Charles Harrison Mason Bible Institute

From The Deans Desk

If I had to use one verse in the Bible to help a young minister be a successful tool for the Master, this would be the one. Preaching has nothing to do with anyone's eloquence, intelligence, or charisma. The successful minister is the one that realizes that sharing God's Word is a divine call and privilege that can't be done in one's own strength. The Apostles took this charge so seriously that they knew total devotion to prayer and study was paramount. Show me a preacher that doesn't devote his life to prayer and study and I'll show you a potential false prophet. Satan loves preachers that say "I'm to busy to pray" or "I don't think preachers need formal Bible training." Hundreds of pulpits are manned by preachers that "feed" flocks rhetoric, politics, church doctrine, and outright nonsense. It is no wonder churches are filled with people that couldn't hold their, own with a Jehovah's Witness or a Muslim. God want's saints to be able to know and defend what they believe. If preachers can't effectively convey the doctrine of scripture effectively, how can the saints of God ever hope to win a lost soul, defend the deity of Christ, or live victorious Christian lives. Jesus told his disciples that he would "make them fishers of men." He did this by teaching them His word, teaching them to pray, and putting them through an intensive OJT program. This book is not just a compilation of sermons, but it is an attempt to aid the young minister in sermon preparation and personal preparation. Before we get to sermon preparation I want to continue with personal preparation. Now, O Lord my God, you have made Your servant king instead of David my father, and I am but a lad [in wisdom and experience]; I know not how to go out (begin) or come in (finish). (I Kings 3:7 Amp.) The reason Solomon was blessed with an anointing of wisdom, was because he realized his inadequacy in the position he was called to. When God calls us he does so because of our availability and obedience to the call. The sovereign wisdom of God determines who, how, and why he calls any of us. We must never think God called us because of our cleverness or natural abilities. Solomon's wisdom, (spiritual insight) was supplied by the Lord. It was his natural wisdom that got him in trouble. The Bible say's that God resist the proud (James 4:6,7), but extends grace to the humble. The man or woman of God must never fall prey to the sin of self-reliance. Satan loves preachers like this. They are candidates for a hard fall. The revelation knowledge (wisdom) of God is essential in ministry. Paul prayed for both the churches at Ephesus and Colosse, that they would obtain spiritual insight. This insight can only come through the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Just like the disciples that Jesus groomed for Apostleship, we must spend time with the Master.