What Would You Say?

While hanging out with some friends last night from church, for a few moments, we took the opportunity to discuss the mornings' service and sermon. We all agreed, it was a great, powerful service and an excellent message. One friend commented on the delivery of the Word, "Pastor was on fire!", as a metaphor to the athlete who is making incredible plays all throughout their time in the game. Unstoppable.

The kind of moments that are better experienced in person.

Another friend, noted, that upon hearing the title of the message, wondered "OK, how in depth is this going to get?", as we've all heard or maybe sat in a service where the message was more mentally taxing than it should have been, depending on the setting and people. Later in the conversation, a comment was made, showing appreciation for the direction pastor took during the message, when he stated that he could go in a particular direction topically, but that wasn't the focus he was trying to communicate as he explained this passage of Scripture.

The reason for this prayer post... a comment made on how challenging it can be, in choosing sermon topics, in a day and age when it's all too easy for people to get upset and offended when they hear the Word of God or a pastor or spiritual leader tries to present a Biblical truth and apply it to everyday living 

The Word of God is powerful,
The Word of God will not return void.
The Word of God will not pass away.
The Word of God is sharper than a two-edge sword; able to divide bone and marrow

When I hear that last analogy, I think of a surgical tool, used by the doctor to separate the infected area from the healthy; the damaged tissue from the normal; the disease from the clean... the dead cells from the living.

From a God a who is good, patient, loving and just, it seems foolish just how quickly and frequently we dismiss what God desires to reveal to us about who He is and what He has in store for our lives, for any number of reasons... none of which, will ultimately stand one day in eternity ad be found valid in the presence of God as we try to justify our response to what God speaks and reveals through Scripture and the preaching thereof.

As I once told someone recently, just because you didn't like what I had to say, doesn't make my point untrue.

Interestingly enough, I've not liked many a things told to me, and yet, depending on the person  and the matter, their points contained truth(s) that I had to face and figure out how to respond. I think it's the same with pastors, as well as God.

We may not like what is presented to us... it doesn't mean there's not an application to made to our lives that will bring about a healthy benefit as a result.

So... pray with me, this #seniorPastorMonday, that in these ever-changing all-too fast times in society, that Pastors would be strengthened and encouraged in their ministry; to preach the whole counsel of God. Pray for wisdom and tact to deliver the Word of God with a love and passion to see people come into deeper relationship with God through Christ; not beat them over the head, using the Bible to bring on human guilt. Pray for discernment, as they study to prepare sermons and devotionals, that there would be a fresh anointing for each service; not relying on the impact of the previous. May their be a boldness in their ministry, to trust the work of the Holy Spirit to move on the hearts and minds of those who hear... not to respond with offense and frustration; but to be drawn, to the goodness and patience of God, understanding He is both love and just.

May the truth go forth. Indeed, may God's Word not return void, but accomplish in full what it was sent out to accomplish, in the hearts and minds of those God desperately desires to seek; to save; to know... through what Christ did on the cross. The ability for us to know God.

- PNC

---