To stand behind the pulpit and deliver the Word of God to the people is a most glorious looking thing in itself. Preachers get the spotlight in the sight of man, and a lot of people come to church thinking that preaching is the easiest thing to do in the world: pray, study, preach, that's it. But, no. That's not it.
A lot of people aspire to deliver the Word of God but not everyone is called to do it. To become a preacher is not as simple as it appears to be.
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? Romans 10:14-15ESV
What does how are they to preach unless they are sent mean? It means to be born with this type of calling. Everyone is called to something and there are people who are custom-made by the Lord to do this specific work in the ministry, people who are carved by the Potter to be fit to work for this kind of assignment. Anyone can speak, but not everyone can preach. The Lord is stricter on people behind the pulpit. This is the difference. We can reach out to people and do one on ones, no problem there, but we cannot just decide, "Hey, I want to preach today!" And go ahead and feel free. Every born-again believer is expected by the Lord to testify about Him, but not all behind the pulpit. As beautiful and awesome as it is, behind the pulpit is actually a terrifying place to be in.
God calls the preacher. Man does not appoint Himself; neither is he elected by others.
Not many [of you] should become teachers [serving in an official teaching capacity,] my brothers and sisters, for you know that we [who are teachers] will be judged by a higher standard [because we have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if we teach incorrectly. James 3:1AMP
It's easy to be a public speaker in the secular world. Talk about anything, no problem. People who are smart enough can do this; but it is not so in the church. People who take on the role of a preacher are subject to much more accountability, and not to man, but to God. The Lord takes His Words very seriously and the truth is that it's scary. The fear of the Lord is very evident.
Paul speaks about being judged by a higher standard. Well, the saying "practice what you preach" comes into play. Paul did it, too.
No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:27NIV
The power of any message is backed up by the messenger's very life. If you preach about not lying but lie yourself, do you think that God will be happy with you? Even in the secular world, in marketing for example, those who sell are expected to use what they are selling, otherwise, who'd buy? More condemnation if we teach incorrectly, Paul continues. The condemnation is from God and not entirely from man. The Lord expects His Words to be handled with care and represented rightfully.
This is why a person has to be called. People with the calling have the divine grace necessary to do what the Lord requires.
Therefore this is what the Lord says: "If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them. Jeremiah 15:19NIV
It's very important to take note of the words, if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Preachers in the church can't speak all holy up in the pulpit and talk foul during non-church days. Sanctification is a must. The tongue has to be tamed.
I am the Lord, that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. Isaiah 42:8NIV
A danger of standing in front of a crowd is that there's a tendency that the preacher, in his heart, can steal the glory and praise that is meant for the Lord. "You speak so well!" "You're so smart." Compliment after compliment is not unlikely to happen, and if the preacher's heart is not in the right condition, pride can come in and we know what happened to Lucifer.
Moreover, self-glorification does not justify the desire to preach. God will not let a human being take His glory.
Do you want to be a preacher? I'm not discouraging you. I'm just stating the Biblical facts about how the work is. If you're called to it, go for it. It's not easy but the grace enables the called. It's all only by the grace of God. Human effort is futile.
