Monday, January 11, 2010
Pulpit
I get a little nervous anytime I have the opportunity to speak in front of the church. I use to get nervous because I was afraid I was going to mess up or forget something I had written down. Now, I get nervous for what God is going to reveal to me in the text. The past few times I have spoken, I have gone in with some sort of preconception of what that specific scripture meant, and by the time I have finished praying and studying, God has torn down my preconceptions and said, "No, no, here's what I'm really telling you to do." So, broken and humbled, I pick back up the pieces and begin to look at scripture through the new lens He gave me-so refreshing. I'll finish with a question. What are the top 5 things you guys want to hear about from the pulpit? I would give you mine, but I don't want to be leading your answers.
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Top 5? I may only have a couple...
ReplyDelete1. It's OK that you're broken and not perfect, just keep trying, His grace will make up for the difference.
2. This isn't necessarily a topic, so much as a general thing. I want my toes stepped on more. I don't want to hear any more lovey-dovey "I'm not going to upset someone in the church" message. I want my heart stirred, even if that means possibly offending someone else. Does that make sense?
I think number 2 is my BIGGEST thing. I want real, sincere, let's-get-down-to-business sermons.
I totally totally agree with the girl above me.
ReplyDeleteI think church is often way too nice and not near enough of a reality check.
I wanna hear about practical ways to live a life of service. Not just a few mission trips or soup kitchens, but an every day selflessness.
I want to hear about spiritual warfare and how to combat it.
Also, I would love to hear more about the Holy Spirit.
Thanks so much for your prayers and understanding - I hope you're having a great new year so far!
i have to join in the fanfare--i think a lot of the "grace" messages i hear have a band tendency to subconsciously translate into "you're fine how you are" sorts of game plans for me. What i need is to be confronted with how much i need to change. Those confrontational messages are not contrary to the teachings or spirit of grace and mercy i don't think. in fact, when done right, i think they are a manifestation of grace and mercy. Titus says that "grace" teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires (Tit 2:11-12). That's what i need. it's good to know that i don't stand for legalism. now i need to learn and be reminded of what i do stand for and where i am crossing lines that shouldn't be compromised.
ReplyDelete--Guy
"band" should've been "bad"
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comments. All great!
ReplyDeleteDerek