Daily EncouragementSample

John the Baptist was replying to some of his disciples who had reported on the ministry of Jesus, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan - the one you testified about - well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him” (John 3:26).

The source of truly effective, authoritative spiritual ministry is God himself. Ordination services have their place, and can have a moving effect upon those involved. George Whitefield said of his ordination that he felt as if he had “received a commission from the Spirit Himself.” But human hands cannot make ministers of the word - they can only set apart those whom God has already appointed. The only indispensable ordination is from heaven.

To recognize this truth is the death of envy and jealousy among those called to preach and blessed with response from the listening crowd. Envy was hardly a temptation for John, for he knew Jesus to be “the one who comes from heaven.” With other men it is different, and the carnal crowd are not above feeding the flame of jealousy. They inevitably compare Paul and Peter and Apollos. So preachers should take care how they listen to other preachers, and should particularly avoid making negative comments about their fellow-preachers to the critical crowd.