Influencers

There's a scene from one of my favorite TV shows where a man sits on death row, awaiting his pending execution, just 2 days away. His lawyers have a conversation, where the end result ends up being, they get a hold of a Rabbi to speak on capital punishment in order to influence a person whose position has access to the President, in an effort to get him to stay the execution.

Sometimes, you can't help but wonder, how the timings of sermons play out in their relevancy and poignancy to the lives of those in attendance. (this by the way, is one reason why I appreciate when my pastor says he doesn't look at giving records... then he has "clean hands" when preaching on tithe/finances)

That said, you have to consider how real the struggle remains, for pastors and ministry people to be aware of situations, yet not have one particular topic or issue stand out to prompt the focus of a sermon. Seems mighty tempting, since it can so easily be chalked up to "wanting to help". This is the incredibly fine line of man doing ministry on his/her own strength versus following the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The struggle is difficult, to say the least.

Pray, this #associatePastorTuesday, for the knowledge and insight into situations that Pastors are aware of; that they would use it wisely and cautiously as they carry out ministry. Pray they would rely on what they receive from their time with God and the promptings of the Holy Spirit when it comes to preparation of presenting the Word of God; whether in class or in service. Pray for the ministry of the Gospel to be relevant and timely because of God's desire to speak to us at our point of need; not because a private situation becomes a sermon topic, even if the parties involved aren't mentioned by name. May such circumstances be covered in prayer and full of discernment; that ministry would transpire with "clean hands".

May there be a keen awareness of what the Spirit would say to the church, not what an individual thinks needs to be said to the church. For the church, is the Body of Christ and we belong to God. For His glory. For His purpose.

Life abundant. Life eternal. Set-apart. Holy. Wholly His.

-PNC

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