Simple Answer: No
No! “We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord.”
What do we have to say about ourselves? Are we not worms, dead dogs, unprofitable servants, fleas, and even nothing? If a man were wretched why should he then speak about himself? Did Peter speak about himself when the Spirit of Power saved 3,000 in one sermon and 5,000 a few days later? Did Moses speak about himself when he came down from the mountain having seen the back parts of God?
Or simply reflect on the matters at hand without any proof texts. Is there a Lake of Fire? Does it go on for all eternity? Is there one way of salvation, and is that one way entirely outside of me and my works? Did the eternal, self-existing Father who is the Spring of all things speak joyfully until dust was formed, and then go on speaking until we through our father Adam came from that dust? And do we not repair to this Father through His Son? Are these great doings not the Gospel of the Christian church, the foundation of the greatest religion, and the message that changes Satanic mercenaries into devoted sons of God?
Away with talk about ourselves! Let us determine to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. It has pleased God by the preaching of this message to save them that believe.
Though everything above is gospel truth, it is not all the truth.
Nuanced Answer: Yes
Yes, we ought to, at times, speak like the Psalms where “I, me, my and mine” show up more than 2,000 times. Tomorrow, I am preaching at a Tsonga churchplant from 1 Corinthians 9 in which passage Paul refers to himself over 50 times. Paul filled the first two chapters of Galatians with his own story. He gives his testimony in Acts 22 and again in chapter 26. Philippians has only 104 verses, but there are at least 115 references that Paul makes to himself in that book.
Church members should follow the faith of their pastors (Heb. 13:7 and 17) which they might find it difficult to do if they are not told about that faith.
Christians are told to confess their sins to one another so that they might pray for one another (James 5:16). Isn’t that talking about yourself?
Ought not pastors to confess with their mouths that Jesus is their Lord (Rom. 10:9)? Should they not call the believers together to tell them what God has done for their souls (Psalm 66:16)? If a pastor has been redeemed, should he not say so publicly (Psalm 107:2)?
Stepping out of the realm of proof texts, can a pastor preach on any passage—let’s say Psalm 1—if that passage has not reached the joints and marrows of his soul? And if it has touched him, humbled him, and filled him with joy, should he hide from the people the powerful working of the Word in His heart?
Pastors should at times, speak about themselves, even though as a general rule, they should be known as gospel preachers.
I have found that new converts in our churches have never seen a Christian family where both parents are Christian. They have never seen Christian spanking or child raising or family devotions. They have never seen a Biblical church or praying or repentance or rebuke.
New Christians and those considering Christianity are very interested to visit our house to see Christians eating meals and what we do in the evenings.
Dangers
- Men who teach others by their lives very commonly become proud, stubborn, and inflexible.
- Men who speak about themselves commonly pass on eccentricities and distractions rather than the great themes.
- Men who talk about their experiences tend toward exaggeration and subtly increasing the intensity and spirituality and humor of every anecdote.
- Men who reveal their personal lives often develop a taste for being praised or honored.
Conclusion
A godly man should speak so much about God and Christ that everyone will naturally say that the Son of God was his one message.
“If we can but teach Christ to our people, we shall teach them all. Get them well to Heaven, and they will have knowledge enough.” Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor
But the church is a very humane institution. It is impossible to separate Christ from faith in Him, and faith must be acted by persons. This believing is so hard, so foreign, so connected to every minute choice in life, that to make a disciple is to show them how to live like Christians in every motion of a day.
So, even though it can be unnerving and even frightening to have so many eyes on me, I must show my children by my life how to be a believer. And this goes for my people as well.
Be an example to the believers in speech and lifestyle.
