I am currently teaching a course called NEW TESTAMENT FOUNDATIONS as an adjunct
instructor for Winebrenner Theological Seminary. The course is provided as part what is known
as the Pastoral Training Institute.
Essentially, the bulk of my students , who are currently involved in
secular professions, are pursuing the goal of becoming local church
pastors.
Each time I teach this course, I begin with these words
to those who would presume to be pastors and teachers, who will occupy pulpits
and classrooms to connect people with the Bible and its revelatory truth for
humankind. In many ways, there is a
certain audacity to preaching that must be grounded in obedient humility. These
are the four things I tell them:
You are the
Servant of this Book … it is God’s Holy Word
Remember what else is called the Word. Jesus Christ. Karl Barth called the Bible the Word of God
Written to distinguish it from Jesus Christ, the Word become flesh. With that in mind, remember ---
It is not your tool. You are its servant … This is a
sacred book, to be held in highest esteem.
“Do your best to present yourself as one approved, a
workman who does not need to ve ashamed and correctly handles the word of
truth.” – 2 Timothy 2.15
It is truth and points men and women to the
Truth—Jesus Christ-the Truth Who sets us free. (Henry Blackaby “Truth is a
person.”)
Never underestimate its impact and its power.
“… so is my word that goes out of my mouth: It will not
return to me empty. but will I accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose
for which I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:11
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