Do We Have To "Rock The Boat" In Our Preaching?

A few years ago, a church member asked me, "Is it a sinful practice when preachers withhold plain Bible teaching regarding a sinful practice that exists in a congregation, just because they don't want to "rock the boat?"

The apostle Paul implies that it is in 1 Corinthians 5:1-2 NIV (see commentary), because it shows a lack of concern for the souls of men, and those that do so, will be held accountable (Ezekiel 3:18,33:6). Paul reminded the Ephesians elders that when he preached, he had "kept back nothing" that was profitable to them (Acts 20:20).

If we truly love men's souls, can we as faithful Christians, do any less than the inspired apostle Paul and still be approved of God?

In John 15:15 KJV, our Lord stated that disciples are His "friends." The reason being, "for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." Our Lord withheld nothing from His followers pertaining to the saving gospel of Christ. Peter declares that through the knowledge of Christ, we have been given "all things that pertain unto life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3 KJV).

A gospel that is preached and taught "in part," is a defective gospel. Absolutely no one can be saved by hearing a "partial" gospel. This is exactly why Paul exhorted the young preacher, Timothy, to "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine, For the time will come when they will not endure sound [healthy] doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Timothy 4:2-4 KJV).

Dear reader, the Scriptures make it clear that we are to teach and preach the "whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27 ASV). We are to preach it whenever folks want to hear it ("in season"), and preach it whenever folks don't want to hear it ("out of season" - 2 Timothy 4:2-4 KJV). Yes, we'll have to "rock the boat" in our preaching, and some folks will be offended! (cf. Acts 7:51-58).

Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets

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