But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. -I Thessalonians 2:4
Sunday morning is an important time for believers because we come to church to worship, but it’s also an important time for preachers because we have been entrusted with so great a task, which is that of preaching the gospel. I recall when I was a seminary student studying theology under Dr. Wayne Ward. Dr. Ward pointed out one day that if a doctor makes a mistake during surgery it could create a medical problem for the rest of the patient’s life. However, if the preacher makes a mistake, someone might choose to not come to faith in Christ and be condemned for all eternity. We cannot underestimate the critical importance of proclaiming the gospel to those in need of salvation.
The Bible speaks of the sacred trust of the Gospel. God allows the preacher and those in the ministry to be trusted with a great and awesome task; that of proclaiming the way of salvation. That is a charge, a task, that should be taken seriously, and it merits handling with great care. The devil is alive and well, and he is out to not only discourage, but to destroy. As followers of Christ we are called to pray for one another, stand firm on the Word of God, and boldly proclaim the gospel of Christ without fear and without compromise.
Let us be so close to God, so deep in His Word, so soaked in prayer, that we can stand when the devil starts firing his arrows – and they are always the flaming kind (Ephesians 6:16). With God’s help we can stand firm and be the witnesses, the preachers, and servants the Lord has called us to be.
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