Don’t let there be any doubt that you are convinced…

• 

  2 Peter 1:19-21 (NKJV) And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

You’re probably like me, most Saturday nights I sit down one more time before closing the books on my preparations for Sunday’s message go through me thoughts just to make sure…

Just to make sure what?

Last week I gave you a final litmus test to put your sermon or lesson through: Is it truly Christian?

Tonight I’d like to add to another thought: Do you really believe what you’re going to deliver tomorrow?

Take for example Peter’s words in the text I gave you above. Prophecy is a very controversial subject. There are many who question it’s reliability and accuracy. The same must have been true in Peter’s day. However, there is one thing for sure, others may have doubted whether or not the prophecies in the bible were true; but they could have no doubt that Peter believed they were true.

There is a boldness and effectiveness that comes with truly believing what you are saying. I’m not talking about preaching the party line or going with the overall consensus or “grandstand preaching” (going with what you know your people like and believe); no-I’m talking about believing something because you’re absolutely convinced before God and believe in your heart that it is vital and essential for your people to know and practice.

There are things at this stage of your ministry that you are not prepared to speak on with authority; to do so is going to weaken your delivery and effectiveness. If you’re not deep-in-your-gut-convinced about tomorrow’s topic then wait. Prepare yourself, waiting until you’re convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt and then stand before your people with a “thus says the Lord” word.

Whatever you speak about tomorrow there will probably be people there that will not completely agree with you. But whatever their thoughts and opinion on your subject, let there be one thing they are certain about: let there be no doubt whatsoever that you believe what you’re talking about.

Blessings and rest well in the assurance that you are right about tomorrow’s message/lesson.

_dlk