Christians have a lot more in common with soldiers than we might think. Soldiers don’t serve to protect themselves but to guard the interests of their homeland.
(Image from Pixabay)
There is simply no room for ego or grandstanding among soldiers during the heat of battle. What matters is obeying the leader’s commands. I can’t help but think of Paul’s words to his young protégé, Timothy:
Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. (2 Timothy 2:3–4 NASB)
Of course, there’s also an intangible longing that keeps a soldier going: the desire to go home. The soldier isn’t just a military man or woman . . . but a . . .
To follow up with last week’s post called, Silver . . . Sloth . . . Self . . . Sex, I want to urge you to watch a gut-level talk on the subject of lust.
I delivered this message to those entering ministry, but I share it with you because we never outgrow the crucial reminders. That includes me.
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I recently enjoyed an engaging conversation with my good friend, Dr. Mark Young, President of Denver Seminary. We talked about my favorite subject.
Preaching.
In this interview, we candidly discussed some issues we preachers deal with each week as expositors of the Word of God.
Here’s a quick sample of what we discussed:
- In a culture that doesn’t accept the Bible as authoritative, where does our authority to preach come from?
- Does using a personal illustration diminish the centrality of Christ?
- How can we maintain a weekly routine of message preparation when the demands of ministry are so urgent?
- As we gauge our congregation’s reactions during our message, how do we get on the same page when they’re inattentive or confused?
- What can we do when we say something wrong in our message?
- What’s the difference between preaching to a large congregation and a smaller one?
- How does the gift of teaching play a role in our preaching?
- What can a seminary education really do for us?
- What can we do when we feel weary in preaching every week?
Are you salivating yet? Great! Please watch this interview and be encouraged in your pulpit ministry.
I recently delivered this message to seminary students, but as you will see—it applies to each one of us engaged in vocational Christian ministry.
Please take a few minutes and invest in your most valuable asset to your ministry.
Your relationship with Christ.
God will not speed up so the two of you can walk together. You have to slow down and take time for Him. I urge you to do so.
Chuck Swindoll’s blog, especially for pastors!
Each week Chuck posts a thought to encourage fellow pastors in their souls, their roles, and their homes.
Addressing everything from issues such as integrity, priorities, and rest, to pastoral care and preaching, to daily life in the “fishbowl,” Chuck draws from his more than fifty years in ministry to offer wisdom and support for pastors in the trenches alongside him.
Watch Video Introduction
