Preaching isn’t easy.
That last sentence would qualify me for the title of Captain Obvious with some. While it may be lacking in sophistication and nuance, it is nevertheless an extremely true statement.
If for no other reason, we know preaching is difficult because of regularity associated with it. I heard one preacher recently comment on this aspect by saying, “Preaching is difficult because you know Sunday comes around every three days.”
Sure, it only seems that way but anyone who preaches and pastors on a regular basis gets what he was trying to say.
But the real danger of the difficulty of preaching is not so much that it can’t be done. It can be and is every week. Instead the danger for those who preach is that we stop seeing it for what it truly is.
Because more than anything else, preaching is a privilege. An amazing privilege.
Paul could hardly believe that he was allowed the privilege of preaching. In Ephesians 3:8, he writes, “To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,” It was by grace, not his own merit, that he was able to preach the message of the greatness of Christ.
- Maybe I need to post that verse over my desk in my regular place of study or on top of the monitor I use to prepare my messages.
- Maybe I need someone to text me that verse during those weeks in which I conduct a funeral as well as prepare three biblical sermons.
- Maybe I need my church to include those words on the paycheck I cash each week when I complain that I’m underpaid for the labor of my ministry.
And maybe you are underpaid as you labor in preaching and teaching but only receive a half portion of honor (1 Timothy 5:17). But stop for a minute and think about this. God uses the content of your sermons to bring to salvation those who place their faith in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:21). What an incredible thought! Heaven will be populated in part because of sermons like yours. And you will share that glorious space with some only because God anointed and empowered to preach His great gospel.
I’m curious. I’d like to hear from you. What are some reasons that make preaching a true privilege?