Renowned Bible teachers are immediately accessible online. Thousands of their sermons are available at no charge. Some of these men speak at multiple conferences throughout the year and might even influence thousands daily.
Do you have a favorite famous Bible teacher? Have you ever considered what place he should have in your life? Consider these three guiding principles:
1. Keep learning from him.
God uses certain men in extraordinary ways for the growth of His kingdom. The Spirit is empowering their ministries uniquely. I have heard numerous testimonies of individuals who heard the gospel and came to Christ because of listening to these men while driving in their vehicles. I recall one man telling about how he became so convicted of his sin that he began weeping profusely, pulled the car over, and cried out to God for mercy.
You might testify about how God has used one of these individuals in your life, perhaps at your conversion or in helping you know Scripture and follow Christ. If you find someone’s teaching of Scripture helpful, give thanks to the Lord and keep listening. The ease of access to his sound teaching is a gift from God.
2. Love your own pastor(s) more than him.
Think about your favorite Bible teacher. Do you appreciate him more than your own pastor(s)? If so, the New Testament would encourage you to rethink your affections. Hebrews 13:7 says, “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.” That is addressed to a specific group of people who would have had in mind primarily certain past leaders from their own church — men who carefully taught them (6:1-2) and whose faith was worthy of imitating because they persevered to the end.
The emphasis in the New Testament is to love, submit to, and encourage the leaders of your own local church. Hebrews 13:17 commands, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”
We sometimes turn “big time” expositors into little idols. Not only do we “ooh” and “aah” over their speaking abilities, but we might even treat them like their word on a subject or controversial matter is infallible. These men give us quotes that are worth repeating, but there’s no need to back your simple thought or basic doctrinal statement with something they said.
Again, we praise God for certain men who know how to speak the truth in vivid and even prophetic ways, but you must not so exalt them that you belittle and take lightly the biblically qualified pastors God has placed within your own church. Respect for celebrated Bible teachers is reasonable, but appreciation for your own pastors is commanded: “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13a). Remember that your pastor does what the famous expositor cannot, like sitting with you during a crisis, and praying for you specifically and often, and agonizing over how to communicate truth to you, and rejoicing with you when you rejoice, and weeping with you when you weep.
3. Pray for him.
Imagine if thousands of people clung to your every word. Think about how important you might begin to think you are. Acclaimed Bible teachers need our prayers! “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling” (Prov. 16:18). If a famous expositor falls, the negative consequences are devastating as the name of Christ is defamed, young believers are confused, mature Christians are hurt, his family is subjected to public scorn, and a watching world says, “See, I told you you’re all a bunch of hypocrites!”
Stop even now and pray for your favorite famous Bible teacher. Pray that he would have the heart of John the Baptist who always deflected attention to the great Christ. Pray that, like the angel in Revelation 22, he would refuse to be the object of anyone’s worship, and say from his heart, “Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours. . . . Worship God” (verses 8-9). Pray that as his influence increases, so would his humility. Pray that God would protect him from deceived and destructive people who will scrutinize every word he says, seek to “catch him” in a mistake, and try to tarnish if not ruin his ministry through online platforms. Pray that he would be willing to change when he is wrong about something. Pray that, like the apostle Paul, he would not consider his life of any value, if only he would finish his course and the ministry he received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace (Acts 20:24).