A Note To All Ministers From Acts 22… June 10, 2009
Posted by stevensc in Growth, Leadership, evangelism, preaching.Tags: Acts 22, aspirations, calling, disappointment, discouraged, dreams, ministers, Paul, thomas edison
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In Acts 22, Paul begins his defence in front of a pretty hostile crowd. He takes them through the whole story of his conversion, even to the point of being completely transparent with all of his sins against Jesus and the Christians. He tells them of the AMAZING Damascus Road experience. Surely they would be shocked and awed by such a story right? I mean, Saul is a COMPLETELY different man now and surely all of them would see it and know that this guy has to be called by the most high God to accomplish great things…right?
Here’s a great life lesson from Acts 22 for all you ministers out there:
Most people will never be as excited as you are about your calling from the Lord.
Many will choose to never give you the break you deserve, so keep praying for the one break that will advance God’s Kingdom. Many will hear your story and still doubt your sincerity, so keep doing what God wants you to do anyways. You may be persecuted by those who are simply jealous for having such big dreams and aspirations, so continue to dream and aspire knowing that you are among the grand company of men like Joseph, Jesus, and Paul.
Thomas Edison once said, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” So continue to fight on man and woman of God. Your time to shine is coming, if you choose to keep shining when no one is looking.
Your Best Preaching Is When… January 8, 2009
Posted by stevensc in Leadership, evangelism, preaching.Tags: abraham, bible, church, father, Jesus, mediocrity, moses, noah, Peter, plans, preach, preach like jesus, purpose, sermons, voice of god, will of god
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Other Posts on this series, “Preaching Like Jesus”:
Today, we’ll be finishing out this series that has been inspired by John 6-7.
How did Jesus know what to preach? All preachers stress over this. Some spend hours seeking God, reading commentaries, listening to their favorite preachers (and sometimes preaching it verbatim). How did Jesus know when to preach? Did he accept every offer to come give a sermon? Did he always start preaching at supper time? Lastly, how did Jesus know HOW to preach? All preacher struggle trying to find their own style. Usually, this means trying to mimick their favorite TV or radio personality.
JESUS KNEW WHAT, WHEN, AND HOW TO PREACH BECAUSE HE UNDERSTOOD THE WILL OF THE FATHER FOR HIS LIFE.
Your best preaching comes when you understand the will of the Father for your life. I understand that this post may shake many preachers up. But I also believe that if we were brutally honest with ourself, our messages tend to be mediocre…not because we don’t study enough…not because we’re not knowlegeable. But because we’re not set on fire.
Anyone can drive a car, but after so long, the end destination becomes important. Many pastors are leading their churches, but don’t know where they’re going. Many preachers are preaching a capricorn of messages throughout the year, but have to real sense of purpose when they deliver their messages.
Some of you will be fine with mediocrity. You’ll keep preaching and sticking to your day-planner because the risk of getting in the genuine presence of God and hearing his voice may be too risky. It will almost certainly mess up whatever plans you have made thus far. You have the hot coals still glowing in your spirit. But you need the breath, the infallable word from a holy, creator-God to blow on it and ignite a fire so that your life can accomplish all that God intended.
Jesus got his answers in the wilderness. Noah faced persecution. Moses disappeard from the spotlight for 40 years. Abraham packed up his family just to follow God without knowing where. Peter had to look Jesus in the eyes after denying that he even knew who he was. These were all life changing, not because of the harshness of their circumstance, but because this was where these men heard the voice of the Father.
If you’re ready to begin your best years in preaching, then prepare your heart first. A dry desert is coming your way…but the Father will meet you there!
