Just to be Clear

Robby BradfordChurch life, first assembly, First Assembly of God Lafayette, preachingLeave a Comment

Often people come up to me and ask me if I was talking about them in my Sunday morning message.  Sometimes, people wonder if I am looking at them or if I am talking about situations in their family life when I’m speaking.  Sometimes people imagine that I am speaking on the topics that I am speaking on just because I am reacting to a situation in our church or to an interpersonal conflict.

Let me be clear.  I do not choose to speak from the pulpit EVER based on any of the above considerations.  I don’t target people, and I don’t try to manage conflicts from the front of the room.  EVER.

In fact, I go away twice a year and lay out the messages for the next twelve months through prayer and fasting.  In this way,  I can’t predict if the themes on which I’m speaking will directly intersect with people and their problems or not.  If I’m talking about the dangers of adultery or mistreating your spouse or anger or compulsion or some other problem, it’s got nothing to do with you from any conscious part of mine.

I guess I’d say it’s the Holy Spirit dealing with you and your life.  That’s powerful teaching and preaching in my view–the word of God divides between soul and spirit, joint and marrow, judging a person’s thoughts, after all (Hebrews 4:12).

So tomorrow, when I’m preaching on leadership, authority, and rebellion–try to remember that the disclaimer up front that I am not addressing any particular situation is TRUE!  I’m really not responding to any particular person or situation; I’m trying to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.  🙂

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