Photo By Kristian Gorman
Every Sunday. Once every 7 days. Like clock work. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
Over ten years ago God demanded I step onto the platform of my local church and carry the gospel message to my generation. Although, I wasn’t new to carrying the gospel having been a Youth Pastor and missionary the previous 6 1/2 years, I was no longer just a fill-in for the Senior Pastors.
I was pretty nervous, not about speaking, but about having to speak for so long. My experiences had been 15-20 minute messages to students and casting the “salvation net” on the mission field in 5 minutes or less. Having to come up with content to fill the time and be impacting made me anxious. I’d draft out an outline in advance complete with scriptures, stories and illustrations. Sometimes they’d be a dozen pages thick. My thought was always, “Better to have more content than time!’
Over the years I’ve come to love speaking. Here’s a few reasons why:
Because I am a Christ follower…
- I’m compelled. Romans 1:16-17, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” It is just not enough for me to live as a Christ follower and not be a communicator of the gospel.
- I’m called. Jeremiah 1:5, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” To this day I find it incredibly ironic I preach the gospel. When God has picked you, there is no other alternative.
- I’m equipped. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” I have a Bible, I can learn and I am committed.
Because I am a Pastor…
- I simply love seeing the courage that comes across a persons face as they grab the understanding of God’s amazing life for them. It is incredible.
- I know there are not too many messages promoting eternity, hope and goodness all in the same setting.
- I’m addicted to life change and discipleship.
Most of all, I love what I do Sunday mornings because I get to participate in the great work of Jesus Christ. Believe me, the sum of all the parts is a lot greater than the part I play!
I’d encourage Christ followers to find what they love about Sunday morning. Tap into the love of it. If you lead kids, then love it; worship, then love it; greet people, love it; produce the service, then love it; serve people, then love it. Start seeing the cause of Christ as the reason for your existence, not just something you do on Sunday. It’ll birth a love within.
