Daily devotional – The wonder of God’s Word
Have you ever sat through a sermon thinking, I have no idea what this man is saying? I wonder if he even knows what he’s talking about. A mist in the pulpit always creates a fog in the pew. A speaker might tantalise you with his oratorical skills, make you laugh with his jokes, and bring you to tears with his touching stories, but if the sermon does not convey the meaning of of the text, it’s not real preaching!
It might be nothing but a skyscraper sermon: story on top of story on top of another story. Or it could be a cheerleader sermon: Everybody hets pumped up and clapping, “Amen, brother!” Like a football cheer squad.
In every sermon there must be content – biblical content. Without that you do not have biblical preaching.
God’s Word will do a mighty work in the lives and hearts of the body of Christ, but for this to happen, you should have an enthusiasm for God’s Word the Bible itself! If the Bible seems like a dead book to you, then you are missing the wonder of God speaking to you.
Pastor Church Smith used to tell us young pastors, “You do not have to defend the Bible! Just open the gate and let the Bible out to speak for itself!”
2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
God will use the Bible to produce maturity in His people…and Paul wrote to a young Pastor by the name of Timothy in some of his last words before his death….2 Timothy 4:1 Preach the Word
1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Paul says we are to preach the Word because Jesus is coming to judge the world – that is a powerful motivation for us all!
We are to be disciples of Christ’s and people of the Word – 2 Tim 2: Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
Take time today to read God’s Word, to study it and ask God to help you to know it, and Him by it. Write down what God speaks to your heart, obey it, and then put it into action.