The issue God encounters with the preacher, Part one: He imparts knowledge rather than embodying it, yet those he teaches are unaware of this.
Gashugi Yves 
In the church, where believers gather for prayer services and the time for studying the Word of God (the Sermon period) concludes, many preachers often call for repentance. When individuals respond to this call for repentance, the congregation typically responds with gratitude, thanking God for seeking and saving the lost. However, imagine how you would feel if the believers sitting beside you express sadness or anger towards those who repent of their sins?
Furthermore, consider how you would feel if the preacher who teaches the congregation appears to be arguing and unhappy about people repenting their sins. Such behavior might indeed leave you feeling puzzled and concerned.
The issue God encounters with the preacher
But it displeased Jonah exceedingly and he was very angry. And he prayed to the Lord and said, I pray You, O Lord, is not this just what I said when I was still in my country? That is why I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and [when sinners turn to you and meet your conditions] you revoke the [sentence of] evil against them (Jonah 4:1-2 “Amplified Bible Classic Edition”).
Encountering a preacher reminiscent of Jonah, who imparts teachings on the mercy and faithfulness of God, assures me that everyone would regard him as an expert in articulating and conveying the concept of God’s mercy.
Does Jonah teach the love he possesses?
Jonah taught the love of the written word (Preacher of the written word) rather than the love of living it out (lifestyle).
If Jonah embraced love as a way of life rather than just a concept, he might have thanked God for saving the people of Nineveh through their repentance. Many preachers are given the platform to speak, yet they often share not from their own lived experiences, but merely from what they have read or learned.
This is the predicament that God faces with His ministers, and it grieves Him to witness the joy of the people of Nineveh upon hearing the preached message, believing it brings salvation from destruction. Yet, they were unaware that the preacher lacked genuine love for them and did not perceive their need for salvation (The people remained unaware because the preacher conveyed what he knew rather than embodying who he was).
The desire of God for ministers/preachers
But I have prayed [especially] for you [Peter], that your faith [and confidence in me] may not fail; and you, once you have turned back again [to me], strengthen and support your brothers [in the faith]. (Luke 22:32 “AMP”).
The words spoken by Jesus to his disciple Peter serve as a profound reminder that personal transformation is integral to effective ministry. Peter’s own journey of faith, from faltering to steadfastness, illustrates the power of experiencing transformation firsthand and then sharing that transformative experience with others. This emphasizes the importance of preaching from a place of personal change rather than simply imparting knowledge. In essence, ministers must undergo their own transformation before endeavoring to facilitate change in others.
While memorizing scripture is beneficial, true understanding and knowing of God’s will come through being transformed by the truths found in the Holy Scriptures. Mere memorization falls short of the depth of knowledge that God desires for us. Instead, God calls us to embody the principles and teachings of scripture, allowing them to shape us into living reflections of His Word.
Jonah’s message to the people of Nineveh focused solely on impending destruction, neglecting to convey God’s message of forgiveness and mercy. Despite the Ninevites’ repentance and subsequent salvation, Jonah’s lack of genuine love for them is evident, tainted by his own bitterness. This highlights the importance of preaching messages rooted in personal transformation and genuine love, rather than conveying knowledge devoid of heartfelt conviction.
Lessons for the Contemporary Church: Drawing Wisdom from the Story of Jonah
Reflecting on the story of Jonah offers profound lessons for the contemporary church. Are we, as ministers, preachers, evangelists, and pastors, proclaiming messages that we ourselves have not fully embraced or experienced, or are we declaring the transformative power of what has changed us?
The contemporary church often mirrors Jonah’s initial reluctance to extend God’s mercy to those deemed unworthy. Yet, just as God was moved by Nineveh’s repentance (Jonah 4:11), He is deeply saddened by the lost state of sinners today. What God seeks from the contemporary church is a heart aligned with His own, one that shares His sorrow for those perishing and responds to His call to proclaim both the gravity of sin and the boundless mercy available to sinners.
In reflecting on the statement that the eleven disciples represent one of the greatest gifts Jesus left to the world after salvation, believers are called to recognize their essential role as ambassadors of light. Just as God has kept us in the world to shine forth His truth and offer the healing balm of transformation, we are tasked with sharing the remedies that have changed us.
However, Ecclesiastes warns us that someone may have power over dangerous snakes. But that will not help him if the snake bites him first (Ecclesiastes 10:11). Likewise, Paul’s admonition in 1 Corinthians 9:27 underscores the necessity of discipline and integrity in our service to others. Just as he trained his body to align with his preaching, we too must embody the truths we proclaim, ensuring that our actions align with our words.
