You May Want to Turn Up the Volume
And a few prayer requests.
Two churches have invited me to preach for them the two Sundays after Christmas. Historically, these are weeks I took off when serving as a lead pastor. Now I find myself filling the role of the guest preacher.
What a blessing!
I remember how physically and emotionally exhausted I’d be after a long fall of ministry, with the intensity of Advent culminating in Christmas Eve services. Taking a couple of Sundays to recover before launching into a new year was a gift. Now I get to give that gift.
I’m going to be teaching on 1 John 1:5-9.
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
The sermon title is “The Prerequisite for Authentic Community.” Can you guess what it is? I’m tempted to share some message nuggets. Hmmm… no, I’ll wait. 🤓
Rather than writing on the topic in this post, I’m asking you to pray for me as I prepare to bring the Father’s word of grace in Jesus to those he loves. The Sundays are December 26 and January 2.
To that end, I have three requests:
Pray that as I stand to speak, I’ll be mindful of my condition as the worst of sinners (in the flesh) and the most beloved of saints (in Jesus) at the same time. Pray I’ll preach, in Spurgeon’s words, “as a beggar telling other beggars where I found bread.” With that tone, I want to teach with the compelling tenderness of Jesus, whose kindness leads us to genuine repentance and sincere faith.
Please pray away my religious pretense. Titles and degrees are rubbish for a man to carry into the pulpit. All I want as my righteousness as I stand to speak is the blood of Jesus shed for me, which cleanses me from all sin and covers me with the beauty of Jesus.
Pray for those who attend the services. Ask the Father to give them receptive hearts to the message of God’s unbounded love and immeasurable grace. My deep desire is for them to drink deeply and to be refreshed in soul, for their joy and unto the praise and glory of God.
One more thing…
A hymn to sing, believe, and savor — ”Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery.” You may want to turn up the volume on the 4th stanza. 🙂
Merry Christmas, friends!
McKay
Thank you, McKay. What a wonderful message, and thank you also for sending that hymn!! I sang along at full volume and it did my heart so much good. Blessings to you and yours.