- A Solemn Warning Every Christian Must Hear
One of the greatest dangers in the Christian life is becoming so focused on ministering to others that we neglect our own spiritual condition. It is possible to preach powerful sermons, teach Bible studies, lead prayer meetings, and even influence many lives, yet slowly drift away from intimate fellowship with God.
Jesus repeatedly warned His followers against hypocrisy. Before correcting others, we must first allow God's Word to examine and transform our own hearts. Every message we preach should first become a message we personally live
A MINISTRY TEST OF THE HEART
True-Life Story
Several years ago, a young church worker quickly became one of the most admired members of his congregation. He was gifted in teaching the Bible, led prayer meetings, organized evangelism outreaches, and many people looked up to him as a spiritual example.
Every time he stood behind the pulpit, people were blessed by his messages. He preached passionately about holiness, repentance, and living a life that pleased God. Many church members even testified that his sermons had strengthened their faith.
THE HIDDEN STRUGGLE BEHIND THE PULPIT
Yet behind the scenes, his personal walk with God was slowly fading.
His prayer life became inconsistent. He rarely studied the Bible except when preparing sermons. Secretly, he struggled with bitterness toward another church leader after a disagreement. Instead of dealing with it before God, he buried it beneath his busy ministry schedule.
As time passed, he became more concerned about preparing messages than preparing his own heart. He could preach with boldness on Sunday while neglecting his relationship with Christ throughout the week.
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A MOMENT OF CONVICTION
One evening, after ministering at a revival service where many people responded to the Gospel, he returned home expecting to feel fulfilled. Instead, he felt empty. As he knelt to pray, one question kept echoing in his heart:
"You have preached to many people today, but when was the last time you allowed My Word to preach to you?"
He broke down in tears.
A RETURN TO AUTHENTIC FELLOWSHIP
That night, he realized he had become busy working for God while neglecting to walk with God. He confessed his pride, repented of his bitterness, restored his prayer life, and sought reconciliation with the brother he had avoided for months.
His ministry did not become smaller after that—it became more genuine.
From that day forward, he adopted one personal rule:
"Before I preach any sermon to others, I must first allow that sermon to transform my own life."
That simple decision changed not only his ministry but also his relationship with God.
THE DANGER OF PREACHING WHAT WE DO NOT PRACTICE
It is a tragedy when someone passionately warns others about eternal judgment while ignoring the condition of his or her own soul.
- It is heartbreaking to preach modesty while secretly entertaining pride, impurity, or sinful desires.
- It is inconsistent to condemn sexual immorality publicly while privately nurturing lust through immoral conversations, pornography, or unholy habits.
- Likewise, it is contradictory to preach love, forgiveness, and unity while holding onto bitterness, unforgiveness, or hatred toward another person.
God is not only interested in what we say from the pulpit. He is deeply concerned with who we are when no one is watching.
Jesus said:
"These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me." — Matthew 15:8
MINISTRY IS NEVER A SUBSTITUTE FOR HOLINESS
Some believers mistakenly assume that active ministry automatically reflects spiritual maturity.
Serving God is a privilege, but ministry cannot replace obedience.
The Bible teaches that our relationship with Christ must come before our service for Christ.
Jesus gave this sobering warning:
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven." — Matthew 7:21
The Christian life is not merely about preaching sermons, leading worship, giving offerings, evangelizing, or serving in church. These are important acts of obedience, but they must flow from a heart that truly knows and follows Christ.
FIRST PREACH EVERY SERMON TO YOURSELF
One of the wisest disciplines any Christian leader can develop is self-examination.
Before speaking God's Word to others, ask yourself:
- If I preach about holiness, am I pursuing holiness?
- If I preach about heaven, am I living with eternity in view?
- If I preach about love, have I forgiven those who hurt me?
- If I preach about faith, do I trust God during my own trials?
- If I preach repentance, am I quick to repent when God convicts me?
The Apostle Paul understood this responsibility. He wrote:
"I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." — 1 Corinthians 9:27
Paul's concern was not merely delivering sermons but remaining faithful to Christ.
WORKING FOR GOD IS DIFFERENT FROM WALKING WITH GOD
There is an important difference between working for God and walking with God.
Many people become busy with ministry activities while neglecting personal prayer, Bible study, repentance, and daily fellowship with Christ.
God desires both faithful service and faithful fellowship.
The Bible says of Enoch:
"Enoch walked with God." — Genesis 5:24
His greatest testimony was not the number of sermons he preached but the closeness of his relationship with God.
A believer who walks with God serves from a transformed heart rather than from mere religious duty.
THE BOOK OF LIFE MATTERS MOST
The Bible teaches that our greatest priority is not earthly recognition but eternal life with Christ.
Revelation 20:15 gives this solemn warning:
"Anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire."
