Scripture Reading
1 Peter 3:15. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Jeremiah 4:4-8. The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 20:9. But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
1 Timothy 4:12. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
Culture Reading
No culture reading today.
Devotional Thought
My first preaching engagement came in Uganda, in 1984. I was a sophomore in high school. Three members of my high school basketball team (yes, I played high school basketball) we asked to take a trip with Global Outreach missions. Our goal was to teach basketball in local schools and share the Gospel each day during breaks in the training and in revival services every night. Our second Sunday (on a 6-week trip) we were asked to preach in local Ugandan churches. We had 8 adults (college students and adult leaders) prepared to preach on our trip that year, and there were 9 opportunities. Since I was called to be a minister, my friends recommended that I take the extra opportunity. They gave me a passage (Philippians 2) and gave me a crash course in preaching that Saturday night. We drove over an hour to arrive at the church—a grass and mud building in the middle of a field. They dropped me and a team member off and disappeared down the road.
We were greeted by music and worship. We shared testimonies and songs. Then I preached my message. I had never worked with a translator before, but I do not remember anything negative about it. I preached for what seemed like an hour, but my partner swears to this day that it was about 10 minutes—with a translator! I was in no way fully prepared for what God would do that day—in me or in that church. In some ways, the message was just as powerful for me as it was for those to whom I preached. Philippians 2 focuses on humility and Christ-likeness. I was certainly humbled.
I have often thought about how young and ill-prepared I was. But today I also remember what a joyous occasion it was to present God’s word with a group of hopeful Ugandan Christians who were excited for me to hear it. The celebration after the sermon lasted as long as the sermon itself—with dancing and even one woman who prayed in tongues for at least 15 minutes at the end of the service. We were escorted to a feast outside of the church and ate ugali (corn meal), potatoes, chicken meat, broth, and Sukuma wiki (boiled garden greens). And of course we drank chai. Our driver arrived just as we had taken our chai. We were whisked down the road in order to pick up the other groups on the way back to our compound in Jinja.
As I think about that experience, I realize that I was not fully trained or prepared to preach a full sermon. But I was willing and excited to fulfill my calling to the best of my ability. And God used me—and taught me—through my willingness. Even though my sermon would have failed my seminary preaching class, it was the best I could do in the moment. And it was right for me to fulfill my place as a team member. I learned more about missions and ministry through willing obedience, risk and failure, and graceful encouragement than I ever did by preaching my "best" sermon.
I have had plenty of time to improve in all aspects of ministry since that day. But the best preaching advice I have received over the years still holds true: always have a sermon (testimony) ready, regardless of the circumstances because you should always be ready to proclaim God’s message when the opportunity presents itself. It was true when I was 14. It is still true today.
Reflection and Prayer
Pray that God will use your gifts for his glory on our trip.
Pray for each member of our team—that we will all be ready to take advantage of God-given opportunities to serve.
Pray that we will be confident in our preparation and in God’s guidance on our tip.
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