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Short Sermon #45: SENT BY GOD - Christian soul-food blogs

"Paul, an apostle - sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father." - Galatians 1 Verse 1 (NIV)

Paul could state, with all knowledge and all confidence, that he was a man sent not from men, nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father. Indeed, the events that took place on the road to Damascus, the work of God that Paul went on to do and the manner in which he carried himself in life, testify to this.

Some preachers are sent by men, some send themselves and some are sent by Jesus Christ and God the Father.

My view is that it's always best to be sent by Jesus Christ and God the Father.

I, however, believe that even those who are sent by men, or those who sent themselves, can also make a significant impact in the preaching of the Word. Paul knew this. Here is what he said at some point: "It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love... The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely... But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached" - Philippians 1:15-18 (NIV).

In my view, the difference between those called by God and those who come by other routes is on the depth of understanding of the Word of God and the tendency, by the latter, to want to please people, or themselves, at the expense of the truth.

Look at this: "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" - Galatians 1:10 (NIV).

So those who preach Christ from false motives will serve God one minute and the next minute they will be serving their other motives; they might even do it simultaneously.

You need to examine your motives at every turn.
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