Pray for Good Preaching
This week I am in Bristol WI at Crossway Community Church for a three-day long workshop on preaching. This is something I attend every year.
Why?
Because preaching matters. It really matters whether preaching is good. And good means biblical and prayerful, thoughtful and applicable.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:21 that "it pleased God in His wisdom to save those who believe through the foolishness of preaching."
FOOLISHNESS
Preaching can feel like something from history books, from a time when people sat still and listened to monologues. From a time before television and YouTube.
"Preaching is so foolish. Get with the times. Be funnier, shorter, relevant. Never be boring. Preaching is foolish. Try something new."
But preaching was foolish 2,000 years ago too.
While I hope to be relevant and not boring, and to keep my sermons to a reasonable length and to allow room for humor to emerge, I know that at the end of the day I'm asking sophisticated modern people who have busy lives and serious problems to stop trusting in what they see and feel, and listen instead to the ancient words of an invisible God about His Son who died and came back to life. And I'm saying that they should trust that Son with their whole lives.
It's foolish not because we don't like monologues (cf. stand-up comedy), but because of our resistance to having the Truths of The Faith in Scripture carefully examined for extended periods of time.
Preaching can seem crazy.
And I want to do it well.
Because God saves people through it.
SAVES
God uses all sorts of things to draw people to salvation. But there's something about preaching: God wants to be known as using it--perhaps in part because it's somewhat obnoxious. God seems to enjoy using "the weak things of this world, the low and despicable nothings, to shame the wise, strong, and boastful things of the world." (1Cor 1:27-28)
So I'm down here this week, reflecting on how to preach more better.
But you know what would make my preaching a lot better? Your prayers.
Would you please pray for me, and pray for the preaching at Fellowship Bible Church?
Pray that'd I'd be prayerful and open to the Spirit throughout the entire process.
Pray that'd I'd be patient with Scripture and not rush ahead with my own ideas.
Pray that I'd be careful and thoughtful as I shape the sermon and apply it.
Pray that God would stir up others who want to do this work together with me.
And pray that God works through the sermon.
Pray that God strengthens faith.
Pray that God saves.
Please pray for good preaching.
Photo by Abhishek Chandra on Unsplash