1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. -1Tim 4:1,2
It all started Monday night, two weeks ago, when I received a call from my Pastor, asking me to fill in for one of our Elders who was not well, and preach on the following Sabbath. I agreed and went about refining the sermon I had preached only a couple of weeks before at Childers church (The Silence of God).
It is amazing to me how God works because the Lord impressed me to change so many things it became a substantially different sermon, I practiced again and again, pouring over my notes, praying and being prayed for by some of my dear bothers, and sisters in the faith (you know who you are, my deep thanks to all of you).
Sabbath morning arrived and I stood to preach, after a few rocky minutes of introduction the message got underway, all I had, was this sense of assurance, I knew then and know now, that I did not speak, it was the Holy Spirit who spoke, it is a surreal experience, one I cannot adequately explain.
After it was over, I was humbled and greatly encouraged by my church family by their warmth toward me, the fact is (as I told many people) I did not preach, I simply made myself available to work for God and let him take the wheel, there is no honor or accolade due to me when God is the one who is speaking, all glory should go to him. In fact I am even somewhat uncomfortable writing this post, as it could sound to someone as if I ‘did something good for God’ but that is not it in the slightest, I am writing this simply because I wanted to communicate the fact the God did something amazing, and we are called to be witnesses of him and what he is doing in our lives.
Luke.
Speaking because i was there……. Yes. The Holy Spirit was indeed present in your words. For all those who muse the Tangibility of the Holy Spirit, think again…. It is evident that HE is indeed an individual charactor, rendering to us Knowledge and Peace and Comfort. and the manefestation of this was evident as you unfolded His word. I praise the Living God for leading us into a greater understanding and reliance of His out-pouring of Love to us.
This sermon was indeed inspired and to be used in this way was a great honour for you and for us… the ‘Hear’ers’.
I know you continually give all glory to God for this and i stand in awe of your humble heart.
Like i have always told you….. “If you have to do something for God…. You won’t be able to do anything else !”
Keep going Luke.
It will be an amazing ride !
For anyone reading the above comment, We all have a part to play in this great work, and I Praise God that He placed me in a family that has loved and supported me for the last 22 years, without them, I would not be where I am. The ‘Lyn’ above is from my mum.
Thanks Mum.
It is simply amazing is it not? I gave my life to the Lord Jesus Christ just 9 months ago. He lead me into a wednesday night bible study at a local SDA church. Prior to this I had no idea what seventh-day adventists believed, nor had I ever even heard of such a church. Needless to say, my eyes beheld the Truth as it is in Jesus, and as revealed in the Word. Since that time I find it astounding, as you mentioned in this post, how God is able to use those who are yielded to Him. I’ve been able to deliver messages to God’s people on his Holy Sabbath a couple of times, and I can see His Spirit breathing life into the church, it truly is a beautiful thing. Truthfully, there be nothing of ourselves to glory in. Only that we continue to die daily and open our hearts to the heart of Infinite love, that we may be filled and transformed into His image.
Peace and the Lord’s blessing be upon you dear brother.
Many Kind thanks for your Comment Brother Chris, i can still hear the awe in you from your first encounter with the Lord, do not lose that, keep striving onward and upward toward to goal, never settle for mediocrity or status quo, keep the scriptures before you and let him lead.
May you continue to be blessed as he uses you .
Hey Luke,
God truly is using you!
Continue to follow His leading and continue to listen to the Holy Spirit speaking to you. Here are some encouraging verses, for God’s workers, from EGW’s writings.
“God does not ask us to do in our own strength the work before us. He has provided divine assistance for all the emergencies to which our human resources are unequal. He gives the Holy Spirit to help in every strait, to strengthen our hope and assurance, to illuminate our minds and purify our hearts. . . . There is no limit to the usefulness of the one who, putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart and lives a life wholly consecrated to God. . . . Christ declared that the divine influence of the Spirit was to be with His followers unto the end.” {ML 37.4}
“In the great closing work we shall meet with perplexities that we know not how to deal with; but let us not forget that the three great powers of heaven are working, that a divine hand is on the wheel, and that God will bring His promises to pass. He will gather from the world a people who will serve Him in righteousness.” {8T 254.1}
God Bless you and the work He has for you!
From your eternal friend and sister in Christ,
Sarah.
Hi Sarah,
Deep thanks for your encouragement, it is very much appreciated, I have not seen either quote before, many thanks for searching them out and sharing them.
Hope you have a Blessed week.
Luke.