September 6 – Vital preaching

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship…” – Acts 2:42

Scripture reading: Psalm 42:1-11

“That is my longing for our day—and for you. That God would raise up thousands

of broken-hearted, Bible-saturated preachers who are dominated by a sense of

the greatness and the majesty and the holiness of God, revealed in the gospel of

Christ crucified and risen and reigning with absolute authority over every nation

and every army and every false religion and every terrorist and every tsunami and

every cancer cell, and every galaxy in the universe.” — John Piper, “Why Expositional Preaching Is Particularly Glorifying to God” (April 26, 2002)

The psalmist, worn down by grief and reports of evil days, was longing for God. The remembrance of days when he used to lead throngs in procession at the house of God, strengthened him. The quotation from John Piper, reminds the believer why preaching in worship is critical. Our God reigns. He has set His Son on the throne of power.

Believers through-out the ages devote themselves to preaching, to hearing the word explained. There are so many soul-crushing news reports: Christians hear of persecution. The needs around us compel us to fix our eyes on Jesus. Only after our souls have been stirred, fed, and revived in Jesus, can we disciple others with fervor that sees the dominance of Christ in every aspect of life.

Saints of old blessed God because they were counted worthy to suffer for Jesus. Believers rejoice in persecutions, because these prove our dependence on Christ. Today, we know we are closer to the return of Jesus. Preaching is vital for the health of every believer.

Suggestions for prayer

Give thanks to God for the preacher He has raised up in your church. Pray for the congregations around you that are seeking pastors to lead them, that God will fill that pulpit, blessing and educating His people in the way of righteousness.

Rev. Richard T. Vander Vaart and his wife Carolyn are now in their seventh year living in Moncton, NB. with Redemption Prison Ministry as a pastor in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Canada. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com