Preacher’s Corner

On the back wall of our chapel is written the Romans 10:17 verse, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." Paul’s argument is that no one will believe unless the Gospel is preached. It is therefore plain that the preaching of the Gospel takes precedence over every other form of ministry. The preaching of the Gospel is, in fact, the most important work in which anyone will ever engage. It is putting love into action - concrete action. All else I might do in service to others will shrink nearly to trivia, since there will be a resurrection to life and to death. Paul put it like this:

For we are aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? (2 Corinthians 2:15-16)

Preachers impart the word of the Gospel in many ways. My belief is that the chief means should be public preaching in the church worship service. However, other means have almost limitless possibilities, and I delight in any presentation of the Gospel, even when those with whom I disagree do it. I take my cue from Paul:

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. (Philippians 1:15-18)

Preaching the Gospel is my great delight. I have been known to say that I pastor a church in order to preach. This may be somewhat off target, but it does express how I feel, and this "Preacher’s Corner" will be for all of us who love to preach the grace and mercy of God in our Lord Jesus Christ.