Thread by @SandmanGrant

The rightly ordered ministry, like the rightly ordered life, begins with a vision of the true glory of God… weighty and worthy! - Craig Schafer #Nexus2023

bible.com/bible/111/isa.…

Glory… seen ultimately in Jesus!

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/2co.…

And in Jesus, we have one who always trembled at God’s Word, faithful and obedient, perfectly (unlike us), even when it meant hatred…

“Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at his word: ‘Your own people who hate you, and exclude you because of my name…’ ” Isaiah 66:5

And there is comfort for those who follow Christ in trembling at his word: “For this is what the Lord says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees.”
Isaiah 66:12

But forget not the warning that many are they who offer incense, make sacrifices, even in the temple, yet “have chosen their own ways… and chose what displeases me” (vv3-4).

So tremble at his word of rebuke and heed his word of promise. #Nexus2023

Paul Grimmond: “Trembling at God’s Word” - as close as possible to evangelical authenticity! So we may say “Let the word do the work… you, preacher, just get out of the way.” Fundamentally right, re. God’s powerful and good word, but why don’t we just read the Scripture aloud?

God intends his word be ministered by people: “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely...” People see you! (1 Tim 4:15-16)

Likewise, if you are going to preach the word (2 Tim 4:1-2) to others, you must be taught and rebuked by that same God-breathed word (2 Tim 3:16-17), man of God! #Nexus2023

And by grace we'll stand on Your promises
And by faith we'll walk as You walk with us
Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory

Following Paul Grimmond, Phil Colgan asked: How long since we’ve been changed by God’s word? …Rebuked by it? …Had our worldview challenged or reformed? Do we delight in God’s Word?! This attitude is more important than any strategy or system! #Nexus2023

Phil looks for preaching that is:
✅ faithful - to God’s Word,
✅ prophetic - calling for repentance and faith that changes us, &
✅ eschatological - helping people set hearts and minds where God’s future will take them… Then:

Preach boldly and unapologetically! …In content, tone and manner.

Even if your listeners do not share this commitment to Scripture’s truth, you must preach as one convinced that it’s good.

The preacher needs to help people see and hate the world’s lies…

“I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.”
Psalms 119:104 NIV
bible.com/bible/111/psa.…

"Preachers are not to apologise for God and make God's word palatable so that people will accept it, but to challenge people's attitudes so that they will respond to the words as good"
- Phil Colgan
(with thanks to Phillip Jensen)

When addressing a group with many non-Christians, we continue boldly and unapologetically, and of course grace, gentleness and humility is required as much as ever; but not trying to get the Christians to say we’re faithful while avoiding offence to unbelievers.

Stop spending your preaching constantly to trying to win a second hearing. Acts preaching to Gentiles always pushes to the lordship of Christ, the judge of all, through his resurrection.

And we need to be a conundrum to the world around…