Yesterday, I had the privilege of preaching three times at a local church. I was tired when the third service ended, but I was again reminded of why preaching so energizes me:
- Preaching is my calling. Almost 50 years ago, I sensed God’s saying to me, “I want you to preach my Word.” I’ve never forgotten those words, and preaching still fills me with joy as I fulfill my calling.
- I have the entirety of God’s Word to preach. Unlike many others around the world, I have all the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. In my hands. In my language. And, I can open it freely without threat on my life. Why would I not be thrilled to teach this truth?
- I get to teach that Word. The book I get to teach is not just any book. It’s not just great literature. It’s not just a religious handbook. No, it’s the Word of God—and for whatever reason (far beyond my understanding), God lets me guide others to understand and apply that Word. That’s a weighty but powerful responsibility.
- I get to experience the power of the Word both as I prepare the sermon and as I preach it. I could write for days about things I’ve learned about God in sermon preparation over the years. And, I could only attempt to describe the feeling I get when teaching the Word brings chills to my arms. The overwhelming sense of God’s presence is amazing, indeed.
- I get to preach to God’s people. How I love it when the people of God open their Bibles—whether hard copy or electronic copy—at the beginning of the sermon . . . and wait with anticipation to learn . . . and nod in agreement when the Word speaks to them . . . and show excitement and enlightenment in their eyes when the Spirit helps them understand the Word better . . . and even interact with me verbally during the preaching event. You simply cannot fully know that experience unless you’ve been there—and I get to do it Sunday after Sunday.
- I get to see God use His Word to change lives. Sometimes the work of the Word on a listener’s heart is immediately noticeable. In other cases, the changes come sometime after the sermon—but they do come. Sometimes, I meet people who turn to Christ for the first time after God has used His Word to draw them to Him. The fact that God uses me in His process of changing lives is incredibly humbling.
- I always find joy in preaching, no matter what I’m facing in my own life. Something just happens during preaching that allows me to focus on Him and His Word—not on any difficulties or struggles I’m facing. In fact, teaching the Word reminds me that God is bigger than anything I’m facing at any given point. In no way can my preaching adequately describe just how great He is.
Preachers, I trust you, too, found great joy in preaching yesterday. Thank you for your faithfulness!
