By The decision to follow Christ isn’t the last decision a Christian makes. It’s the first, and in a sense the only decision. It’s just that we need to make it over, and over again.
At home. At work. At this age of life. At that season of health. Married. Single. Parent. Childless…
Every day we pray, Give us each day our daily bread. We need it daily, but our needs also change daily. For instance, today my diary had a much greater urgency in it, and a greater sadness, because of two conversations I had. Yesterday was more fun than I expected. Tomorrow could be more interesting than I anticipate. How do I put Christ first, in each of those different contexts?
We never stay still as Christians.
And as preachers and church leaders, we get to help people decide each week to put Christ first. Often it’s general duty, as we plan the songs, choose the prayers, lead the confession.
But – when we preach – we should plan to be specific.
- If this passage is true, and Christ comes first, what does tomorrow look like for you?
- If this passage is true, and Christ comes first, what is not true, among the blizzard of words and images on your screen?
- If this passage is true, and Christ comes first, what words need to cross your lips later today?
- If this passage is true, and Christ comes first, here’s how you turn your attitude round on the base of it.
- If tis passage is true, and Christ comes first, here’s what we’re going to do differently at church this week.
- If this passage is true, and Christ comes first, here’s how to remember it when you need it.
- If this passage is true and Christ comes first…
How’s your sermon prep going, friends?
I wrote more about specific application in preaching in Cutting to the Heart: Applying the Bible in teaching and preaching
🇬🇧You can buy ‘Cutting to the Heart’ at a discount from 10ofthose here.
🇬🇧Or from Amazon here. and your Kindle here.
🇺🇸US readers can buy from Amazon here, and as a Kindle edition, here.
Aussie? Koorong has it here.
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