September 20.
Tied Up In The Testaments

1 Corinthian 15:3

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received…

I’ve discovered that there are those who say they are preaching the gospel, but from all indications they don’t know what the gospel is. A speaker in the pulpit may be able to keep your attention and entertain, but a person standing and talking is not necessarily preaching the gospel. Paul said you can stand on the gospel. Not only did you hear it and you’re standing on the gospel, but it is also the gospel that saved you. We must keep in memory what is taught in the gospel; otherwise we have believed in vain.

Paul said, “I delivered unto you first that which I also had received.” Too many of us are trying to preach and teach something we don’t have. It’s hard to lead in places where you haven’t been yourself. It’s hard to teach what you don’t know. Before you can preach the gospel you must have the gospel. You need to be wrapped up in the gospel, tied up in and tangled up in the gospel.

I don’t recommend that a person just decide to go to school to be a preacher; it’s too rough. When you make up your mind to go on your own, people will send you back. You must be “a can’t help it.” You have to get to the point where you can’t bring yourself to do anything else except preach. You can’t eat; you can’t sleep. It is the central focus of your whole life. Preaching is a lifestyle, not just a livelihood. How can a person start doing something God called you to do and then stop doing it? That’s playing with God. When God calls you to do something, do it with the best you’ve got; do it with all you’ve got. Don’t ever minor in God’s program; major in that. If you teach, be the best you can. If God gave you a gift to sing, be the best you can. You may not lead but you can be a good follower. Do your very best to support God’s work. When this life is over, hear the master say, “Well done, my faithful servant.”