The Preacher’s Manifesto

 

I am a preacher.

I am a messenger of the most high God – an ambassador of the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:20)

I am a herald of the greatest story ever told and the best news ever received. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

I am a sinner, saved by grace – not through my works, but through Christ’s work in me. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

I am equipped with everything I need for the calling God has for my life. (Ephesians 2:10)

I will preach the Gospel without shame. (Romans 1:16)

I will not settle for moralistic, therapeutic, feel good, prosperity preaching. (2 Timothy 4:2-3)

I will preach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth of God’s Word. (Titus 2:1)

I will use the Bible as the firm foundation for all my messages. (2 Timothy 2:15)

I will read the Bible more than best-sellers or business books. (Psalm 1)

I will study academically, but speak plainly for all to understand. (Acts 15:19)

I will work to please God, not man. (Galatians 1:10)

I will work to be faithful, not famous. (1 Samuel 12:24)

I will glorify God, not myself. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

I will build up God’s kingdom and His Church, not my own. (Matthew 6:33)

I will live with the highest integrity – a life above reproach – so the Church won’t get any more black eyes. (1 Timothy 3:1-7)

I will actually practice what I preach. (Matthew 23:3)

I will boast in my weakness, not my strength. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

I will not live in isolation, but in Biblical community. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

I will know and love my neighbors, not just my church members. (Leviticus 19:18)

I will live, eat and drink with sinners like Jesus did, because it is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick. (Matthew 9:11-13)

I will prioritize the needs of my wife, sacrificing myself for her, so that ministry doesn’t become my mistress. (Ephesians 5:25)

I will spend quality time with my children, so they will grow to love the church rather than hate it for taking their daddy. (Ephesians 6:4)

I will honor the Sabbath and rest knowing God is in control. (Exodus 31:12-13)

I will surround my preaching in prayer, giving my anxiety to God. (Philippians 4:6-7)

I will listen before I speak. (James 1:19)

I will not reject technology, but use it as a tool for building God’s kingdom.

I will exercise my God-given creativity without compromising God’s given message.

I will become all things to all people so that I might be able to win as many as possible. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)

I will serve people, and not pretend that I am somehow above them. (Romans 12:3)

I will give before I receive, because I will reap what I sow. (Galatians 6:7)

I will really love people, not just pretend to love. (Romans 12:9-10)

I will preach with all I’ve got, holding nothing back. (Jeremiah 20:9)

I will not back down, shut up, or shy away from speaking the truth. (Acts 5:40-42)

I will preach hard truths with love. (Ephesians 4:15)

I will hold firm to sound doctrine, no matter how unpopular it may be. (Titus 1:9)

I will not waver in my faith in a big God who accomplishes big things through those who dare to act upon God-sized dreams. (Ephesians 3:20)

I will not allow temptation and the Devil to gain a hold on me. (James 4:7)

I will be a living sacrifice. (Romans 12:1)

I will fight the good fight, keep the faith and finish the race. (2 Timothy 4:7)

I am a preacher.

And, God willing, in the end I will hear those words I so desperately long to hear. “Well done good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)