As I have been preparing this week to preach Ephesians 1:7, 8 on the redemption of Christ, I was refreshed with this encouragement from one of my favorite preaching books. My prayer is to be faithful to God and to fear Him alone. If in my mind I begin to entertain thoughts characterized by the fear of man (see Prov 29:25), then all I will care about is personal acceptance, my reputation, and whom I might offend/displease.
Acts 4:29 says, "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness...31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."
Pray that we all have a deep conviction that when we say what the Bible says, we speak what God desires. So preach with courage for God.
Praise God for the leaders at Valley who seek to please Him by preaching His word.
ReplyDeleteAmen Mike!
ReplyDelete"For a time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths" (2 Tim 4:3, 4).