Tuesday June 11, 2013

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6

Over the years I’ve heard so many preachers preach not Christ but themselves. It truly is deflating to constantly hear how wonderful the preacher is and how he or she has his/her act together. One preacher even had the audacity to encourage the congregation to be more like himself because in his own eyes he was the epitome of godliness and righteousness. Another centred 90% of her illustrations around her own piety and righteousness, effectively exhorting the congregation to learn from her wisdom and goodness.  Still others have an issue or message from their own heart that they want to preach and they simply scour the bible in search of any passage that may back up their message. Others feel that telling funny stories is enough to feed to the congregation on Sondays.

 

In contrast Paul preached Christ as Lord. We read in 2 Corinthians 4:5

For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

 

How heartening it is when a person’s motives are true. How refreshing it is to hear what the Scriptures actually teach rather than hearing someone’s opinion or the latest scholarly trend. How challenging to hear exposition of Scripture rather than the latest joke doing the rounds of the Christian churches. How motivating to hear the Word of God preached with confidence and authority that it is the Word of God. How warming it is to see a preacher seeking to please God and not mankind.

 

Prayer:

Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.

 

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

V Pray for the MOPS and Playpals ministry that runs out of the ChristLife building. Pray that God would speak powerfully to the non church women involved through the women that are believers. Ask God to open doors of evangelism and that He would grant repentance and faith to many of those women and their families.

V Pray that our children’s ministry would continue to grow and thrive. Ask God to use this ministry to reach out into the neighbourhood and to bring many to Christ.

 

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. What makes a good sermon?

2. What is the responsibility of the preacher?

3. What is the responsibility of the hearers of a sermon?