This passage reminds believers to examine themselves continually and to remain faithful to Jesus Christ.
Ministry achievements, titles, popularity, and public recognition cannot replace genuine faith, repentance, and perseverance in following Christ.
A PERSONAL QUESTION EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD ANSWER
After preaching, teaching, counseling, or serving others, every believer should honestly ask:
What will my personal gain be if I help many people yet neglect my own walk with God?
This is not a question meant to produce fear but to encourage sincere self-examination.
Scripture urges us:
"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves." — 2 Corinthians 13:5
A healthy Christian life is one that continually returns to Christ in humility, repentance, and obedience.
CONCLUSION
God is looking for believers whose private lives reflect the messages they publicly proclaim.
The most powerful sermon is not merely one that is preached from a pulpit but one that is first lived in everyday life.
Before calling others to repentance, let us first repent.
Before encouraging others to pursue holiness, let us pursue holiness ourselves.
Before teaching others to walk with God, let us faithfully walk with Him each day.
May our lives become living testimonies of the Gospel we proclaim.
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A MOMENT OF REFLECTION
Pause for a few moments and honestly ask yourself:
- If today were my last day on earth, would my private life match my public profession of faith?
- Am I simply busy serving God, or am I genuinely walking with Him?
Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart, reveal anything that displeases God, and give you the grace to live what you preach.
A transformed life will always speak louder than the finest sermon.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS EXAMINE THESELVES BEFORE PREACHING?
Because Scripture encourages believers to test themselves and ensure their lives reflect the truth they proclaim (2 Corinthians 13:5).
2. CAN SOMEONE SERVE IN MINISTRY AND STILL NEGLECT THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?
Yes. It is possible to be active in ministry while neglecting personal prayer, repentance, and fellowship with God. That is why continual self-examination is essential.
3. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT LIVING WHAT WE PREACH?
The Bible calls believers to be doers of God's Word and not hearers only (James 1:22). Authentic Christian living gives credibility to the message we proclaim
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SALVATION MESSAGE
If you wish to escape the eternal fiery burning torment of HELLL FIRE inorder to make HEAVEN, you must accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal saviour today because tomorrow is never promised. You must restitute and confess all your sin unto God and also ensure you joined “ a Bible Believing Church for more spiritual growth” However, if you are a Christian and still indulges into various kinds of sins such as......
Envy, anger, unforgiveness, lying, hatred, malice, murmuring, gossiping, stealing, taking or giving bribe, exams malpractice, fraud, smuggling and robbery. Perhaps you into masturbation, fornication, adultery, prostitution, Lusting after MONEY and SEX, abortion, lesbianism, homosexuality, kidnapping, ritual killings and assassination; You must confess and repent today.
Perhaps you into drunkenness, fighting and quarreling, alcoholism, smokers, divorcee, polygamous marriage, occultism. Consultaton of native doctors for charms making. PRAYING in the name of MARY or any Saints or Angels, BOWING DOWN or HONORING THEM. You must renounce all these abominables and plead for God's mercy
Perhaps as a Woman you still given-in into vile affection "CHANGING THE NATURAL USE OF YOUR BODY INTO THAT WHICH IS AGAINST NATURE" Therefore indulging yourself into worldly fashions, dressing in transparent clothes, wearing of mini and tightly skirts or WEARING OF TROUSERS (pant). Exposing your breast, lapse to seduce men. Painting lips, fixing attachments, weave-on, jewelries and earrings. Making-up, putting on extra eye lashes, piercing of noses, tattoos, nails fixing and body bleaching
You must repent, dispose and burnt them off and ensure you maintain your natural beauty because unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Remember; your soul is precious and was costly purchase by the Blood of Jesus Christ and you can't afford to lose "yours" in Hell for the next billions and trillions of years in ETERNITY with eternal sorrow, tears, anguish and hopeless of ever coming-out due to mere pleasure and fashion of this world that PASSETH-AWAY which you can easily forsakes NOW and run to Heaven.
Oh Heaven; a place of an everlasting joy, without tears, sorrow and neither pains but rather filled with happiness and God's glory. Please my beloved, "Don't Miss Heaven" and I pray to see you in that Glorious City very soon. Please Say Below short prayer and get right with God today.
CONFESSION AND ACCEPTANCE OF CHRIST
Dear Lord Jesus Christ; I admit that I am a sinner. I have done many things that don’t please you. I have lived my life for myself only. I am sorry, and I repent. I ask you to forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross for me, to save me.
You did what I could not do for myself. I come to you now and ask you to take control of my life; I give it to you. From this day forward, help me to live every day for you and in a way that pleases you. I love you, Lord Jesus, and I thank you that I will spend all eternity with you in Jesus name i pray. Amen
