Put Something in the Box…

One sharp young pastor that had only been on the job for about two months asked the question: “Out of all the things I’ve heard this week what is the one thing that I should focus on first?” 

I’ve been there, he was overwhelmed.  We had sat at the feet of great men who had devoted a life-time to the ministry.  What they had shared had come from deep waters of wisdom (Proverbs 18:4).  However, for a young minister the capacity and the context to relate too much of what had been said may have not been there.  That’s not a bad reflection on the young man it’s a fact of life that all of us have to deal with at the different stages of life and ministry. 

The answer to the young pastor’s question is what gave me pause.  The answer, through a good one, was not really the answer that young man needed (at least in my opinion and that is what this briefing is…my opinion 🙂).   

It was at that moment that I realized that the ONE THING that a preacher or teacher must focus on was barely mentioned during the entire conference.  Looking back over many conferences I’ve attended, that has often been the case.   

So what is the ONE THING that a preacher or teacher must focus on?   

ANSWER: If you only have time to devote yourself to one thing each day as it relates to your ministry and if you can only get one thing right on the day that you are to minister then the ONE THING must be your sermon or lesson. 

I know this seems obvious, but I’m afraid many preachers and teachers forget this.   

You can have the best greeters and ushers and singers and refreshments and technology and whatever forever and ever…but if you fail to produce a meaningful and interesting message or lesson you’ve failed your people (and the God who called you). 

Remember, the people you serve, most often think of you in your role as a spokesman for God.  If someone were to ask your people on any day of the week what you were doing they probably wouldn’t have a clue.  They have no idea of the complexity of the ministry and the many responsibilities that you shoulder.  However, the one thing they figure you’re doing is praying and studying in preparation for your next message.  Matter of fact they’re counting on it.  When they think of you, most often they think of you in terms of your preaching and teaching – this is what they’re counting on you to do well. 

God’s people have suffered through enough long, boring and meaningless messages and lessons; let’s you and I commit to not add anymore to their suffering.  If we can only get one thing done each week let’s be prepared for the moment we stand before God’s people and say, “Thus says the Lord…” 

If you get that ONE THING right I promise you your people will give you a lot of grace in those areas that the church may be temporarily weak.  Furthermore, if you keep giving your people a strong, interesting and relevant-to-their-lives word your church will grow to the point that you will have the resources needed to address some of the other issues. 

Next week I’ll share with you a little template that I work through with each of my sermons and lessons that I have found to be very helpful.  But for today let me close with two suggestions for being ready when you speak: 

FIRST: Know what you’re going to speak about at least three-four weeks in advance.   

• What I mean by that is that you have your topic and a general idea of what you want to achieve.  I do not mean that you have your presentation completed. 
• The benefit of this is that you have more time for the Holy Spirit to set you up for teachable moments when you’re three/four weeks out.  A great sermon or lesson cannot be microwaved; they must simmer for a good while.   

SECOND: Make time daily to study for your up-coming sermon or lesson.   

• I have discovered that I do much better giving small bits of time to my Sunday message than trying to cram on the weekend.  Again, this is the “simmering” principle.  When you take a few minutes each day (especially over a three/four week period) to reflect and study for your message/lesson it gets into your bones; it becomes a part of you; it changes you and then when you stand before God’s people you are speaking from experience and from the overflow of your life.  In other words you’re not just preaching or teaching you’re also testifying and Jesus promises divine power to do that (Acts 1:8). 
• And by the way, don’t let people put you on a guilt trip for including your sermon/lesson preparation in with your devotional time.  Remember, the first person you’re preparing that presentation for is you.  Don’t expect your preaching or teaching to change others if it has not first changed you. 

So there you have it: If you only have time each day to do one thing right – give that time to the most important part of a preacher and teacher’s calling: the “Thus says the Lord” word for your people. 

To get all the other things right (as good as they are) but fail to do that is like giving someone a beautifully wrapped gift box that is empty.