Here a little, There a little.

Its has been a trying week as Satan has taken one shot after another at the body of Christ where I pastor, and at myself. One of those shots at the church was directed just moments ago as I considered my sermon for Sunday morning. In fact I will have to go back and plead with the Lord to give me something fresh.

As a pastor, it grieves my heart when church members who claim to be saved trifle with church attendance. And then when the Lord chastises them, they turn over the supposed "new leaf" in an effort to get the chastening stopped. Then there is the problem of pastorly flesh which, if the missing congregants happen to make it to church, desires to bring correction in the sermon. But flesh has no business in this department. In spite of their failures, I am to preach the Word as the Lord gives, and I believe, expositorily, providing quality food for the sheep. The preaching of the whole counsel of God will only do.

Of course, we should preach repentance and it should be preached loudly and firmly to all the sheep. But that repentance ought to come by brokenness over sin that has reproached our Lord and Savior. The truth of the demands of Gospel is the heart breaker, and though we would desire to vent our frustration toward wayward church members, when all is said and done, it will be the clear presentaion of Christ that will convert or dam them. In the words of the late Vance Havner, the Gospel of Jesus Christ with either make them glad, mad or sad.

So we pray for a fresh word from Heaven that will break the back of sin in the lives of those who call themselves His sheep, and those who don't as well. Pray for me that I remain committed to a full, clear, concise presentation of God's Word.