 |  Experiencing the power and privilege of ministry.
Fall 1998
|
Columnists Preaching that Connects
October 1, 1998
My job as a preacher is to underline my hearers' Bibles for them.
That's because when God speaks in the human heart, he often whispers. Elijah learned that in the cave after the wind and earthquake.
Although God can be soft spoken, occasionally he shouts for emphasis because people don't always listen as they should. God can boost the volume to bring people to a moment of understanding, change, and growth. When those near Jesus heard the voice of the Father from heaven, they said it sounded like thunder.
Given the decibel power at his disposal, when God wants to crank up the volume in the human heart, he often chooses a surprising means to do so: He speaks through a preacher. Not necessarily a loud preacher, just a person anointed of the Spirit, earnest about God's truth, who makes the Word and its application as clear as a desert sky.
A friend recently told me of an unforgettable experience she had while listening to Chuck Swindoll at Moody Bible Institute's Founders' Week. "I remember exactly where I was sitting in the auditorium," she said. "I remember exactly what he said: 'God hates lying.' It had never struck me before how important it is to tell the absolute truth."
My friend is the daughter of a pastor. She grew up reading the Bible. She has known all her life that lying is wrong, yet she would here and there bend the truth. Only when a preacher pointedly spoke those words did she fully hear what God had been saying to her for a long time.
God used a preacher to "crank it up."
Amazing! Why would he who is The Truth use preachers, who in their personal lives may themselves "shade" the truth—and sometimes intentionally lie—to emphasize his truth? Isn't that like a trumpet player putting a mute on his horn ...
Please complete one of the following:
If you're a Leadership journal subscriber...
...but have not yet registered for online access to CTLibrary.com, you can receive a full-year's access for just $29.95!
Register Here | | If you're NOT a Leadership journal print subscriber...
You're entitled to a special, introductory offer for new subscribers only! Subscribe now and receive a one-year Leadership journal print subscription and one-year access to all Leadership archives for just $39.95!
Subscribe now!
When you log in as a Leadership Journal subscriber, you'll see additional articles noted as premium content only available to CTLibrary.com members. To access the entire CTLibrary requires a CTLibrary subscription. If you would prefer this option, select the offer below that best fits your needs.
|
Like the preview? To read this complete article
and 20,359 more in the archive—JOIN NOW!
Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history.
Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
|
It's easy and quick to join:
Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l |  |
|
| 
Find similar articles
E-mail this page
