Pray for Preaching
2 Thessalonians 3. In this closing chapter Paul condemns their idleness. It appears that some believers had stopped working and were building their lives around the second coming of Christ. Paul is very clear that the anticipation of Jesus' return should not keep them from fulfilling the basic responsibilities of life, including work. He even uses himself as an example of one who worked while he was with them. But their work ethic had turned into an entitlement mentality. [Sounds like today in this country, only difference today is folks that have stopped working are not looking for the return of Christ.] The result of all this is the fact that they became busybodys. Paul condemns this as well.
Before we leave 2 Thessalonians, I want you to notice vs.1. As Paul brings this letter to a close, he says "Pray for us." Pay close attention to that. He doesn't say, "Pray for our projects" or "Pray for our programs." He says, "Pray for our preaching" -- "Pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified..." In this 21st century of programs and projects when are we ever going to realize that it's "the preaching of the cross [that] is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God!" 1 Cor.1:18? The church today has so muddied the gospel water that we have programed the gospel to death, and we never get around to preaching Christ and Him crucified. We've got a "new way" of "doing church". We've replaced exposition with entertainment, preaching with performances, doctrine with drama, and theology with theatrics. The pulpit used to be the focal point in our churches. Today it's overshadowed by trendy worship styles and glitzy presentations. We have repackaged the gospel and have "marketed it" to "consumers." And then we wonder why there's no revival. Then we wonder why no one is getting saved. Then we wonder why the church has no influence in its community. We need to get back to preaching, and praying for the preaching. Pray for the anointing upon your preacher. Pray for the Word to be proclaimed boldly and for it not to return void. Pray for preaching!
Before we leave 2 Thessalonians, I want you to notice vs.1. As Paul brings this letter to a close, he says "Pray for us." Pay close attention to that. He doesn't say, "Pray for our projects" or "Pray for our programs." He says, "Pray for our preaching" -- "Pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified..." In this 21st century of programs and projects when are we ever going to realize that it's "the preaching of the cross [that] is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God!" 1 Cor.1:18? The church today has so muddied the gospel water that we have programed the gospel to death, and we never get around to preaching Christ and Him crucified. We've got a "new way" of "doing church". We've replaced exposition with entertainment, preaching with performances, doctrine with drama, and theology with theatrics. The pulpit used to be the focal point in our churches. Today it's overshadowed by trendy worship styles and glitzy presentations. We have repackaged the gospel and have "marketed it" to "consumers." And then we wonder why there's no revival. Then we wonder why no one is getting saved. Then we wonder why the church has no influence in its community. We need to get back to preaching, and praying for the preaching. Pray for the anointing upon your preacher. Pray for the Word to be proclaimed boldly and for it not to return void. Pray for preaching!
posted by Royce Hendry at
5:47 AM
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