I AM THE PREACHER In 1660 Richard Baxter said, "I preach as never sure to preach again, and as a dying man to dying men."

I am the preacher. Like you, another experiment in grace, a fellow-witness to the truth, a flesh and blood testimony to the goodness of God.

I have soup stains on my tie, razor nicks on my chin, mud on my boots, a song on my lips, and the joy of Jesus in my heart.

I am part poet, part mechanic, part soldier, part mother hen, and part badger.

I live in the shadow of the cross. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection. I want to be a man of His word.

I am a purveyor of hope, a merchant of mercy, an advocate of agape, a fan of faith, and a sharer of the Good News.

I want to be better than I am. I want you to be better than you are. I want to reproduce Jesus in my life---and help you do the same. I want us both to live beyond human capabilities. I want us to be fueled by the Spirit.

I pray. I study. I wrestle with the text. I preach first to me.

I am a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a friend, a guy. I wear lots of hats. Some fit better than others. I have more good days than bad, but enough bad to relate. I believe that all is well, whether I know it or not. I’m convinced that there is a better world coming. Thus I hope we can both live other-wordly now.

I comfort the afflicted and afflict the comforted. I would rather step on your toes than tickle your ears. I would rather you love me than like me. I want you to go to heaven, and I would love to join you. I want what is best for you---at times more than you do.

I'm concerned with character. Mine and yours. I promote a Christian worldview. I want us to be successful--in biblical terms. I am about the business of redefining the human experience. I want us to to live the wisdom from above.

I seek to bring rhyme to reason and method to madness. I try to stir the soul, feed the mind, pry open the heart, and challenge the conscience.

I feel. I laugh. I cry. I wait. I hurt. I understand. I know. I care.

I encourage. I exhort. I rebuke. I teach. I model. I persevere. I pay attention. I serve. I nourish. I love.

The goal of my instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (1 Tim. 1:5).

I AM THE PREACHER.

(From Pulpit Helps, August 1999)

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Posted by David F. Sims, doing my part to "turn the world upside down" (Acts 17:6)
All quotes taken from the New American Standard Bible, unless otherwise stated.

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