For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:4-7
True gospel preachers never talk about themselves or of any imagined accomplishments that they have done in the kingdom of God. When men/women endeavor to put the servant of God on a pedestal they simply say, “Who am I, but a minister (servant) who delivered the message of Christ and Him crucified? True ministers of the gospel have been given the grace to redirect any attention given them to God alone, for it is God Who gives the increase of knowledge, faith and redemption. The only profitable thing I have to offer any sinner is the glorious message of Christ who provides everything that God requires from His elect.
Paul makes it clear and very evident that it is the message of “the Gospel of Jesus Christ” that is the blessing, not the messenger who brings it. It is God who gives the gift of Divine revelation to believing wretches, not the one who cries forth that glorious message of substitution with his voice in the wilderness. I agree that “beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace,” but infinitely more beautiful is Jesus Christ, Who is the Gospel of peace. Is he that plants the seed anything? NO, and neither is he that waters it, but God that gives the increase is everything!
David Eddmenson