Not long after I graduated from Bible College, I had the opportunity to preach at my home church, the church I attended in junior high and high school. I can’t remember the exact text I preached on, but I do remember the response of some friends. They were extremely affirming and appreciative of me for the message I preached. I was more than a little surprised by their response.

As I think back on that experience, I have to chuckle to myself. If I could listen to a recording of that message, I am certain I would be embarrassed by how I sounded and by some of the things I said. Like all preachers, I am a work in progress, and my biblical and theological knowledge has grown a lot since then. At the same time, this is a wonderful reminder of the power of God’s Word. Our job, as the Apostle Paul puts it, is to “Preach the Word!” (2 Tim. 4:2) When we put the spotlight on God’s Word, and expound it to God’s people, the Holy Spirit goes to work. No matter how weak, feeble, and inadequate we happen to be, God can and does use His messnegers.

Preaching is not as difficult as we often make it out to be. We have the greatest news in the world – the gospel! God makes this glorious message known all over the world through weak and feeble messengers, like me. He does this to the glory of His great name (see 2 Corinthians 10-12).  In sum, while the preacher is insufficient in every way, God’s Word is sufficient!  

Let me leave you with a quote from the great Baptist preacher of 19th century England, Charles Spurgeon. “The Word of God can take care of itself, and will do so if we preach it, and cease defending it. See you that lion. They have caged him for his preservation; shut him up behind iron bars to secure him from his foes! See how a band of armed men have gathered together to protect the lion. What a clatter they make with their swords and spears! These mighty men are intent upon defending a lion. O fools, and slow of heart! Open that door! Let the lord of the forest come forth free. Who will dare to encounter him? What does he want with your guardian care? Let the pure gospel go forth in all its lion-like majesty, and it will soon clear its own way and ease itself of its adversaries.”