PREACHING: An Ignorant Brass-Band.

You know that many words have been taken, changed and given a different meaning than what they really represented originally. Take the word "DUDE" which means a dandy (someone who obsesses over their appearance), today however the word "DUDE" has a completely different meaning.

A similar word used in a completely different way today is "PREACH" which the dictionary defines as:

PREACH: verb - deliver a sermon or religious address to an assembled group of people, typically in church. "he preached to a large congregation" synonyms: give a sermon, deliver a sermon, sermonize, spread the gospel, evangelize, address, speak; rare gospelize "he preached to a large congregation" religious teaching, instruction, message; sermons, sermonizing, homilies, evangelism, homiletics; rare pulpitry, kerygma "large crowds came to hear his preaching". . . publicly proclaim or teach (a religious message or belief). "he preached the word of God" synonyms: proclaim, teach, spread, propagate, expound, explain, make known "a church that preaches the good news" - earnestly advocate (a belief or course of action). "my parents have always preached toleration and moderation" synonyms: advocate, recommend, advise, urge, exhort, teach, counsel, champion, inculcate, instil "my parents have always preached toleration"

They never had mega-churches like today in the time of Messiah, but we do know they had synagogues which of course had a larger room for gatherings. These synagogues were never ordered by the Father but came from the desires of men (of course Messiah took advantage of every situation). When we parouse the word "preach" and we understand the modern connotations of how to do it, we also see such descriptive and more sensitive words as, "deliver a sermon, speak, instruction, toleration and moderation, recommend, advise, urge, champion, instil.

When we imagine the behaviour of these words, is it like the "Brass Band" announcers we see parading themselves and their antics, banners flapping to the loud music of their plight, (which is usually plastered everywhere in gauche colours and letterings) . . . OR is preaching something with a bit more finesse and sensitivity to the fruits of righteousness, the words of love given to us.

Is such paraded behaviour around the instruction of Turah drawing attention to the marchers and their riotous behaviour, or is it a display of our commonness and ignorance. What does this bootleg preaching outside the graciousness of our Master really look like to Messiah? Can you see those carpet-baggers stealing from the flock?

Brothers don't kid yourselves there is a beautiful and respectful way to spread the Gospel that is not a circus or a menagerie. Think on the words of Galatians 5:22-23 and let the Spirit show you how to behave and present them to others. Don't kid yourselves, the real Bride is being preserved behind the scenes while she practices this behaviour. Don't believe those obnoxious, fish-mongering, uncouth, loud mouthed bullies, telling you to behave like an IGNORANT BRASS BAND and see the difference in His loving kindness instead.

By Chris Hilton . . .