[sorry bout the lack of pictures – this internet cafe isn’t quite capable of the upload, at least in the 30 minutes of internet time I splurged for, I’ll try to get some up sometime in the next 3 months]
I’ve been in Africa less than a week and in that time I have stood and
spoken/preached before a congregation 3 times. Needless to say, it’s going to
be a season of growing.
“Do not merely
listen to the word� — James 1:22
Coming into Africa, they told us to always be ready to “bring a word.�
It is characteristic of the church here to call for impromptu sermons,
particularly from American missionary guests. Now this might strike different
people with varying degrees of panic and anxiety, but through that God definitely
began a hefty work of conviction in my heart. A couple months back I read
through David Platt’s “Radical� and, while sorting through Scripture for what
might make for reasonable sermons, some of his words came crashing back into my
thoughts. Specifically, he challenges us whether we are merely receivers of
God’s Word, or if we are intent on reproducing God’s Word in and to others.
nature, receivers. Even if we have a desire to learn God’s Word, we still
listen from a default self-centered mind-set that is always asking, What can I get out of this? But as we
have seen, this is unbiblical Christianity. What if we changed the question
whenever we gathered to learn God’s Word? What if we began to think, How can I listen to his Word so that I am
equipped to teach this Word to others?“
Just in the last few days during my study of Scripture and even outside
of deliberate time with God, it has definitely become more apparent that “when we realize we have the responsibility
to teach the Word, it changes everything about how we hear the Word.”
Furthermore, “when we take
responsibility for helping others grow in Christ, it automatically takes our
own relationship with Christ to a new level.” I feel God has been
redeveloping my eyes through which I gaze upon His Word. Too often have I
allowed what God has poured into me to fester in my mind, to store up wisdom
for the sake of a puffed up intellectualism. What God gives is never intended to end with us. All things are
returned for His glory, and it has become apparent that we are most effective
in giving Him the glory when we are pouring His truth out to others.
believed; therefore I have spoken.’ With that same spirit of faith we also
believe and therefore speak…All this is for your benefit, so that the grace
that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the
glory of God.� — 2 Corinthians 4:13
These realizations are easily applied when you’re preparing for a
pulpit. The true work is applying these same truths when your days are spent
in offices and classrooms, but they are the truth regardless. Glorious things
are happening when “God’s Word is no longer just being heard in a building [or
in personal study]; it is being multiplied through a community. It is
multiplying because the people of God are no longer listening as if his Word is
intended to stop with them. They are now living as if God’s Word is intended to
spread through them.�
