Since I have been a pastor, I have been very diligent about getting my studying done for a sermon. I write them out and I make sure that all editing and final things are done by Friday. In the seven years that I have been preaching, I have quite a little library of sermons that I have written............
For the past three weeks, I have not been preaching the sermons that I have typed up neatly in bold print (I need new glasses), Times Roman font, 14 size lettering (because I need new glasses) and 1 1/2 inch margins. No I haven't. For the past three weeks, God has CHANGED my sermons all together. The first time He did it, I just thought it was because the Spirit was so high. I was at a revival when this happened so I was quite excited when this happened. Side Note: I have always admired preachers that can preach from the Bible with no notes and STILL make sense. Now, the following day at my own service, God DID it again! I was in my hotel room going over my manuscript and all of a sudden my manuscript looked liked it was written in Chinese!!! Still, I took my sermon with me to church, INTENT to preach the Word that I had written, oh but when God steps in.......Well Jesus! It happened again yesterday while I was sitting in my seat in the pulpit. This time I actually said, "YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME GOD!" I was a little perturbed, yes I was, but I was obedient and I preached that Word!
I have come to the conclusion that God needed not only to get the people's attention, but mine as well.....Sometimes, God needs for a preacher to know that HE is the one that makes your ministry happen and NOT YOU and I. Preachers must realize this importance of submitting fully to the will of God, of "giving" ourselves away so that God can fully use you. Only when we do this will the full realization of God's plan for your ministry will bless you and your church. We are only servants to do the ministry of God. Let me repeat that, we are ONLY SERVANTS to do the ministry of God.
My Father told me to preach His Word His way and all I can say to that is, "Not my will Lord, but Thy will be done!"
Make it plain! Praise God!
ReplyDeleteAmen Arch!
DeleteWe will add;
DeleteGod does not need our ability, only our availability!
Pastor, you have just described to a "T" my experience. I have been preaching since 1993, and was a manuscript pro-claimer. Except my font of choice is 16/Arial - - LOL! But God slowly pulled me away from the text over the years. I still go through the process of writing down, but without fail on every Sunday He comes in and moves. So that I understand now that the writing down is but preparation/exercise for my mind, a map of sorts - that I will not necessarily need once I get out on the "road" - because God shows up and points me in the direction He would have me to go in that sacred preaching moment! Praise God sis!~ Keep submitting to His Holy Spirit!~
ReplyDeleteJames, I like what you said:"So that I understand now that the writing down is but preparation/exercise for my mind, a map of sorts - that I will not necessarily need once I get out on the "road" - because God shows up and points me in the direction He would have me to go in that sacred preaching moment!"
DeleteIt is just a road map and God will show the way. Size 16? LOL