Acts 17:30 “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.”

From every perspective this was a masterful sermon, beautifully reasoned and contextually grounded, even using cultural references with which his hearers would have been familiar. And he didn’t pull any punches, because here he explicitly expresses the command to repent, which all too many preachers avoid for fear of offending. At the same time, the response was hardly overwhelming, counted in verse 34 as “some,” with two mentioned by name. The point is, words are essential for communicating the Gospel, but they aren’t sufficient in themselves. Particularly where there isn’t a cultural framework for Christianity, demonstrations of the reality of the message are desirable at the very least. As it says in the last verse of Mark, “Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.” (Mark 16:20) Even if you hold that the very last part of Mark was added by some copyist, this certainly expresses the experience of the early Church. Jesus Himself stressed the impor­tance of congruity between a preacher’s words and his lifestyle, saying, “By their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:16) American English uses the two terms, preacher and pastor, as though they were completely interchangeable, but I don’t think they are. The New Testament speaks often enough of preaching, but it doesn’t give “preacher” as a job title. Far too many preachers are impressed by their own words, and don’t really express the fruit Jesus spoke of.

This hits really close to home, because I am certainly a man of words. It is a bit of a joke with people who know me that I can have trouble shutting up! I do tend to like the sound of my own voice, but I have learned that, apart from the love and grace of God, it is no more than “a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1) Crafted sermons can be impressive without power, and I don’t want that. I have been used in prophecy, but in only a few miracles. I can’t generate any of that on my own, but I don’t want to substitute words for power. I have experienced God speaking through me countless times, though mostly not in a “prophetic” format, and it is indeed addictive! I want to be a faithful mouthpiece for my Lord, in public and private settings, and I want my life to reflect His presence and character so that nothing will detract or distract from His words through me. That requires that I listen to what He is saying, even when He is using my mouth to say it! And I must remember, as Paul did, that I am no more than an earthenware pot in the process. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the opportunity I have to speak twice on Sunday, in the morning service and in the afternoon celebration. I ask for Your anointing as I prepare those notes, that I may say exactly what You want said and no more, for the blessing of all who hear and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!