of GLORY!!! <br /><br />MUCH LOVE!lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01495924200222561417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13792024.post-89515242069769908712009-12-29T10:22:00.275+00:002009-12-29T10:22:00.275+00:00In his book, Preaching and Preachers, Lloyd-Jones ...In his book, Preaching and Preachers, Lloyd-Jones says something similar about a preacher's authority in the "pulpit" (although he is talking about <i>preaching</i> rather than the role of a pastor in general).<br /><br />As a preacher (and a pastor), I agree in part with this view. The preacher is charged with expounding (opening up) the meaning of the scriptures. The scriptures are the very words of God Himself. Also, out of all the glorious words of scripture, for each specific message, the preacher is called to bring the NOW word to the people, that which has been given by the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />It is an awesome challenge to step into the Most Holy Place and encounter God with the NOW word, and to unpack the scripture laid on your heart and to apply it so that lives are set free and the people of God are set on fire. So in a sense, the preacher is standing in the very place of the Lord Himself.<br /><br />However, there is one major difference... the preacher is fallible, whereas the Lord is infallible. There are times when the preacher can get it wrong.<br /><br />So, while a congregation needs to have a heart to hear from God whenever the preacher comes to preach, they must also be eager to search the scriptures to see if what is preached is indeed the truth. The preacher may well stand in the place of the Lord, as the Lord's messenger, but only insofar as he brings the Lord's message. Every preacher must be open to correction by the scriptures, and so there must be an openness to listen to questions and to go back to the word.<br /><br />One more thing... a preacher is only the Lord's messenger so long as he is expounding scripture. As soon as the preacher is simply giving his own opinions, then he is simply an advisor. When Lloyd-Jones spoke of preaching with such authority, he was speaking of the expounding of the Word... not the applying of denominational rules and regulations upon the people of God.<br /><br />Finally --- I agree 100% --- roll on 2010, for a year of overwhelming glory!Peter Dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14498529242569940604noreply@blogger.com