stephen R Harrison

Recently, someone said to me, “Thank you for the way you share your pulpit,” speaking of how other pastors at our church also preach more than just when I’m on vacation. I responded, “I am thankful and honored to be the lead preacher, but it’s not my pulpit.” I love and trust our preaching team and pastors. Yes, I must guard the pulpit against doctrinal error, those whose character does not consistently match the sermons they preach, those who would lead astray from the mission of our local church, and those who would disregard the truth of the Scriptures that are profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. I must ensure we stay on gospel mission as Jesus’ church.

However, the biggest thing I must guard is not the pulpit but my heart in the pulpit.

Am I preaching to be seen and heard? Is it all about me? Am I envious when other pastors are complemented or, quite frankly, preach better than me? Do I try hard to be the center of attention? Do I grow from other pastors’ teaching or sit only thinking how I could have done better or need to “clean up” what they’ve said? Is my goal for Christ to be exalted and the church edified…or do I want those for myself? Am I supportive, encouraging, and thankful God has gifted us other qualified and skilled preachers?

Jesus warned against giving, fasting, and praying for selfish and ulterior motives. I must guard against the performance for men, pleasing the flesh, and accomplishing my own agenda. The only way to do that is to submit to the Lord. My preaching is only for a season, but His Word endures forever.

When I come to preach, I must do so humbly, having spent time allowing the Spirit of God to preach the message to me all week long before I deliver it to anyone else.

When I come to preach, I must do so in worship, preaching to an audience of One.

When I come to preach, I must do so expecting the Spirit of God and the Word of God to move the hearts of men, not my clever words, catch phrases, or charisma.

When I come to preach, I must do so prayed up, as it is a house of prayer and not a den of thrives.

When I come to preach, I must do so, in the fear of the Lord, knowing that I receive a stricter judgment for every idle word and everyone I lead astray as a teacher.

When I come to preach, I must do so, as a disciple maker, thankful and overjoyed, in unity and void of jealousy and insecurity, when my fellow pastors operate in their calling and use their gifts, ability, and personality to deliver the Word to the church they equally love and serve.

It is not my pulpit. It is Jesus’ pulpit.

May we, as preachers, be found faithful to what he has entrusted us. It is his church. It is his body. It is all for his glory. Thank you, Jesus, for the honor of preaching your Word to your church. Thank you for fellow preachers.