The Bottom Line

"It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry,

but others out of goodwill.

The latter do so out of love,

knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.

The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition,

not sincerely,

supposing that they can stir up trouble for me

while I am in chains.

But what does it matter?

The important thing is that in every way,

whether from false motives or true,

Christ is preached.

Because of this I rejoice."

Philippians 1:15-18

His name was widely known throughout the world.  He worked hard; not so much to further God's kingdom but mostly to build an empire for himself.  Upon every advertisement for his ministry appeared his photo and credentials.  Everything seemed to be about him and his following.

Even though this preacher gave the impression that he was all about fame and fortune, setting himself against the values portrayed in the Word of God, there was one thing that could not be disputed:  This man preached of Christ and Him crucified.  Whether people came to his church because they were drawn by the luxurious surrounding or simply wanted to be a part of a popular movement, they all heard the Gospel preached.  

It is easy to be irritated or turned off by such displays of greed and worldly values, but God can use even people whose hearts are in the wrong place to further His kingdom through the preaching of the Gospel of Christ.  Of this we can rejoice!

Personality

By all accounts he was conceited, demanding and overconfident.  He thought the world was his for the taking; there for his benefit.  Whatever he desired, he expected to receive.  In short, he was a pompous, arrogant brat.

Despite his grating personality, Samson was God's chosen tool to bring judgment upon the Philistines.  (Judges 14:4, 15:14-15)  God can use anyone to accomplish His mission, not just the pleasant, likable people.  

Sometimes, the Lord uses those with outrageous behavior, annoying traits or even subdued styles.  Whatever the approach used, however, the only thing that matters is whether or not the truth of the good news of Jesus Christ is proclaimed.  This must be my prime focus.  

I must be on guard because there are instances when I am in danger of being blinded to an untruth.  This occurs when I'm captivated by a charming performer, paying more attention to the persona of the one speaking and completely overlooking the message he is sending.

The bottom line is the message that is being delivered, not the personality of the one who communicates it.

Mode

God used many means to deliver his messages to His people as recorded in the Bible.  Sometimes He used a prophet to do strange things like lie on his side for 390 days as a symbol and sign to the nation of Israel.  (Ezekiel 4:4-5)  Other times He sent His angels to deliver important messages like when Gabriel appeared before Mary and Joseph to inform them of Jesus' upcoming birth.  (Luke 1:26-38,  Matthew 1:20-25)  There were even times when God spoke directly to man like when He gave the law to Moses.  (Exodus 20-31)  Whatever the mode He chose, however, the message was still from God.

It is no different than today.  Sometimes God uses great preachers who command a stadium filled with thousands while other times He speaks to the heart of the listener.  Whichever way He chooses, the result is the same: the message of truth is proclaimed.  

It is my job to focus on the content and not get carried away with paying too much attention to how it's delivered.  Sometimes, I can be impressed with large numbers and flashy styles and forget to listen for substance.

The bottom line is the message that is being delivered, not the mode God uses to convey it.

Method

Sometimes they preached the coming of the kingdom of God to large crowds while other times they taught the scripture, sparking a deep, philosophical discussion.  Many times, though, they spoke one-on-one to the people who had gathered around them.  Whichever method they used, the Apostles communicated the message of the Gospel across to those who were interested.  (Acts 2-4, 7-8)

Today, the good news of Jesus Christ is also passed on using different methods.  Some may prefer using a personal testimony as they proclaim the message of Jesus Christ's sacrifice that saves us from eternal death through faith, illustrating the change He has made in their lives.    Other times, a specific technique may be used to take someone through a series of scriptures that lead them to a certain conclusion about Jesus.  Many times a deliverer simply trust in God's Spirit to supply the words that will touch others, leading them to Christ.

Whichever method is used, the bottom line is that the message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified is expressed.

It is easy for me to discount the ministry of some because their personality is not to my liking, the mode they use seems too complicated or showy, or the method is not what I would use.  Instead of judging their style as wrong or getting caught up in style instead of content, I can take on the attitude of Paul and say, no matter the motive, I will rejoice that Christ and Him crucified is preached!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God to convey the Gospel using whichever vessel He chooses.

How do I work against the Gospel in the way I disregard certain believers because I don't like their personality or method?

When can I better support the preaching of the Gospel despite the chosen vessel God is using?