By Mike Glenn Any pastor will tell you finding good sermon illustrations is one of the hardest things about preaching. We are constantly looking for that one great story, that one newspaper article or circulating meme that will bind the sermon’s point into the heart and mind of the congregation. We subscribe to blogs. We read lots of books, blogs and website articles – we write down cute things our children say – just so we’ll have that compelling story on Sunday morning no one will forget. If pastors were truthful, they would confess many weeks they’ll spend more time looking for a good illustration than actually studying the Scripture.
All week I have been meditating on this verse, repeated many times in Acts, “The word of God kept spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.”
How was the “word of God” spreading? Scripture just didn’t get feet and start walking around. No, but the scripture, the scripture preached, the scripture breathed on (by the HS) and the scripture incarnated in the lives of those who responded in belief to what was given them, allowed the word of God to continue to increase.
We have scripture, we have preaching, but is the word incarnated, given flesh, in those who hear it? Is it incarnated in such a way that it allows the word of God to continue to spread or increase?
Yes!! Thanks Mike. Truly changed and transformed lives are the best "illustration" for who Jesus is and what He can do in our lives. As a pastor, I appreciate your insights into our calling.
All week I have been meditating on this verse, repeated many times in Acts, “The word of God kept spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.”
How was the “word of God” spreading? Scripture just didn’t get feet and start walking around. No, but the scripture, the scripture preached, the scripture breathed on (by the HS) and the scripture incarnated in the lives of those who responded in belief to what was given them, allowed the word of God to continue to increase.
We have scripture, we have preaching, but is the word incarnated, given flesh, in those who hear it? Is it incarnated in such a way that it allows the word of God to continue to spread or increase?
Just my thoughts.
Yes!! Thanks Mike. Truly changed and transformed lives are the best "illustration" for who Jesus is and what He can do in our lives. As a pastor, I appreciate your insights into our calling.
Spot on Mike thank you for your insights.