Monday, November 27, 2006

Giving Thanks

1 Corinthians 15:57 (HCSB) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

As we've just celebrated Thanksgiving, I wanted to offer a scriptural thanks. In the context of the passage above, Paul has focused on the gospel of Jesus Christ with special emphasis on the resurrection and the coming resurrection body of all believers. In 1 Cor. 15:58, Paul says that the sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law. But through our Lord Jesus Christ, God has given us victory over sin and death.

The victory we have received through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is something for which we should give thanks. Without this victory, each of us would be enslaved to sin and death. We would be hopeless and helpless. Yet, for those who believe, we have received victory!

As we enter the Christmas season, we are reminded once again that God became flesh and dwelled among us. Jesus Christ, fully God, fully man, lived perfectly according to the law in our stead. On the cross, the wrath of God was poured out on Him who became sin on our behalf. The victory cry, "It is finished!" rang out from our Savior's lips as He made a way for sinners into the presence of a holy God.

May each believer never forget why we have victory. God, through Jesus Christ, has given us the victory, a gift of God! Let's give thanks!

Saturday, November 04, 2006

Saturday Night Special

I've heard of preachers who preach more topical type sermons waiting until Saturday night to determine what they will preach...sermons affectionately known as "Saturday Night Specials." Often, these preachers will justify this practice by saying they depend upon God to give them just what the congregation needs on that Sunday. They also say that they depend upon the Lord more because of their waiting on Him for His message.

I have to admit, thinking of preaching this way causes heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and blurry eyesight! I cannot imagine coming into a Saturday night without a clue as to what I'm preaching on the next morning. In other words, "Saturday Night Specials" are not for me.

Now, do I depend upon God as much as the other guy? Does the message I've been preparing for in advance still have relevancy for my congregation? I think the answer to both of these questions is a resounding YES! I preach through books of the Bible (for the most part). Currently, I'm preaching through Galatians on Sunday mornings. I do admit there is a sense of serenity knowing that I don't have to come up with a "topical" message for a Sunday morning, whether I prepare it a week in advance or have it mystically "come to me" on a Saturday night. I'm preaching Galatians 3:15-26 tomorrow...why? Because I finished Galatians 3:14 last week. How easy and reassuring is that?!?

As to topical preaching, I hit lots of topics. I recently preached through the 10 Commandments. Talk about topical!!! As I'm preaching through Galatians, Paul expounds on the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. I think that's pretty topical as well, especially in light of the Gospel "light" some receive on Sunday mornings. The fun part of preaching through books? I hit the topics God thinks are important as His Word is eternally true and eternally relevant. Sure, I want to help my folks apply the Word, but God sets the agenda, not me. Preaching through a book helps me to preach the whole counsel of God, not just ideas I think are important. In fact, the more of God and the less of me...the better!!!

No, I think I'll stick to preaching the Word of God by preparing weekly so that on Saturday night, I can thank Him for how He prepared me to preach for His glory. May my preaching of the whole counsel of God bring Him much glory and the people much good!