Pray the word with David Platt as a resource from Radical.net.

You keep reading on later in the chapter and verses 22 and 23.

Basically describe how those who were doing righteous deeds were being spoken against

and those who were doing wicked deeds were being encouraged.

Basically, people were claiming to proclaim God's word when they were not proclaiming God's word.

Is that possible today?

Is it possible for leaders in churches to lead God's people

not according to God's word or is it possible for any one of us to hold back God's word

when God is calling us to warn someone about sin or to hold back God's word when God is

calling us to encourage someone in righteousness.

The picture of the prophet was in a sense very simple in the Old Testament.

Hear the word of God and proclaim the word of God.

And followers of Jesus today are not necessarily prophets in every way that people were in the Old

Testament. At the same time, we have been given the same responsibility certainly as leaders in

the church. I'm actually preaching on this this Sunday that the church is grounded on biblical

teaching and preaching that my responsibility as a pastor is to show that everything I'm saying

is coming from God in his word. And I know that I will be held accountable for that.

At the same time, we all have the word of God. We all have opportunities today to speak the word

of God into others' lives. So let's make sure we're doing so faithfully whether as leaders in the

church or as followers of Jesus building up the church and leading people to Jesus God to help us

all to faithfully share, proclaim, declare your word. God, I pray for every leader in the church

who's listening to this. Even as I pray for my own life, God, please help us to not stand up and

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