The Sacred Pulpit: Who Should Preach And Who Shouldn’t?

The pulpit is not just a stage. It is an altar where heaven touches earth, where divine truth is declared, and where lives are transformed. It is a place of authority, consecration, and responsibility. Preaching is not a mere activity but a sacred assignment that carries eternal weight. Those who mount the pulpit are not just speakers. They are vessels through whom God releases His will to humanity.

But the question remains. Who is truly qualified to mount the pulpit and preach the sermon?

In today’s world, many stand behind the pulpit, yet only a few are genuinely called by God. Some have taken up the microphone out of personal ambition rather than divine commission. Others preach motivational messages, filled with human wisdom but devoid of the Holy Spirit’s power. There are those who view the pulpit as a career path rather than a calling, seeking applause rather than souls.

The Bible does not leave us without guidance on this matter. From Genesis to Revelation, the Scriptures provide clear qualifications for those who should proclaim the Gospel. If you are a pastor, an aspiring minister, or a believer seeking to understand what God requires of His messengers, this article will unveil the biblical, spiritual, and moral standards necessary to stand on the altar of God.

1. The Divine Calling: A Man or Woman Sent by God

Preaching is not for everyone. It is for those whom God has called, commissioned, and sent. Without a divine calling, no one should assume the role of a preacher. The pulpit is not a platform for personal expression but a place of divine proclamation.

In the book of Jeremiah 1:5, God speaks directly to the prophet, saying:

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

This reveals that true preachers are not self-appointed. They are divinely chosen. Throughout the Bible, God’s pattern remains the same. He calls men and women to Himself before sending them to the nations.

Moses was called through the burning bush. He did not wake up one morning and decide to lead Israel. It was God who chose him, equipped him, and sent him to Pharaoh with a message of deliverance. Isaiah had a life-altering vision of God’s glory in the temple. When he saw the Lord, high and lifted up, he realised his own unworthiness. It was only after God purified him that he could respond, saying, “Here am I. Send me.”

In the New Testament, Paul was not a volunteer preacher. He was divinely arrested on the road to Damascus. Before that encounter, he was a persecutor of the Church. But when Jesus appeared to him, he was transformed from an enemy of the Gospel into one of its greatest messengers.

Anyone who desires to mount the pulpit must first answer this question. Have you been called by God, or are you merely following personal ambition?

2. A Life of Holiness and Integrity

A preacher’s life must align with the message they preach. The world does not just listen to sermons. It watches how preachers live. The power of a message is not in the eloquence of speech but in the integrity of the messenger.

1 Timothy 3:2–7 outlines the character requirements for a leader in the church:

“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behaviour, hospitable, able to teach… not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous.”

A preacher must be a living example of Christ, both on and off the pulpit. Hypocrisy has destroyed the credibility of many ministries. Jesus warned in Matthew 7:15-16, saying:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.”

Many years ago, a well-known evangelist shook the world with his fiery preaching. Stadiums were filled. Thousands gave their lives to Christ. But behind the scenes, his private life was in disarray. Eventually, his sins were exposed, and his ministry collapsed. The fall of one preacher caused many to stumble. It became clear that charisma without character is dangerous.

True preachers must live in holiness. Their personal lives must not contradict the message they proclaim. They must not be driven by fame, money, or personal gain.

3. Sound Doctrine and Biblical Knowledge

Preaching is not about opinions. It is about declaring the Word of God with accuracy and truth. Paul instructed in 2 Timothy 2:15, saying:

“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

A preacher must be well-grounded in Scripture. False teachings have infiltrated the church because many preachers twist the Word to suit personal desires. Some focus on prosperity while neglecting holiness. Others preach grace but ignore repentance. True preachers must rightly divide the Word of Truth.

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, was once approached by a man who said, “Sir, I believe God has called me to preach.” Wesley asked, “What have you been studying?” The man replied, “I do not study much. I rely on the Holy Spirit to speak through me.” Wesley responded, “Then, sir, you are mistaken. The Holy Spirit does not anoint ignorance.”

A preacher must be devoted to studying the Word. The Bible must be the foundation of every sermon. If a preacher does not know the Word, they will mislead an entire generation.

4. A Heart for Souls and the Mission of Christ

Preaching is not about gaining a following. It is about bringing people to Christ and advancing God’s kingdom. Jesus declared in Luke 4:18-19:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because He has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”

A preacher must carry the burden of Christ. The focus should not be on entertainment, financial gain, or popularity. It should be on winning souls and making disciples.

5. Empowered by the Holy Spirit

No one should mount the pulpit without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Jesus commanded in Acts 1:8:

“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me.”

The Holy Spirit is the one who empowers preachers to speak with divine authority. Without Him, sermons are lifeless. The early apostles waited for the Holy Spirit before beginning their ministry. Today, preachers must do the same.

Who Should Not Mount the Pulpit?

The following individuals should not preach:

The uncalled—those who have not received a divine mandate.

The doctrinally unsound—those who twist Scripture for personal gain.

The morally corrupt—those who live in hypocrisy.

The unprepared—those who do not study the Word.

The spiritually dead—those who preach without the Holy Spirit.

See Also: Elisabeth Elliot: The Life Of A Missionary On God’s Mission

Conclusion: Are You Called to Preach?

If you feel the call to preach, ask yourself:

Has God called me?

Am I living in holiness?

Do I rightly handle the Word of God?

Am I Spirit-filled and anointed?

Do I carry a burden for souls?

If your answer is yes, then prepare yourself for the sacred task ahead. If not, seek God’s direction before stepping into the pulpit.

 

 

 

 

 

Content Credit| Adesina Olalekan O.

Picture Credit | https://www.texanonline.net/