As a preacher, I’m rightly concerned with the content of each of my Sunday sermons. I must confess, however, that I can fall into the trap of being overly concerned with what people think of my message—not whether or not the message is clearly understood or whether the people and the Lord Himself are blessed by what I say. I can become more concerned with the goal of having church members like what I say and approve of my message. Sometimes a furrowed brow in the congregation, especially from someone I know and respect spiritually, can seriously interrupt my flow and cause me no small amount of consternation. In 2 Samuel 6:12-23, David didn’t dabble in such self-obsession as he danced “with all his might” before the ark (2 Samuel 6:14). His behavior wasn’t becoming for a king, nor was it in keeping with the character of a mighty warrior. (“Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” the people sang in 1 Samuel 18:7.) Mighty warriors and kings simply didn’t behave so passionately, so exuberantly in front of their subjects. What must his generals have thought? But David danced before God “with all his might,” because God is worthy of all our worship, and He demands our all. The writer of the great hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” put it perfectly: “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” Likewise, in John 7:1-52, we read of Jesus passionately doing what His Father wanted Him to do. His family, the Jews, the multitude, and the Pharisees all turned on Him! But He pressed on, despite their sniping words and physical attacks. Only His Father’s opinion really mattered. May that also be true of us as we passionately serve our audience of One. — Russell Fralick
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 20:00:08 +0000