Famous for Preaching the Gospel
Early this morning, while sipping coffee at Peet’s and working my way through 2 Corinthians, I came across this wonderful verse:
With him [Titus] we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. -2 Cor 8:18
What a way to be identified–as a man famous for his preaching of the gospel!
Preachers, in our calling we face the temptation towards fame and self-glory, measuring our preaching by how much self-fame it generates among those who listen to us. Let us flee this temptation and, like the brother mentioned above (do we know who this verse is referring to, I haven’t researched this?), pursue a healthy fame: being known and identified as a brother who preaches the gospel skillfully, all to make Jesus increasingly famous.
Great comment about resisting the temptation towards fame and self glory and towards making JESUS famous. Sometimes I think that some churches (along with their websites/blogs) seek to make THEMSELVES famous whereby all the arrows point to the person in the pulpit and away from Christ and His cross.
Interesting that we don’t know his name now. We just know him as “the brother…”
I relate to this one a lot. Not only is this a temptation for Pastors or church’s but for people working in secular work places. Especially business.
I think the reason it’s so shocking and egregious that Pastors fall into this trap is because they are supposed to have dedicated their lives to preaching the Gospel… elevating Christ at the work place rather than themselves.
I would argue that average people all made that same dedication when they chose to follow Christ. That we should have the same expectations rather than believing “it’s OK to push for self glory because that is the nature of industry I’ve chosen.”.
The industry we’ve chosen is the Gospel.
Brilliant. I have spent a lot of time in 2nd Cor. And never noticed that.