“…for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.” NASU
“I’m compelled to do it, and doomed if I don’t!” The Message
Preachers can’t help themselves. They have to preach. They are “under compulsion.” They have no choice! Moved by an inner voice urging them forward, preachers must tell others about the saving power of Jesus Christ. That's what preachers do. They preach!
Men and women of God so compelled feel most alive when they are talking, writing, or otherwise sharing insights God reveals in His Word. Preachers live to preach. It is their destiny. They must follow their preaching passion for each one of their fleeting years on earth. The calling tugs at the heart with a force known to all those who are so called. The burden of non-compliance is too heavy to bear. Preachers must preach like...
- Paul who explained, “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel.”
- Jeremiah who cried, “My soul, my soul! I am in anguish! Oh, my heart! My heart is pounding in me; I cannot be silent,” (Jeremiah 4.19).
- Job’s antagonist Elihu, who could not stop himself: “For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me; inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst. I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply,” (Job 32.18-20).
- John who, after eating the little book that made his stomach bitter, his angels told him, “Again you must speak what God has revealed...,” (Revelation 10.10-11).
Preachers are Word Travelers. They have embarked on a journey through the pages of the Bible and experience together with all who will follow, the mysterious presence and undeniable power of Jesus.
I know a boy who, at the age of seventeen, informed his pastor that he wanted to go to seminary and learn to preach. His elder offered sound wisdom: “I will give you my blessing under one condition; and that is, you absolutely must go and cannot possibly stop yourself.” The boy had to preach. Nothing could stop him. Fifty-two years later, he’s still preaching.
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3 comments:
I am glad you listened.
Thanks for your words yesterday Dave.
What captured me this morning was 1 Corinthians 10: 26-27 “So I ran with purpose in every step. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”
This is how I need to live, if I only do the parts of God I like Praying, helping a neighbor, giving money to the church or a friend, or even singing praise to our God. But it’s that harder stuff I am learning to put into my life being patient with family or a stranger, volunteering instead of going out for the weekend, putting Gods needs before mine, trusting (faith) in God to take care of my needs when you don’t know how it’s going to end up or journaling when I read my bible. This is a good example of where I am at in my walk with God.
Growing up to be more like a “man” of God and trying to come out of the “infant” stage we talked about earlier.
Bro, Danny
Hi Danny,
We are on the path of growth in Christ together. I can't think of a better way to grow than hunting for insights in the Bible. Thanks for sharing yours with me today.
Dave
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