Just do it! Most preachers realize that they face three different kinds of people
every time they get into the pulpit. They address mature believers who want
meat, young believers who still need milk, and those who are seeking a deeper
exploration of the gospel. We need to be able to reach all three groups in one
25-minute sermon. It is difficult but we must do it.
Jesus, our master instructor, told us in Matthew 10:34, "Do not think that I came
to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword."
When we couple that with what we can read in Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of
God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even
to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the
thoughts and intents of the heart."
Those two verses make it pretty plain that from the simplest to most intelligent, a
message from God's Word needs to be told to everyone who will listen. The moment
when the songs have been sung, the prayers have been offered, and the congregation
is settling in, a man stands before the group and before he utters a word, there a silent
expectancy. What has he prepared to offer today? What's in it for me? Will I come to
know God better because of what the preacher will say? It is an awesome responsibility,
but I must stand and preach. I have to remind myself to "Just do it!" (A little personal note
on living the life of a preacher.)
Let me offer this before we go into our weekend. A message from God's word to you:
Matthew 28:19-20 says,
"19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you
always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
We have a shared task to know and to teach - but it is shared with our Lord!
Just do it! He will go with you! Have a great day!
