Try To Forget, Try To Remember
Sunday you will stand in front of an audience of people to proclaim the Word of God. In that audience there will be a someone who is in more physical pain than you can imagine. In your audience someone will be contemplating divorce, someone will be hurting because of physical, mental, or social abuse. Someone in your audience will be wondering how they are going to pay their bills this week. Someone in your audience will be afraid they are going to lose their job.
In your audience there will be a teenager who feels guilty because of something they did wrong over the weekend. Someone will be struggling with their prayer life. Someone will wonder if anyone will speak to them today.
In your audience will be someone who has recently lost the closest person in the world to them. Someone will be thinking about the report they are waiting on from the doctor. Someone will be praying that God will help them figure out their future.
In your audience will be a single Christian who will be wondering if they will ever find that special forever person. Someone will be wondering what happened to that person who promised to care for them forever and now doesn’t seem to care.
In your audience will be children who are not secure because their parents are always fighting. Someone will be consumed with guilt and will be wondering if God will ever love them again.
In your audience someone will be considering walking away for the Lord and His Church. Someone will be waiting for you to tell them what they need to do with their life. Someone will be contemplating giving their life to the Lord.
How in the world can those of us who preach the Word of God navigate this terrain? It might help if we would try to forget a few things and try to remember a few things.
Just for today, try to forget about the person who told you on the way out the door last week that you mispronounced a word, misquoted a verse, or missed a point on your handout.
Just for today, try to forget about the one elder who has made it clear that he wants you gone.
Just for today, try to forget about the failure you had last week.
Just for today, try to forget about the feeling you had because last week’s sermon didn’t go as planned.
Just for today, try to forget about the repairs that need to be made on your house or your car.
Just for today, try to forget about your financial worries.
Just for today, try to forget about that counseling session that has been burdening your heart.
Just for today, try to forget about the
Today, try to remember that you are a man of God. (1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Today, try to remember that also in your audience is Jesus who mediates even for you. (1 Timothy 2:5)
Today, try to remember that you have the Spirit of God dwelling in you. (1 Corinthians 4:16; Romans 8:9; Ephesians 4:30)
Today, try to remember that God has given you a very serious charge. (2 Timothy 4:1-4)
Today, try to remember that God will be with you as you proclaim His Word. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Today, try to remember before your preach to boldly approach the throne of God. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
Today, try to remember to proclaim the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20:27)
Today, try to remember to preach the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:13)
Today, try to remember to have the mind of Christ as you speak. (Philippians 2
Today, try to remember to look at the people with the compassion of Jesus. (Matthew 9:36)
Today, try to remember that God loves you unconditionally. (John 3:16; Romans 5:8)
Today, try to remember that you are preaching a transforming message that is Good News. (Romans 1:16)
Today, try to remember that you are a part of a multitude of men who are linked together in the greatest work in the world.
Dear Father, be with those of us who will be proclaiming Your Word on Sunday. Help us to be able to remain focused on our task. Help us never forget that we are preaching a life-changing message. Help us take those who hear us to the cross. Help us, dear God to get out of the way so that everyone present can see Jesus. In His marvelous Name we pray, Amen.