A few years ago, I was in a Church service, and in the presentation of  the speaker’s message, the minister mentioned that we should place more importance on a “message” “than on a messenger.”  I’ve thought about this off and on since then, and I’ve concluded that he was absolutely right.  Of course he was referring to human messengers.

We all know that Jesus Christ was the chief messenger, and not only the chief messenger, but a perfect messenger.  Since He is perfect, his message is also perfect.  He is the Word of God and the Word of God is truth ( John 17:17).

I am sure that most of us have listened to sermons by human messengers and occasionally we might hear that messenger say something that we might not agree with or maybe he made an unintentional mistake.  I know that I’ve not only heard this done in the past, but I’ve also done it myself.  So what do we do when this happens?  Do we immediately label that minister as a false prophet, or do we just overlook it and move on? What example can we follow fro the word of God?   The best example that I can think of and one that I recommend is in Acts 17:11 speaking of those in Berea,  “---those were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether these thing were so.”

Let’s consider what was said here. These Bereans were willing to hear a message, they obviously had certain understanding of the scriptures. They knew that the word of God was truth.  Therefore, they knew that if a message did not “ stack-up” with the scriptures, then it was not true.  On the other hand, if it did “stack-up” with the scriptures, then the message was true.  He said that these  people were more noble than those in Thessalonica because they searched the scriptures to see if a message was true or not.  Possibly, those in Thessalonica were not as diligent to do this.

So what about us? Are we Bereans or Thessalonicans?  Would we be able to recognize a simple mistake as opposed to a false doctrine being taught?After all, we are warned to be aware of false prophets, false doctrine and deception.  The only way that we can know the difference is if we search the scriptures daily.

Paul admonished the Thessalonians to prove all things and hold fast to the truth  (what is good, I Thes. 5:21) We have already seen that this is done by scripture.  Now we must ask---- which do we regard as more important, the Message or the Messenger?

Over the years we have heard powerful messages, and we have heard some not so powerful.  We have heard dynamic speakers and we have heard some not so dynamic.  Which do we consider the most important, a dynamic speaker with a mediocre message-- or a mediocre  speaker with a dynamic message?

Notice what is said in I Cor. 2:1  “ and I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.”  Paul admitted to the Corinthians, that he was not a dynamic speaker, but the testimony of God was a dynamic message!  Verse -4  “ and my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” Let’s continue in verse –5 “ that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”

As Paul grew in grace  and knowledge, he also grew in his ability to become a powerful messenger.   

II Cor, 4:1-2  “ Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not. But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in  craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every main  conscience in the sight of  God.

I remember many, many years ago, a short adage in the ‘Readers Digest’ that in essence said: “ most people study the Bible to find where it agrees with them.”   I believe that there is a lot of truth in that adage.

As we search the scriptures, let’s remember---there are two ways to do this: (1  we can search the scriptures to support what we already believe, or  (2 we can search diligently for truth. 

If a messenger brings a true message that can be clearly identified in scripture, then we can accept both. “ The Message and the Messenger.”

 ~ Neil Wroten