Psalm of the Day: Psalm 109:16-31
Wisdom of the Day: Job 30:1-15
Scripture Reading: Luke 9:1-6
Let us observe that one of the principal works which the apostles were commissioned to take up was preaching. We read that our Lord "sent them to preach the kingdom of God," and that "they went through the towns preaching the Gospel."
The importance of preaching might easily be gathered from this passage even if it stood alone. But it is but one instance of the high value which the Bible everywhere sets upon preaching. It is God's chosen instrument for doing good to souls. By it, sinners are converted, inquirers led on, and saints built up. A sound preaching ministry is absolutely essential to the health and prosperity of a visible church. The pulpit is the place where the chief victories of the Gospel have always been won. No Church has ever done much for the advancement of true religion, in which the pulpit has been neglected.
A pastor must give the best of his attention to his sermons. He will labor and pray to make his preaching effective, and he will tell his congregation that he looks to preaching for the chief results on souls. The minister who exalts the sacraments, or rituals of the Church, above preaching may be a zealous, earnest, conscientious, and respectable minister; but his zeal is not according to knowledge. He is not a follower of the apostles.
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, please help my pastor to accurately and authoritatively preach the Word of God.
Action Plan: The modern church is trying to get away from preaching as it seems out of date or offensive. If God places so much emphasis on preaching, so should you. What was last Sunday's sermon about and how did it challenge you to be more like Christ? If you cannot remember, make it a point to be more enganged this coming Sunday.
This devotional was taken from The Gospel of Luke by J.C. Ryle published in 1858
and adapted by Pastor Tim Lewis of New England Shores Baptist Church.
