Monday 19 July 2010

'Nothing encourages and strengthens the people of God like the Word of God.'


As I plan ahead for the next year my central strategy for pastoring our congregation is simply to teach the word.  It can be tempting to think that we need to do something more spectacular.  Can spoken words really change lives and build the kingdom?  We need to regularly remind ourselves that to expound the Scriptures is to apply no ordinary truth.  Remember that the word of God is living and active (Heb. 4:12), God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuilding, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16).  So I would recommend sticking to the text, explain and apply it, and have confidence that God can do great things through it.  In his commentary on Acts John Stott writes, 'Nothing encourages and strengthens the people of God like the Word of God.' 

1 comment:

Boaly said...

A hearty 'amen' to this.