I realize that not everyone who receives this newsletter was present for worship Sunday morning. What I’m about to write may not seem relevant to you who weren’t there, because I want to share with you my gratitude for what took place Sunday morning.
Those of you who were there know that I didn’t preach from the outline I had prepared.
As is normally the case, the first draft of my sermon on Luke 14.25-35 was written by Thursday. It was a reflection of much prayerful study and preparation. Friday and Saturday I rewrote it several times. Sunday morning I got up around five and reworked it again. But my soul was not quiet before the Lord.
The sermon didn’t minister to me. And, therefore, I was not at peace about how the Lord could use it to minister to anyone else.
Most weeks I am at least somewhat at peace about what I will preach, but not Sunday morning. My sermon was an acceptable academic rehearsal of Jesus’ teachings, but it was as dry as sand.
So when I approached the pulpit Sunday morning, I set it aside and looked to the Lord to use my study and preparation to give me the message that would honor Him and benefit you.
Throughout the week, that is constantly my prayer. And most weeks I sense the Lord has answered my prayer. But on Sunday I believe that prayer was answered after stepping into the pulpit.
I don’t know how this sounds, but I’ll say it anyway: I was blessed. And many indicated to me that was true for them as well.
Only time will tell if by His grace, God’s truth impacted our hearts, illuminated our minds, and reshaped our wills. If it has, it will be evidenced by our willingness to give up everything we think matters, so He can give us everything that does matter.
I’m telling you all this, because I want you to be encouraged by what the Lord did for me Sunday morning. He’ll do the same for you.
Read. Pray. Study. Take advantage of opportunities to be taught. Meditate upon God’s truth. Ask Him for understanding. Ask Him to equip and empower you with a holy boldness.
And then, by His grace and enablement may others seeing your good deeds be encouraged to ask you why your life and words seem so different from the actions and conversations of others. As you blaze like stars in the night sky, may He provide you with opportunities to hold out to others His word of truth (Philippians 2.15-16).
I promise you, as you strive, in His strength, to follow hard after Jesus at home, at work, in school, at play – eventually someone is going to want to know what makes you tick.
Be bold. Tell them. Trust the Lord to give you the words to say. And be confident that no matter how humble your testimony or stumbling your response, God’s truth never returns to Him void. Words of truth will always accomplish what God intends.
I know what it is to stand before 500 people and be uncertain about what to say. But I also know the Lord is faithful, and if you are eager and willing, He will accomplish, in His time, in His way, more than you could ever ask or imagine.
Pastor Caines