Building With Old Stones
But I want to share some thoughts about old preachers who were in the middle of the gospel spotlight but then fell from grace at the end. You see, I am thinking of two preachers in particular whose audio sermons were spread quite widely. I listened to a lot of the preaching and teaching and learned a lot from these men. I’m referring to a preacher from Northern Ireland called Willie Mullan and an American preacher who came from India, Ravi Zacharias.
These men were great speakers in their respective days. I learned a lot from listening to their ministries both on audio cassette and internet streaming videos. Willie Mullan took his own life. And Ravi Zacharias passed from cancer. But afterwards allegations of immoral and inappropriate conduct came out against both of these men.
But the dilemma I have is this - What do I do about the old sermons and seminars from them that I enjoyed in the past? I learned so much from their teachings.
I am reminded of the Old Testament books of Nehemiah and Ezra. These two books run parallel to each other. Between the years of 538-450BC the Children of Israel were granted their freedom from Babylon and King Nebuchadnezzar made provisions for them to return to Jerusalem. Remember the old Boney-M disco song, “By the Rivers of Babylon. Where We Sat down?” That was the Israelites singing about their old homeland as they lamented being held as slaves and yearned to go home. The words are recorded in Psalm 137.
When the Israelites finally got back to Jerusalem (Zion), Ezra took charge of rebuilding the Temple and Nehemiah took charge of rebuilding the City walls. But they re-used the old stones and wooden structures that had fallen after the city was defeated years before. Nehemiah Ch’s 2 and 3 go into this rebuilding in great detail.
Proverbs Ch3 (1)My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;
Isaiah Ch58 (12)Those from among you shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.
Remember after Moses’ return from the wilderness? And walked right into the courts of Pharaoh to demand the release of the Children of Israel? Everyone was humoured at first. Everyone thought that Moses was either a joke or was mad. That was until the plagues came and people started dying. But no one remembered the fact that Moses murdered two men 40 years before.
Remember after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged for her husband’s death in battle? She should have been stoned according to Hebrew Law. But her husband died a hero’s death in battle while David ordered all the other Captains to retreat leaving Uriah to fight the battle alone. He died there. Yet David is still regarded as Israel’s greatest King.
So I listen to the old sermons of these fallen preachers. At the time of their preaching these sermons were prayed over, incorporated into praise services and blessed many people. Has that blessing been withdrawn simply because the men that preached them fell from grace in later years? I don’t believe so. God’s blessing might have been withdrawn from the preacher but God’s teachings still stand secure. I believe that His blessing is still on their teachings now.
Isaiah Ch61 (3)“…console those who mourn in Zion, give them beauty for ashes, give them the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness They will be the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." (4)And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations.
Jeremiah Ch6 (16)Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls.
Tell me the story slowly, that I may take it in.
That wonderful redemption, God's remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often, for I forget so soon.
The "early dew" of morning has passed away at noon.
Tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story,
Of Jesus and His love.
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