There are beautiful memories of my childhood centered around the work and activities of the church. On more than one occasion someone would say something along the lines of, “We’ve got to go to church.” Our Mom would always respond the same way. “Don’t say, we’ve got to go to church, say we GET to go to church!” That statement has been ingrained in my memory all my life.
It hit me the other night that it is possible for that to be a great way for us to look at preaching and ministry. One of our approaches to our work should be, we’ve got to preach the Gospel. Our brother Paul said, “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast about, for I am under compulsion; for woe to me if I do not preach the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:16) If we are preachers, we need to feel a burden on our hearts that will never allow us to stop preaching the Gospel.
We are reminded of Jeremiah who was arrested for preaching. He said that the Word of God had become a reproach and a derision for him. He seriously considered quitting. “But if I say, ‘I will not remember Him or speak anymore in His name,’ then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it.” (Jeremiah 20:9-10)
Another way for us to approach our work as a preacher and/or a minister is to say, “We GET to preach the Gospel.” Notice Paul’s approach to his life’s work. “If indeed you have heard of the administration of God’s grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery…” (Ephesians 3:2-3) Our dear brother considered preaching the Gospel a gift of God’s grace.
His language in this chapter expresses his respect for the Word of God and how he viewed God’s Word, as well as his relationship to God’s Word. “To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to enlighten all people as to what the plan of the mystery is which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things.” (Ephesians 3:8-9)
Not only should we as preachers feel a great burden on our hearts, but we should also have great joy and appreciation in our hearts as we work for the Lord. The proper balance between these two ideas will help us remain loyal to God and to persevere throughout our life.
