I love this simple definition of preaching given by Alan Storey, a pastor from Capetown, South Africa.

Scripture

“These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” Acts 17:6-7

You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.” Acts 17:20

Observation
When speaking in public, the speaker focuses most of his attention on what he or she has to say. But it is just as significant for the speaker to know what is heard. Preaching is more than the message that a pastor speaks, but it is also what the hearers hear. Fine details may slip from their memories but did they “get it?”

Paul’s hearers heard it, even if they did not understand what he was saying. In one city, they heard Paul to say that Jesus was a king supreme over all kings including caesar. Not a bad job of understanding. In another city, they heard Paul to speak “strange” ideas that did not flow with their normal course of thought and scientific reasoning. In both places they grasped that Paul was bringing a new teaching that would turn their world right side up.

Application
As I reflect on the exit poll of Paul’s preaching, I find myself wondering if I preach enough “strange ideas” that clearly present that there is “another king, one called Jesus.” In contemporary church life we have morphed Jesus is Lord into Jesus is Helper. Instead of being a king we follow into his kingdom he has become a partner who follows us into our world. I don’t want to preach Jesus that way. As Billy Sunday said, “People say I rub the fur the wrong way. Then let the cats turn around.” “A good sermon has one offensive point; a really good one has multiple ones,” says Mark Driscoll. Repentance means a total reordering of our thinking about who God is and who we are in light of him. He has not come to join my world but to bring me into his.

Prayer
Father, make me a preacher who comforts the disturbed and disturbs the comfortable. Amen.

Press the arrow to listen…Jesus is still the desire of all.

Scripture
Q1: How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?
Q2: And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
Q3: And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
Q4: And how can they preach unless they are sent?
As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15

Observation
Wooha! Wait a minute Paul! He just asked four really hard questions and then changed the subject. How very Paul. Entrepeneur. Global. Big picture.

But those questions need an answer. They are a matter of life and death. People need Jesus. Without him living is mundane and dying only beings misery. Jesus is everything, but unless his name is spoken how can they turn to him?

I have a friend who has devoted his entire life to reaching unreached people in China. Since the Tianamen massacre he has visited every city and town in China to reach as many as he can. He told me of visiting one village and asking a waitress if she had heard of Jesus. She had not heard the name before, and ran to the kitchen to find out. She came back with the manager who said that she thought he lived in the next village.

How can they call if they don’t believe?
How can they believe if they haven’t heard?
How can they hear without a preacher?

We can try asking those questions of God, but he won’t answer them. If we pick up these questions we’ll only ask them of ourselves. There is only one conclusion. God needs those who will preach. And if we look at the questions long enough, they call us out of the line to step forward to volunteer.

But then there is the last question. It is the hardest one of all:

And how can they preach unless they are sent?

Only God can answer that one. We can be willing, but only God can do the sending. I think God delays on this one because he wants the pain that he feels to sink into us. He can see the world, every nook and cranny of bedrooms, Starbucks, offices, sidewalks where billions, each with a name, are calling out into the void for answers. He wants to speak to them, but needs a speaker. In between God and people is a gap of silence that calls for a voice. Who will speak for him?

Application
Twenty-eight years ago I first asked those questions of myself and have spent the rest of my life in ministry. But today I feel the weight of those questions all over again. There is a God who wants to speak and there are people who are calling out in the emptiness for answers. I want to speak for him. I cannot be silent.

Prayer
Father, here I am. To those who haven’t believed, to those who haven’t heard, to those who have no preacher, please send me. Here I am, send me. Amen.

Scripture
Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:18-19

Observation
What kind of people did Jesus notice while he walked the earth? It’s important to know, because too often we take notice of the wrong type of people. If his focus is our focus then we can do the works of Jesus better.

Here are those Jesus noticed.

1. People who don’t go to church. Those uncomfortable in a synagogue seemed to be his favorites. He didn’t make the assumption that those who don’t go to church are not interested in God. Instead he looked in the eyes of the 90 per cent of the population and found something of the God-spark in them. The disciples seemed to drift to the pharisees, but Jesus kept the focus on those who have not yet come. As he became more popular he fought himself out of the circle of adoration and directed more attention on them. They mattered much to him.

2. Little people with big faith. Not much impressed Jesus except faith. When he saw faith everything stopped. Great faith was the only thing that would bring surprise to his face.

3. Unassembled leaders. Jesus ignored the seminaries in favor of the business world. There he found leaders in the rough. He saw potential in others before they could see it in themselves. He cherished that potential and mined it out with great skill.

4. Those hungry from obedience. Hungry people brought the most out of Jesus. He spoke for 3 days to hungry people until they were starving. He called his family members those who hear the word of God and obey it. There was little patience in Jesus with those who were lazy and hungry. But give him a hardworking man, hungry from doing his will and his attention was aroused.

Who didn’t get special attention from Jesus? Anyone who was satisfied with themselves, resting on their achievements, who felt just that little bit better than others to be good enough for God. They did receive attention from Jesus, but not the kind we would like to receive.

Application
My leadership is limited by the people I notice or don’t notice. If I’m caught up in my own self-importance or pride in my cause, I only notice star players who can help me look good. We may shine, but Jesus will not be seen. But if I can get over myself enough to be enamored with Jesus, there is hope that I will notice his kind of people. There is something in church life that fights against noticing Jesus’ kind of people. It’s called “redemption lift”. Following Jesus improves my condition and so I forget from when I came. I must fight to get back to origins, so that I remain the kind of person Jesus would want to notice. Then there is home that I will be focused on Jesus’ friends.

Prayer
Father, everything in church life pulls me away from these beautiful people. We create church for folks like us. We are more impressed with credentials than with faith. We want ready-made leaders rather than the unassembled ones. We want a banquet hall without a work out room. Jesus save me from your followers lest we make a world that is comfortable for us. Just as you repeatedly pulled the disciples out of comfort zones, so keep me in a world where I can see things as you do. I choose today to value those you value. Just help me to get over myself. Amen.

Press the arrow to listen to JesusCulture.org sing “Where You Go I Go” as you read today’s devotion about money.

Scripture
But by the twenty-third year of Joash’s rule, the priests hadn’t done one thing—The Temple was as dilapidated as ever.

King Joash called Jehoiada the priest and the company of priests and said, “Why haven’t you renovated this sorry-looking Temple? You are forbidden to take any more money for Temple repairs—from now on, hand over everything you get.” 2 Kings 12:6-7 [The Message]

Observation
God’s house was dilapidated not because there wasn’t enough money but because the priests put their own needs first.  Before the house was fixed they first wanted to be paid. After all they had house payments, kids to feed and put through school. It all seemed reasonable.

But it was not acceptable. Before the workers could be paid, God’s need first had to be met. It took a leader like the King to see the problem clearly.

Application
I’ve tried to keep the principle throughout life that first the expenses of the church should be met and then my own salary as a pastor. There have been times I’ve gone without pay because of that decision. We need leaders like King Joash who see priorities clearly. May I see those priorities today. This principle is easier to remember when church planting, but when the church becomes more established it becomes fuzzy.

Prayer
Father keep my perspective clear. The church does not exist to support me, but I am here as a leader to serve the church. Thank you for the gift of income you have for me to use. I don’t take it for granted. Amen.