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A number of years ago I wrote a series of devotions aimed at sharing some steps we take on our way from brand-new believer to fully mature, and victorious Christian. Our goal should be, must always be, the perfecting of our faith so that we might walk in the Spirit each and every day. I propose, over the next few weeks, to re-visit these steps, if for no other reason than to see how we’re doing. I pray these will be helpful.
Scripture for the day: 1 Corinthians 1:21; Romans 10:14,15 "It pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe...[but] how then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?"
Thought for the day: The disciples first, and then every soul who has ever turned to Jesus for salvation has come through the same basic experience. And, as a general rule, the first step has always been preaching of the Good News. Now I don't propose to elevate preachers to some high pedestal from which they will be severely injured when and if they fall, but neither do we want to so denigrate the God-called position of preacher that it becomes meaningless and we neglect one of the first, and most important, steps God has ordained in the salvation process.
The first thing Jesus did after He came back from whipping the devil in the wilderness was preach "Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand." His was a teaching ministry, a healing ministry, a helping ministry, but first it was a preaching ministry. For some reason God has always called out certain people to carry on this "foolishness of preaching" and has used it to build His church. That's why the writer to the Hebrews said, "do not forsake the gathering together of the saints as some are in the habit of doing, but exhorting one another..." (Hebrews 10:25). That word "exhort" is used to mean preaching of the Word.
Since preaching is God's chosen means of saving "them that believe", a lot depends on the faithful proclamation of the Word of God by those whom He has called. They have been put in trust of the Gospel and must have the power of the Holy Spirit on them or the most flowery speech will come to nothing. Those who occupy our pulpits must preach with the "Holy Spirit sent down from heaven", "not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."
So how does that encourage you today? Almost no one on my mailing list for these devotions is a preacher in the sense in which we're looking at them. But, by the same token, we are all called to be witnesses to the Way and, as such, we preach every day, sometimes with our actions, our attitudes, our reactions, or even with words when necessary. There is something about being called of God to stand behind that sacred desk and preach the Gospel that is special. Why God calls the people He does is beyond me, particularly when I look in the mirror each morning. But those called to preach couldn't fulfill that calling were it not for the faithful who regularly hold them up in prayer and work arm-in-arm with them to see the Gospel light go forth into the darkness of this sinful world. Pray for your pastor whenever you have the opportunity; it will make a difference in your church, your family and yourself. You are a major factor in whether the pastor is effective in reaching those who believe. And your reward in heaven is great.
Now go take on your world. - Bill