I am going to share with you a message delivered by my longtime friend, Pastor Larry Hufhand—retired now at the age of 91—more than 20 years ago. I have obtained his permission to quote excerpts from the message. I do so believing that it will bless every reader, as it surely blessed me and others when he first preached it.
The text was II Samuel 12:1. Here is Pastor Hufhand’s message:
“And the Lord sent Nathan to David. Now I realize that this story is not about Nathan; it’s not about the prophet. It’s about David and his clever scheming to cover up his sin. I know that, but what I want you to see is that the full story of David’s life would have never been told, had it not been for the obedience and bravery of Nathan. God sent Nathan to David.
David would have continued on with this massive cover up, had it not been for Nathan; David would have never been called into account, had it not been for Nathan. David would never have been called a ‘man after God’s own heart’ had it not been for Nathan; David would have never been the ‘Sweet Psalmist of Israel’ had it not been for Nathan. You see, in a real sense, Nathan carried in his pocket the keys of the kingdom; and had he not answered the call of God when he did, to unlock the door to David’s sin, I shudder to think what might have happened to Israel down the road. So the Lord sent Nathan unto David.
That’s how it always begins. A man falls into a pit and breaks his leg. He has to have help in getting out. It’s useless to expect him to climb out by himself. He must have the help of another. So it was with David. David had sinned a great sin, and his moral backbone was broken; and if he was going to get out of the slime pit of his moral dilemma, someone was going to have to come along and help him out.
God sent Nathan to David. As I pondered the life of this prophet, I was impressed by three things: 1) He was under orders; 2) He was expendable; 3) He was going to have to give an account to God. Let me point out two things that give value to the Man of God.
First of all, his value is seen in what he does; secondly, his value is seen in how he musters the forces.
(Side note: Let me make something clear to you this morning: being a pastor is not a 40-hour-a-week job. It is not five days a week, starting at 9 and ending at 5. Most of the time it is 10, 12, 14 hours a day, and he’s always on call, 24/7. Even when he takes a day or two off, you’re not out of his mind).
A. He speaks unto you the Word of God. Whatever else a church has to offer, nothing even comes close to this. When this preacher opens his Bible and speaks unto you the Word of God, he is speaking with the same authority as if it were God Himself speaking to you. You may argue with his opinions; you may even debate some of his conclusions, but when he expounds to you the Word of God, there is no debate there.
Now I realize that music plays an important role in a church. We love music (choirs, ensembles, trios, duets and solos). We like all of it…but you don’t come here for the music, you don’t come here to hear the choir sing.
You come for the preaching. You come to hear the Man of God open this Book and preach unto you the Word of God. Why? I’ll tell you why. Because it pleases God by the foolishness of preaching to save them who are lost. Listen folk, it is the Word of God that is quick and powerful; that’s why you come here. You come for the preaching.
B. He watches over your souls. Well, first of all, that is a 24/7 responsibility. Have you ever considered that word ‘watch’? It comes from two Greek words that mean ‘to chase away sleep.’ The idea is that he dare not get sidetracked or distracted by other things. He’s got to stay focused, watching over your souls. Why? I’ll tell you why…because sheep can get themselves in trouble; they are easily led astray. They can get lost in a minute. They’re like children; sometimes they find themselves in places and situations they can’t get out of.”
Editor’s note: I cannot share this message in its entirety because of space limitations; however, I would be glad to mail you a complete copy upon request. Dr. Hufhand pastored the First Baptist Church of Tipton, Indiana, for 45 years. He also helped create the Indiana Fundamental Baptist Fellowship of Churches and served as its president for multiple terms, and he authored several books. Anyone wishing to contact Dr. Hufhand should reply with a request to do so, and I will forward his contact information. He has been a faithful servant of His Lord and Savior for many decades—and remains so at this present hour.
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ…preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” (2 Tim. 4:1,2)