St. Paul on preaching:
"For necessity is laid upon me.Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" (1 Cor. 9:16)
"I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:16)
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." (2 Timothy 4:2)
We pastors find in these words both encouragement and discouragement. Encouragement to preach regardless of the cost, and discouragement because the standard by which we will be judged is so lofty.
There is indeed a cost to being a preacher. “The pulpit calls those anointed to it,” wrote Bruce Thielemann, “like the sea calls its sailor and like the sea, it batters and bruises.” Pastors who faithfully preach God’s message each Sunday know, “To really preach is to die naked a little at a time, and to know each time you do that, you must do it again.”
Amen, Bruce.
Here is an article that would most likely be helpful to every parishoner who does not sit under the weekly ministry of his/her favorite podcast preacher (e.g. John Piper, Doug Wilson, Mark Driscoll or Mark Dever.) Enjoy.
Our pastor does not preach like John Piper, but he does preach like V.E. Helsel and we at King's Cross are extremely blessed! Thank you, pastor, for your faithful work in bringing us the Word each Sunday. You always have a feast prepared for us. May we be mature listeners and eager to hear what the Holy Spirit has for us, seeking grace to be obedient to work out what He is working in. KA
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