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Jeremiah 5:15 – When the Preacher is on Fire
Would you say this is an accurate assessment: Most churches consider themselves like the Philippians, Thessalonians (1st letter), Smyrnians, and Philadelphians, wherein correction is not needed.
The sad reality is most churches in the 1st century needed correction, which is why so many letters were written. They also needed encouragement and information, but correction was a primary reason for individuals and the congregations (2 Timothy 3:17). The Ephesian letter is most likely a circuit letter painting a picture of the one, universal, glorious, church without spot or wrinkle; local churches are uglier!
Accepting this shouldn’t be a hard concept because it is impossible to have perfect churches made up of imperfect disciples. Since we are the church, the church is us. This doesn’t mean whatever the individual can do the church can also. It means our strengths become the church’s strength; and our weaknesses become the church’s weaknesses.
If we needs correction, if what the preacher, elder, or partner says makes us “hot under the collar”, it may be he is at fault; he too has shortcomings. However, looking in the opposite direction, here are some frightening words from God to Jeremiah about God’s people: “I am going to make My words become fire in your mouth. These people are the wood, and the fire will consume them” (Jeremiah 5:14). When a preacher is on fire, watch out!
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