PROCLAMATION!

It’s been a long time. And I miss it. The last time I occupied a pulpit was about six months ago at my ordination in Plano Bible Chapel, TX (see picture).

Engaged as I have been in exploring preaching here in a foreign land, opportunities for undertaking the other two facets of the triad of my life (!)—explaining preaching and exemplifying preaching—have been few and far between; in fact, they have been non-existent. Until now.

Between this writing and the next (Deo volente, next Sunday), I am scheduled to be preaching four times and conducting a 3-hour “teaching of preaching” session.

• WEDNESDAY: Speaking God’s Words (a preaching seminar for about ten postgraduate students from the University of Aberdeen; organized by the church I attend).
• SATURDAY: Preaching at a Baptist church in Kirkcaldy (near Edinburgh) that is inducting its new pastor, a friend of mine (and a DTS alumnus).
• SUNDAY: Preaching in the morning and evening services at my church (High Church Hilton, Church of Scotland)—two different sermons; and also in the afternoon service of the Chinese congregation there.

God has been gracious in providing me these occasions to involve myself in the exercise of what might be my spiritual gifts. And I’m excited to be doing so, for that’s what I’m most passionate about.

We proclaim Him,
admonishing every man
and teaching every man
with all wisdom,
so that we may present
every man complete in Christ.

Colossians 1:28

May I utilize this public venue to request prayer for preparation that is adequate, for protection from the wiles of Satan, for passionate delivery, and, above all, for the power of the Holy Spirit to be manifest in me and in my hearers as I engage in the ministry of the Word? May God be glorified in Christ through the Spirit.

Spiritual gift or no, we are all called to be proclaimers. In season and out of season. To those who believe and to those who don’t. In word and in deed.

In a sense, whether we acknowledge it or not, we are always proclaiming—proclaiming something! The question is what!

But you are a chosen race,
A royal priesthood, A holy nation,
A people for God's own possession,
so that you may proclaim
the excellencies of Him
who has called you
out of darkness
into His marvelous light.

1 Peter 2:9

The Great Commission! For all of us to undertake. Let us take to heart the exhortation of the author of Hebrews (5:12): “… by this time you ought to be teachers.”

Proclaiming the excellencies of a living God is not easy: it was hard then, it is hard now. Let us take some small steps towards getting into the habit of proclaiming God, so that we become skillful in proclaiming God, so that we develop a character that, as a matter of course, continues in proclaiming God. A suggestion for starters (that I, too, intend to carry out): As naturally as we can, let us try to introduce the word “God” into our conversations. Eugene Peterson called it “centering”—locating God in the center of everything. A brief mention. A quick nod in His direction. A slipping in of His name. “God.” And perhaps those small beginnings will lead to bigger and better things.

Proclamation! May He employ us all in that glorious task!