Morning Thoughts - by Elder Philip Conley

Morning Thoughts

Acts 20:27, "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God."

This morning, man deceives in many different ways. Sometimes he tells a "bold-face" lie, and at other times he mixes a little error in with a lot of facts. However, one way in which man deceives quite often is by not telling the whole truth. He will only speak on those things that further his own cause, and he will shun speaking of some things even when posed with the question. Some of our politicians make their living by doing such things. However, while many cynical people (such as myself) expect it from politicians, it is sad and unfortunate when ministers are guilty of the same thing. It is needful for ministers to preach on ALL of the counsel of God. There cannot be any misleading, or the flock is headed for disaster.

As with most subjects, there are extreme viewpoints and measures that some will take and go to. Ministers must preach what the Lord burdens and lays upon their heart. Preaching something other than that is a sure recipe for disaster. However, ministers should make efforts to try to cover different aspects and areas of the word of God. In my experience (and in others that I have talked with), there are preachers that could be called "one or two trick ponies." Each and every time that you hear them speak, it is on just one or two things out of the Bible. Occasionally, they might even talk about something that is in the Bible.

Here, Paul says that he did not shun to speak and declare ALL the counsel of God. Because something was unpleasant, he did not shy away from it. It is not pleasant to preach on hell, eternal punishment, and righteous judgment from God, or pointing out immorality. These are things that today's society and even some churches just do not want to hear about. However, that does not give the ministry excuse to refrain from those subjects. It is difficult and even nigh impossible for the child of God to truly appreciate heaven and immortal glory unless they know what their state would have been without the grace of God. If a child of Adam was really not dead in trespasses and in sins or their sins were not really that bad, how could they truly appreciate news from home? If there is a divine spark in every man, how can they truly thank God for His mercy and goodness? If man is really not that bad, then why must Christ have suffered for us? These are questions to which there is no answer, because all of the premises are false and therefore the conclusions impossible.

The truth of the matter is that hell is real, we were bound for it without God, there is nothing good in us by nature, and we fall into transgressions (even after regeneration). Therefore, this counsel of God makes us appreciative of the rest of it. We have been lifted, raised, redeemed, purchased, and kept! What wonderful news this is to one who is shown of God to realize how destitute they are without Him. Something else about declaring all the counsel of God is that Christ must be in EVERY sermon. Why? This question merits another question. Who is the Lord's counsellor? The answer is that Christ is the Counsellor. Therefore, if we are to preach the COUNSEL of God, the Counsellor must be present.

While we may not preach about the crucifixion or resurrection in every sermon, we need to talk about our dear Saviour in every message. While speaking of our Lord to His people, they need to hear ALL about Him that we are able to bring. While we do not know all about Him, let us not be negligent to bring everything we can know about Him. His people get very hungry, and they need to be fed a well-balanced diet. Let us not give them just sweets, meats, or some other group. Sometimes, I consider my own preaching and I may be leaning towards one thing too much. May we ever lift Him up in praise for EVERY aspect of His word.

In Hope,

Bro Philip