Every Christmas, our attention turns to Bethlehem. We sing of angels and shepherds, and of God stepping into human history wrapped in humility and grace. The King of kings was laid in a lowly manger.
Dare we call something preaching that has not these two elements?
Is reading, quoting, or explaining the Bible without the Spirit of God’s power really preaching?
Does someone who is filled with the Holy Spirit but never uses Scripture accomplish the task of preaching?
We tend to enlarge ourselves in our own imaginations. We think we are strong and capable. But the greatness and majesty of God’s creation reminds us of just how small we really are—how needy we are of the power of God in our lives.
Whether you pastor a large congregation or a church plant, whether you have a paid staff or you’re working entirely with volunteers, this truth holds steady: the strength of your ministry rises or falls on the strength of the leaders you reproduce.
Our culture preaches that life is found in possessions—bigger houses, newer cars, more vacations. Jesus teaches the opposite: deny self and follow Him.
Every growing Christian desires to share their faith effectively.
This desire is natural because if you know the Lord, you want others to know Him too.
Jesus Himself commanded us to share the gospel: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). This Great Commission is not just for pastors or missionaries; it is for every Christian.
Some Christians view the role of the Holy Spirit in soulwinning something like the role of training wheels on a bike—helpful for a time, but a need we outgrow as we gain experience in our witness. Nothing could be further from the truth.