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Of Pastors & Pyramids: Master Builders Required

  • Ron Walters Vice President of Church Relations, Salem Communications
  • Updated May 25, 2010
Of Pastors & Pyramids: Master Builders Required


His business card read: Hemiunu, Pyramid Builder.

In 2570 BC, armed with blueprints, surveyor's tools, and unlimited slave labor, Hemiunu rolled up his sleeves to fashion the world's most elaborate coffin for Khufu, Pharaoh of Egypt. And, in doing so, constructed one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The Great Pyramid of Giza.

Even then, Pyramid construction was not your run-of-the-mill business. There were no mail order kits to buy, no Home Depot for supplies, no Pyramids-Are-Us showrooms to visit.

Hemiunu's job was the equivalent to carving Mr. Rushmore with a butter knife or fitting the Eiffel Tower with pliers. And today, no other man-made monument compares in size, detail and sheer amazement.

This expertly designed rock pile celebrates the imagination of the dreamer as well as the aching back of the doer. The Great Pyramid stands 450 feet above the desert floor and covers 13 acres. It contains more than 2 million stone blocks, each averaging 21/2 tons. And inside the Pyramid's core are almost a quarter-mile of passageways, elaborate chambers, and several trap doors.

It's an architectural marvel, yet its massive complexity is built upon a very simple equation: (D x S + E + T = GP), or Design multiplied by Substance plus Energy plus Time equals Great Pyramid.

It's the same equation used in evangelism.

As with building a pyramid, bringing life to the human soul is never an instantaneous event. The words quick and conversion are mutually exclusive. The battle for the heart wouldn't stand for it. In fact, quickie conversions are code words for, "Don't you believe it!" Instant believe-ism is most often filled with misunderstandings, deceptions, or both.

Redemption is also D x S + E + T, design multiplied by substance plus energy plus time. How many questions had Nicodemus asked himself before he brought his list to Jesus? How much heartbreak had the Samaritan woman felt before she gave her heart to the Savior? How many Christian testimonies had Saul silenced before he yielded to their message? How much bondage had the Philippian jailor experienced before he asked, "What must I do to be saved?"

A soul's conversion is a journey from 1 to 100. Each step is linked to another; no motion is wasted. It goes something like this:

  • A man, invited to church, hears the gospel for the first time-1 to 6. 
  • He hears a friend's testimony-11 to 14. 
  • Curiosity causes him to read from God's word-19 to 27. 
  • A co-worker shares the love of Christ-30 to 36. 
  • A Christian concert takes him from 41 to 45. 
  • He tunes in to hear teaching on Christian radio-47 to 54. 
  • He's back in church with an open mind-58 to 70. 
  • He asks a friend about your message-70 to 74. 
  • More Christian radio on a sleepless night-77 to 81. 
  • Someone walks him through the plan of salvation-84 to 90. 
  • He observes Christ-likeness in a friend-93 to 98. 
  • He prays a prayer of faith and repentance-99 to 100.

The angels rejoice.

No word or action was wasted. Witnessing's accrual paid eternal dividends, all at the perfect moment. And, the end result is the birth of a human soul. One of the true wonders of the world.

God's divine construction plan uses every message you give, every testimony shared, and every teaching program we air, "so that the body of Christ may be built up." There are no throw-away Sundays, no unimportant preaching times. Every time you stand before your people and proclaim, "Thus says the Lord..." raises their notch of understanding and contributes to their walk with God.

Hemiunu has nothing on us. We're master builders too. Our tools are timeless. And what we're constructing will outlive the pyramids by an eternity.

Blessings,

Ron Walters
Vice President of Church Relations
P.S. If you're looking for great preaching tools, don't forget Preaching Magazine. It's my favorite. Check it out at Preaching.com. Do your congregation a favor by subscribing.

Publication date: May 25, 2010