BALANCED PREACHERS and BALANCED PREACHING

"Our theme word this year is balance."

E. Claude Gardner, then President of Freed-Hardeman College
  1. Early on, Peter was a somewhat unbalanced individual
    1. High points- the miracles witnessed, great testimonies
      1. Luke 5:1-11 great catch of fish
      2. Mark 1:30-31 mother-in-law healed by Jesus
      3. Matthew 14 & 15 feeding of the 5000+ and 4000+
      4. Matthew 17 the Mt. of Transfiguration
      5. Acts 2, 10 only witness to both Holy Spirit baptisms
      6. Matthew 16:16-18 the great confession
      7. John 6:68-69 "To whom shall we go?"
    2. The Low Points- bold claims and the denial of Christ
      1. Matthew 26:33/Mark 14:29 "Though all be offended, I will not be offended"
      2. Luke 22:33 "I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death."
      3. John 13:37 "I will lay down my life for thy sake."
      4. Matthew 26:74 "Then began he to curse and swear, saying, I know not the man."
    3. More examples of unbalance
      1. John 13:5 "Thou shalt never wash my feet . . . Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and head." (v 9)
      2. Galatians 2:11-21 public rebuke by Paul b/c of withdrawal from the Gentiles, even after the vision and encounter with Cornelius, which included the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.


  2. Paul was a balanced individual
    1. Even as a persecutor of the church, Paul was balanced in his convictions (Acts 23:1).
    2. In his love for the church
      1. Acts 20:28-31
      2. Romans 9:1-3; 10:1
      3. Philippians 1:8, 23-24
    3. In his prayers for the church- look at the first few verses of nearly every letter he wrote, you will see a mention of thankfulness in prayers on their behalf.
    4. In his rebuke of false doctrine and false teachers.
      1. He said everything necessary, and nothing more.
      2. He did not attempt to impugn the character of the false teacher.


  3. Why Balance is Important:
    1. It protects us from extremism.
      1. Brotherhood Watchdogs: ready to attack all that don't "fall in line" with them on every issue
        1. not speaking the truth in love Ephesians 4:15
        2. example: the loveless Ephesus church Rev 2:1-7
      2. Compromisers of the Truth:
        1. won't stand for the Truth (baptism, music, etc)
        2. carried about by every wind of doctrine Eph 4:14
        3. example: the compromising church Rev 2:12-17
    2. Balance protects us from the traditions of men which minimize the authority of Jesus (Matt 28:18) and the scriptures (2 Tim 3:16-17).
      1. Matthew 7:29/Mark 1:22 Jesus taught with authority
      2. Luke 7:1-10 the Centurion recognized his authority
      3. John 5:25-29; 12:48 Jesus' authority in the judgment
    3. Balance helps us keep a proper perspective and is the example shown us by Christ.
      1. Jesus- high at Peter's confession (Matt 16,) and the centurion's expression of faith (Matt 8)
      2. Jesus- low at death of Lazarus (John 11), betrayal (Luke 22:61), own death (Mark 15:34)