The Wrong Emphasis
A.W. Pink emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing God's glory in preaching over the mere goal of conversion.
A.W. Pink emphasizes that when the conversion of sinners becomes the primary focus of a preacher, rather than the glory of God, it leads to a distortion of the truth. This misguided emphasis results in a diluted message that seeks to make conversion easier, often neglecting essential biblical truths about God's sovereignty and the necessity of the Holy Spirit's work. Pink warns that such an approach can lead to a selective interpretation of Scripture, favoring certain passages while ignoring others that convey the depth of God's election and redemption. Ultimately, this misalignment can compromise the integrity of the Gospel and the preacher's own theology.
Text
Once a man makes the conversion of sinners his prime design and all-consuming end and NOT THE GLORY OF GOD, he is exceedingly apt to adopt a wrong course. Instead of striving to preach the Truth in all its purity, he will tone it down so as to make it more palatable to the unregenerate. Impelled by a single force, moving in one fixed direction, his object is to make conversion easy; and therefore, favorite passages (like John 3:16) are dwelt upon incessantly, while others are ignored or pared away. It inevitably reacts upon his own theology; and various verses in the Word are shunned, if not repudiated.
What place will he give in his thoughts to such declarations as, "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?" (Jer. 13:23); "No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw Him" (John 6:44); "Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you" (John 15:14)?
He will be sorely tempted to modify the truth of God's sovereign election, of Christ's particular redemption, of the imperative necessity for the super-natural operations of the Holy Spirit.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The importance of God's glory in preaching - Consequences of prioritizing conversion over God's glory - The danger of diluting the truth
- II points: - The selective use of Scripture - Ignoring difficult passages - Impact on personal theology
- III points: - The temptation to modify truth - Sovereign election and its implications - The role of the Holy Spirit in conversion
Key Quotes
“Once a man makes the conversion of sinners his prime design and all-consuming end and NOT THE GLORY OF GOD, he is exceedingly apt to adopt a wrong course.” — A.W. Pink
“What place will he give in his thoughts to such declarations as, 'Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?'” — A.W. Pink
“He will be sorely tempted to modify the truth of God's sovereign election.” — A.W. Pink
Application Points
- Preach with a focus on glorifying God rather than just seeking conversions.
- Engage with all of Scripture, including challenging passages, to maintain theological integrity.
- Recognize the role of the Holy Spirit in the process of conversion and rely on His work.