THE ORDINARY AND THE EXTRAORDINARY

1 Cor. 1:27-29

“God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things and the things that are not to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.”

One day, as my friend Stephan and I were working on a pulpit for the church he was starting, I was suddenly struck by the significance of what we were doing. That simple piece of furniture (and “simple” is the correct word to use here) will serve a far greater purpose than its humble appearance would indicate. Because from behind that ordinary podium the extraordinary Word of God will be proclaimed; administered to a people that God, by His power and grace, has called to be His own. Isn’t it amazing how God chooses to use simple things to accomplish His divine purposes?

Sometimes the preacher’s pulpit is referred to as a “sacred desk.” Be assured, that desk becomes sacred, not because of its beauty or craftsmanship, but because God’s holy Word is proclaimed from there. And even that is impossible unless the Holy Spirit provides illumination and the gifts of proclamation (2 Peter 1:21). We may cut the wood, pound the nails and sand and stain and varnish, but it is only the power and presence of God that brings holiness; and where the Spirit of Christ is, a tree stump or no lectern at all would serve as well. Preachers study and meditate and prepare their sermons, but it is still the living Word that builds faith and molds character. Though pastors study theology and philosophy and hermeneutics and homiletics, it is still the simple message of the gospel of Christ that converts the sinner’s heart and makes him ready for heaven. 

The things the world deems foolish, weak, lowly and despised are the prime ingredients in the church of the living God!

Pastor Keith Andrews