Rev. Don Campbell
The defender of the faith preaches a Christ-centered message. The caustic crusader usually preaches an issue-oriented message. A truly Christ-centered message will answer relevant issues as they arise because the Christ-centered message spans the spectrum of truth.
Not only does the defender of the faith preach a Christ-centered message, but he also preaches a discriminating message. One can quote verbatim from Jesus himself and still preach a perverted message.
Paul taught, “And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone” (1 Thess. 5:14).
Jude exhorts, “Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” (Jude 22-23).
If one is preaching to the fainthearted and quotes Jesus, who said in Matthew 23:33, “Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?” one has mishandled the words of Jesus and shall be judged accordingly. A message that does not discriminate between the Bereans and the Thessalonians of the world (Acts 17:1-12) is not the gospel of Christ.
