Preaching Daily - June 26

Today's Reading...

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only,+t,+u who is at the Father's side, has made him known. 
John 1:17-18

Today's Devotional Insight...

Swindoll's Leadership Lessons

Chuck Swindoll was given a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Catalyst '09 Conference. During his presentation, he described "10 Things I Have Learned During Nearly 50 Years in Leadership." Here's the list:

1) It's lonely to lead. Leadership involves tough decisions. The tougher the decision, the lonelier it is.

2) It's dangerous to succeed. I'm most concerned for those who aren't even 30 and are very gifted and successful. Sometimes God uses someone right out of youth, but usually He uses leaders who have been crushed.

3) It's hardest at home. No one ever told me this in seminary.

4) It's essential to be real. If there's one realm where phoniness is common, it's among leaders. Stay real.

5) It's painful to obey. The Lord will direct you to do some things that won't be your choice. Invariably you will give up what you want to do for the cross.

6) Brokenness and failure are necessary.

7) Attitude is more important than actions. Your family may not have told you: Some of you are hard to be around. A bad attitude overshadows good actions.

8) Integrity eclipses image. Today we highlight image, but it's what you're doing behind the scenes.

9) God's way is better than my way.

10) Christ-likeness begins and ends with humility. 

Stand for Truth

In an article on "Preaching and Applying Truth" in a past issue of Preaching, Bob Russell wrote: "A wealthy businessman in our community who had pledged a million dollars to our building fund came to me before it was collected and asked me to perform his wedding--his third wedding. Because of the circumstances surrounding his previous divorce, his situation didn't fit into our marriage policy. It really was tempting to try to find a way to accommodate his request, but I decided to follow the policy. (Partly, I confess, because I was afraid the elders would fire me if I didn't follow their guidelines!)

"There are times in every church when the leaders are tempted to water down the truth. There will be influential people you want to accommodate. There will be brilliant, likable theological liberals you want to impress. There will be arrogant, angry conservatives you wish you could debate, because even though you may agree with their stance, you hate their demeanor. There will be seekers and believers you won't want to alienate by taking an unpopular stand on a controversial issue.

"Despite the real temptation to say just what itching ears want to hear or to say nothing at all, it is imperative that the church be a place where the truth is unashamedly proclaimed. As Paul said, 'If the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?' (1 Corinthians 14:8)." (click here to read the full article.)

Today’s Pastoral Resource...

Preaching Employers
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