In my admiration of other preachers, I noticed a real danger that we could have here in north america. Let me back up a bit.
A good preacher will be connected to God. He will be in tune with what God is speaking.
When a preacher preaches, God will want to say things to individuals through that preacher. The things that God will say will often confront individuals in a very personal way, a way that will make an individual feel deeply understood and loved.
Because we have a very man centered culture, people are hard-wired to give praise and glory to human beings rather than to God like the people at Lystra were (Acts 14:8-18).
So this is a message for preachers and people.
People: when you feel deeply understood and loved, remember that it is God’s love you are experiencing, not a deep connection to a preacher. Especially those who are on or radio etc.
Preachers: this should strike fear in your heart, that people would give you glory where God should be getting it, feeling loved and understood by you when it is God that is really loving and understanding them.
May we be like Paul and Barnabas who, in the previously cited chapter,
“tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out and saying, ‘Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.’”
