- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Pain is a wonderful motivator.
Most people will not change unless they have to. This explains why when God was explaining to His people the pros and cons for obeying Him it took Him fourteen verses to describe the pros/blessings and fifty-four verses to describe the cons/curses (Deuteronomy 28).
This also explains why there are chapters upon chapters in the Bible describing the judgment of God. Sadly, for the most part, people will simply not change without pain.
I wish it were different, but the sad record of human experiences teaches that we are most vulnerable to backsliding when things are going well.
I highlight this truth today to remind you that your sermons/lessons must have some “bite” in them.
I am not suggesting that you be mean or harsh, but if you are not challenging your people and calling them to a life of repentance and discipline, you are doing them a great disservice and you are not being true to the calling that is upon your life.
What about you? People must see your pain to make your preaching and teaching believable. The temptation is to hide our struggles behind flowery “feel good” presentations that call neither ourselves or our people to repentance. However, when we do that our ministry has no punch and no power to transform lives.
Bottom line, one of your responsibilities as a communicator of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to create a little pain in your listener’s lives. Challenge them. Correct them. Call them to a higher standard. Creating a little pain in the classroom and sanctuary could very well save your people from a lot of pain out there in the “real world.”
“Most sports teams and civic organizations expect more of their members than churches do.” _Thom S. Rainer and Sam S. Rainer III, Essential Church, p. 6
The ONE THING 