As I think about going into full-time ministry, the Lord has been teaching me about what it means to be a messenger of God.
One of the things that the Lord has been showing me is for me to give up the need of delivering a “great message.”
It grieves me when I hear sermons that you can tell are finely tuned to the word. The jokes are placed perfectly. The introduction is eloquently started. The transitions blend in the elements harmoniously. The voice is accustomed to the dramatic, steered and bridled by the preacher’s intentions, capable of pulling and tugging on the emotions of his hearers. They will rise here and at this moment wave their hand or pace themselves. It is a polished masterpiece of homiletic exactitude.
…God deliver me from the need of delivering a good message…
But to only care about delivering GOD’S message.
To deliver it in the fabric of my being under the power of the Holy Spirit and not my dumb gifts and skills.
“preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”
1 Corinthians 1:17
