On a recent episode of our leadership podcast, Greg Heeres and I were discussing how easy it is for people to slip into a complaining attitude. One of the things I point out is that if we ask for compliments instead of complaints, we can begin to change the culture of our organization.Â
Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.Â
Go down to the potterâs house, and there I will give you My message (God speaking to Jeremiah).
Jesus was masterful in using visual illustrationsâcommon, everyday thingsâto illustrate the biblical truth He wanted to teach. God does the same thing with Jeremiah.Â
God instructs Jeremiah to simply go to the potterâs house and watch. Jeremiah obeyed: âI went down to the potterâs house, and I saw him workingâ (v. 3). It was after taking in this scene that God could speak to Jeremiah a sermon illustration. Jeremiah says, âThen the word of the Lord came to meâ (v. 5).Â
Not only did God help Jeremiah prepare his sermon with a visual illustration, but God also prepared Jeremiah for the follow up conversation. God knew how the people would respond to Jeremiahâs message, and He again gave him the words to speak ahead of time (vv. 12-17).Â
God knows His sheep better than we do. He knows what they need to hear, and how best to make His message stick. Jesus said,Â
âI have never spoken on My own authority or of My own accord or as self-appointed, but the Father Who sent Me has Himself given Me orders concerning what to say and what to tell. And I know that His commandment means eternal life. So whatever I speak, I am saying exactly what My Father has told Me to say and in accordance with His instructions.â (John 12:49-50 AMP)Â
We pastors and evangelists dare not try to prepare a message on our own!Â
Samuel Johnson prayed something that I pray every time I sit down to prepare a sermon: âAlmighty God, my Heavenly Father, without Whose help labor is useless, without Whose light search is in vain, invigorate my studies.âÂ
Seeking Godâs help in our sermon preparation should be our very first action every single time.Â