Less Screen; More Book

I had a project to tackle last night, that I knew I couldn't put off any longer. You know how schedules get and then because a task has gone unattended, it takes longer to sort through and figure out. Procrastination is an enemy of the worst kind. One I admit, I have yet to master.

After getting up-to-date information on the matter, I posted to social media regarding adulthood.

"Kids, don't try this at home. But learn it before you leave home."

Discipline is an incredible concept. Keep in mind, it's double meaning. Of course, there's the state of correction. There's also the state of practice. The lessons learned from both, are invaluable, although when applied to finances and work ethic, you get close to actually placing a dollar amount on those lessons.

The power though, comes from continually correcting the focus of one's practice.

If you'll permit the play on words, there are times to discipline your disciplines.
There are times when you will need to correct what you are putting into practice.

Where am I going with this? I'm glad you asked.

Ligonier ministries played a sermon given at one of their recent leadership conferences and Pastor Scott Lawson was talking about the Reformation movement and the powerfully, prolific preachers of that day.

As we teach our kids, practice makes perfect. Not just the practice of learning that leads to increased skill, but the discipline of practice. What you continue to work and engage in, even after you have reached a certain level of skill.

Lawson talked of preachers like Calvin and Luther, who preached hundreds and even thousands of times over a given period. Stories of having preached 3 and 4 times in a given day. Extended lengths of time where they preached Sunday morning, Sunday evening  and every day Monday through Friday. The sermons lasted for hours, to hundreds of people at time.

These men were students of the Word. Masters at preaching it. Pioneers in exposition; of taking apart Scripture and bringing application to the lives of the hearers.

And Lawson's point on this #youthPastorWednesday? 

We're in a time in our churches where the time spent preaching is on the decline. Serious decline which produces a huge, negative impact when it comes to the churches effectiveness to influence culture with the Gospel.

Wednesday night services are no longer offered. Sunday night services are no longer a thing.
Sunday morning sermons are shorter to fit in a time format; whether because of multiple services or convenience for our drive-through, have it your way culture. 

I still remember the Sunday morning service at the church where I grew up, where the alarm on the father's watch went off, at which time the entire family left the sanctuary. The sermon wasn't over. But what could possibly be on the schedule that was so important that you thought you had time to visit a church, stay for the duration and still make your destination? Obviously it's between them and God, but the appearance was that the service was too long in their opinion.

If the preaching of the Gospel; the whole counsel of the Word of God is diminished and the time spent in the Scriptures is limited by both pastor and parishioner, as a matter of discipline then the world will continue to decline and the church will lose its effect and influence on culture, for we will not know how to respond.

Scripture is clear, as stated in Hosea... the people perish for a lack of knowledge. God help us, not only for this generation of Christians and pastors, but for the generation we are raising.

Let's pray this #youthPastorWednesday, that we would return to the discipline of Biblical studies and expository preaching. May pastors be devoted to the preaching of the full counsel of the Gospel, for indeed all of it is the story of God's love and redemption. In these difficult times, may the church stand strong in declaring the truth of the Word of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit while reflecting and sharing the love of Christ. May the church witness a change in our culture as we draw closer to the presence of God through His love letter to humanity. As God uses the foolishness of the Gospel to confound the wise, may the power of the practice of preaching usher in the moving of the Holy Spirit across our land.

For the glory of God.
For the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC