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Alpharic Research Institute

Centre for Research in Philosophy, Theology and
Ethics
Email: alpharicinstitute@gmail.com 09066927954

PERILS OF THE HERALD OF THE MYSTERY OF GOD

BY
GODSWILL OME UFERE

Email: uferegodswillmatthias@gmail.com, godswillmatthias99@gmail.com; __GSM: +2347045155575

FEBRUARY, 2022

“If you are not resting in the one true gospel, preaching it to yourself over and over again, you will
look to another gospel to meet the needs of your unsettled heart” (Paul David Trip, Dangerous
Calling 36). The Gospel is the salve (relieve, comfort) of the soul and the right interpretation &
application of the Scriptures, by the power of the Holy Spirit, is just as necessary for all, even the
preacher himself.

PERILS OF THE PREACHER be as secluded as a walled garden, yet it is not

what it appears to be. The preacher is always
Preaching as defined by Online Dictionary is
at the peril of losing his spirituality, his power,
“the delivery of a sermon or religious address
his vision, his usefulness and his life for God.
to an assembled group of people, typically in
church” (n.pg). BDAG defines it as “an The perils the preacher is exposed are as
official announcement, proclamation, of the follows:
content of a herald’s proclamation.”
A. Peril of Undue Familiarity with Divine
The preacher, his life and work is associated Things.
with perils. It is well known fact that perils are
When a preacher, who constantly handles
attendant on privilege. The greater the
divine things, loses the spirit of humble and
privileges, the greater the perils. Many think
reverential awe in the presence of the holy and
that a preacher is living in an atmosphere
glorious God whom he serves, he is in great
where little or no temptation can enter to mar
peril of being set aside as not worthy any
or dim his light. Though his life may appear to
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longer to serve the living and true God. (Lev.
10:1-3, 1 Thess. 1:9)
B. Peril of Inconsistent Living.
It is tragic to point the way to others and yet
not walk in the way oneself. This was the sin
Christ charged the Pharisees. The mere
holding and teaching of correct doctrine is not
equivalent of correct living. He who thinks he
stands should take heed lest he falls.
(1Timothy 4:12, Titus 2:7). Immorality and
other sin are common to preachers.
C. Peril of Neglecting One’s Own Spiritual
Development.
It is possible to guide others to the king’s
garden and yet remain outside the gate
yourself. A preacher may wax eloquent on the
fabulous riches of the Lord’s treasury, and yet
is poverty stricken in his spiritual life. The
preacher must read, mediate and study of
God’s word for his personal spiritual growth
and not for sermon development. Many
preachers neglect their personal spiritual
growth.
D. Peril of Unconcerned to the Need of
Others.
Just like a doctor can become hardened to the
suffering of his patients the preacher can loose
his capacity for compassion and become
callous to the pitiable spiritual and physical
needs of others. It is dangerous when a
preacher cannot appreciate and sympathize
with suffering humanity.
E. Peril of Compromise.
The danger of compromise arise when the
preachers refuses to frankly and honestly face
the unpleasant situations, truths and duties.
The tact of diplomacy adopted destroys the
truth at the altar of comprise. The happens
either in relation to the preacher’s life or the
life of others and the ministry of the word.
The preacher must be courageous to stand and
uphold to the truth.
F. Peril of Popularity.
The problem of fame is also a peril to
preachers. The lure of the limelight and the
courting of praises of men have ruined a lot
preacher. The desire for popularity provides a
fertile breading ground for the train evils of
envy and jealousy. God cannot share his glory
with any man. many preachers have sacrificed
their spiritual power on the altar of secular
popularity and lived to regret his abysmal
folly. The preacher must take heed and beware
lest, over exposure to the approval of men
blind him to the supreme importance of the
approval of God.
G. Peril of Professionalism.
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There is the danger that a preacher may
become austere and intolerant of friendly
critics, and resent needed correction, and even
good advice from those in the position to give
it. Such a one imagines that because he has
been wholly engaged in God’s work over a
period of years, he is now beyond the
possibility of criticism from colleagues or
ordinary Christians. Preaching can easily
become a perfunctory affair while God is left
behind.
Major Fears of the Preacher
 The Work of Interpretation
For preachers or those who regularly exegete
Scripture for a study of some sort, they
understand not only the real labor that goes
into properly interpreting the Word for the
consumption of another but also the reverent
fear that accompanies misinterpretation.
Truly, anyone can take a verse, paragraph, or
passage and starts a sermon. But, to take into
consideration the Testament, Genre, Author,
Audience, Purpose of the Book, Cultural,
Historical, Grammatical, Christological,
Theological, and Applicational (of course, this
list is not meant to be exhaustive) context of a
passage is work; it is hard work. To
misinterpret could very well led to
misapplication and very unfortunately Jesus’
words about the “millstone, river, and causing
sin in a little one” (Matthew 18 & Luke 17)
becomes the lot of that preacher. Careful work
with the Scriptures is an absolute necessity for
the work of interpretation and to neglect that
is dangerous.
 The Struggle of Application
This does not mean that the preacher struggles
on how to apply what the passage says to his
audience, though a preacher can still
encounter such problem. The struggle of
application begins with the preacher. It is a
trap that many preachers have fallen into.
A preacher must first be his personal
audience. He must first apply the Gospel to his
own life. Ceasing personally from applying
the glories of the Gospel to his own needy
soul can cause a collapse in the ministry.
Needless to say, that descent leads down a
perilous road.
 The Pain of Mortification
Mortification means killing sin week after
week. To most preachers, this is painful. Sure,
every believer want to be “pruned that he
might bear more fruit” just like the next Jesus-
lover but to be honest, pruning is painful. Sin
causes a big “But” in the life of a preacher.
Sin in a preacher is sin that is most
transferable. Thus, preachers must constantly
be under the conviction of the Holy Spirit as
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they study and as they teach/preach. The Law Conclusion

is meant to reveal sin but also to drive all to
In all things, preachers herald the Word of
Calvary and sometimes in the laborious and
God. They are the carriers of God’s mysteries.
perilous task of killing sin a preacher stops too
Consequently, the Devil will always want to
soon at the revelation of sin, wallow in fear
attack them with the above perils and fears in
and pity, then walk away feeling discouraged
their ministry but they can survive all of them
that he will never measure up.
and become victorious because Jesus did. That
is the Joy of the Gospel. Truly, most preachers
will never measure up but the One who not
only measured up but voluntarily gave up His
place of glory, sacrificially took their place of
shame, and victoriously defeated death that
they might be given His righteousness and not
be shackled by their hideously damning
unrighteousness; that is Jesus Christ.
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