Read and pray: “And my word and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,” (1 Cor. 2:4)
In the previous chapter we considered the need to study the use of the ministry of the word to uplift the church meetings. It must be added that the ministry of the word should be living and practical; it does not depend on lofty topics or deep content.
We should not think that topics such as regeneration and how to deal with sin are too superficial just because someone has already spoken on them. This is a very mistaken concept.
The ministry of the word depends on need. If someone needs to hear a message on regeneration, we should deliver a living word on that topic. I believe that even the apostle Paul sometimes enjoyed listening to others preach the gospel. He was likely supplied when the gospel was preached, because their speaking was living.
Some consider it difficult to preach a message in the church in Taipei because the saints have already heard good and high messages in the conferences. They think that if the word is on a common topic, the saints have already heard it. But if the word is on a lofty subject, the saints cannot reach the level.
When ministering the word, the content should not be too elevated. It is wrong to go to the “heights” to find a way. It is not normal to walk on rooftops. Those who try to walk on rooftops are looking for trouble. Rather, we should always seek a clear and unobstructed path to walk on, and since there are no obstructions, this path can be taken repeatedly.
Thus, we should not fear old topics, but old ways of expression and old manners of speaking on them. The topic may be the same, but it needs various ways of presentation to become living.
There is no benefit in striving to preach lofty messages. We should believe that among the ministers raised up by God in the church, some will function to supply the church with new and original things, and some will not. The brothers do not need deep words to be supplied; they only need simple words.
People are saved every day and must learn to consecrate themselves. But those who have already consecrated themselves need to renew their consecration. Therefore, we do not necessarily need to give lofty messages. We need to strive to receive a burden from the Lord. We must hold fast to this principle.
We need to know the need of the brothers. Instead of worrying whether a message is superficial or deep, we should care for the genuine need of the church. The message given in regular meetings is always different from the word given in conferences.
Conferences present messages at specific moments to sow the church’s need deep within the saints. They need to digest these messages. The word on Sunday, however, is to meet the general needs of the brothers. Therefore, there is no need to think whether a message is superficial or deep, nor to worry whether it has already been preached by others. Our only concern should be whether it meets the brothers’ needs.
For this to happen, our words must be living. We should never fear that a common topic is too superficial for the saints. In reality, there is no such thing. Even a “superficial” message can minister deep things to people.
In 1942, a brother who was attending a certain denomination frequently came to our meetings intending to hear gospel messages. Even though the gospel preaching was very simple, through which unbelievers are saved, this brother ended up turning to the church ground because of them.
Those responsible for the ministry of the word need to undergo a conceptual change. We should not consider whether a topic is deep or simple, or whether others have already spoken on it. Instead of worrying about these matters, we must receive a burden to know exactly what the saints need.
Once we receive such a burden, we need to study how to present it in a living way. This does not mean our words must be full of liveliness, eloquence, or persuasiveness, but rather that we should speak words of life, which touch, move, and uplift the saints’ spirit, convincing them in their spirit and thus setting them free. This is where we should invest our energy and efforts.
Therefore, we must pray fervently: “Lord, today I will speak on regeneration. Give me a new and living word.” Our speaking should be such that even the apostle Paul would say he was touched. It should give even experienced believers a fresh and new supply, as refreshing as the morning dew. Although regeneration is an “old” topic, spoken on so many times, we must still give the spirit of people a fresh supply on this topic. This is the living word.
Enjoy more: Hymn S-58
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