The character of a Christian worker highlights the vital role and honorable calling of those who serve in ministry, emphasizing faithfulness, integrity, and genuine commitment to Christ's mission (1 Corinthians 15:58). Illustrations often contrast sincere laborers with false professors, warning against superficial service and urging steadfastness in godly character (2 Timothy 2:15).
Serving God as a mere profession leads to coldness and lifeless ministry.
The man who has adopted the church as a profession, as other men adopt the law, the army, or the navy, and goes through the routine of its duties with the coldness of a mere official,—filled by him, the pulpit seems filled by the ghastly form of a skeleton, that, in its cold and bony fingers, holds a burning lamp. Dr. Guthrie.
Sunday-school teachers perform vital ministry work deserving respect like ordained ministers.
It seems to me that every Sunday-school teacher has a right to put "Reverend" before his name as much as I have; or if not, if he discharges his trust, he certainly is a "Right Honorable." He teaches his congregation, and preaches to his class. I may preach to more, and he to less; but still he is doing the same work, though in a smaller sphere. I am sure I can sympathize with Mr. Carey, when he said of his son Felix, who left the missionary work to become an ambassador, "Felix has drivelled into an ambassador;" meaning to say, that he was once a great person as a missionary, but that he had afterwards accepted a comparatively insignificant office.
— Spurgeon
Whitefield warns of false professors; Grimshawe fears many are going to hell openly.
Mr. Whitefield, in a sermon he preached at Haworth, having spoken severely of those professors of the gospel who, by their loose and evil conduct, caused the ways of truth to be evil spoken of, intimated his hope, that it was not necessary to enlarge much upon that topic to the congregation before him, who had so long enjoyed the benefit of an able and faithful preacher; and he was willing to believe that their profiting appeared to all men. This roused Mr. Grimshawe's spirit, and, notwithstanding his great regard for the preacher, he stood up, and interrupted him, saying, with a loud voice, "Oh! sir, for God's sake, do not speak so; I pray you, do not flatter. I fear the greater part of them are going to hell with their eyes open."
Reproof should be delivered with care to avoid harshness that harms relationships.
The natural temper of the Rev. Andrew Fuller, of Kettering, though neither churlish nor morose, was not distinguished by gentleness, meekness, or affability. He could rarely be faithful without being severe; and, in giving reproof, he was often betrayed into intemperate zeal. Once, at a meeting of ministers, he took occasion to correct an erroneous opinion, delivered by one of his brethren; and he laid on his censure so heavily, that Dr. Ryland called out vehemently, in his own peculiar tone of voice, "Brother Fuller! brother Fuller! you can never admonish a mistaken friend, but you must take up a sledge hammer and knock his brains out!"
Sometimes a simple look can be a powerful and cutting form of reproof.
An eminent judge of Virginia, once said to a friend, that the most cutting reproof he had ever received for
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No perfect person exists; unrealistic ideals lead to disappointment in Christian workers.
See TYPES, DISTINCT.
IDEAL, THE
A certain congregation could not find a pastor. They knew what they wanted. He must be a sound and able theologian, a literary man, up in science, polished to the last degree, good-looking, genial, a mixer, sympathetic, a hustler, not heady, humble minded, etc. A visiting minister, who knows them, told this story:
“A certain gentleman came to a horse-dealer and gave the following order: ‘I want a young horse with spirit and speed in him--something I’d like to drive myself for my wives and daughters. He must be entirely without blemish and work in single or double harness. He must be a perfect carriage-horse, and also good under the saddle, with several gaits. And he must be absolutely afraid of nothing.’
“‘Ah, I see--I see,’ replied the dealer. ‘You want a hoss without a speck on him; mettlesome, but gentle; young, but easily governed; guaranteed not to shy at anything; perfect any way you want to use him, in single or double harness, or as a saddle-hoss, with all the gaits.’
“‘Yes, yes,’ interrupted the gentleman, ‘that’s what I want exactly.’
“‘My friend,’ answered the dealer, ‘there ain’t no sich hoss!’”
The congregation doubtless caught the point.--_Presbyterian of the South._
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