My Story (The Preaching Version)

Last updated on: June 2, 2017 at 6:27 pm by Matt Pearson

My Story (The Preaching Version) 2017-06-02T18:27:40-05:00 Matt Pearson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

God has called me to preach to church peopleâ€”those church people who think they know the God of the Bible but, honestly, haven’t really encountered Him yet. They love a good sermon and teach a good Sunday School lesson, but rarely get blown away with the biblical God. I am called by God to change that.

Several events in my life brought me to this.

The first I can remember is being at a youth camp in 1989. I don’t remember the preacher’s name. I don’t remember the theme of the camp. I was 12. I was there with my best friend. DC Talk performed one night. Other than that, I really only recall one thing: the preacher taught the Word in a way that compelled me. I was intrigued. I was captivated. I couldn’t wait until the next night when he would open the Scriptures for us again.

The second came a few years later when I was asked to teach an adult Sunday School class on “Youth Sunday.” I don’t remember the passage. I don’t remember the point of the lesson, but I do remember my dad helping me understand an implication of the text. I remember being amazed at the power of the Word, andÂ I remember the men and women in the class being struck by the truth I taught. I remember the look on their faces when they “got it” andÂ the feeling in my gut when I unpacked the truth and implication.

The third event came my senior year in high school. Again, I was at a youth camp. I don’t remember the theme of the camp. I remember being at the beach. I remember the preacher’s name being Brandon, and I remember himÂ teaching/preaching the Word of God in a way that drew me in like never before. I remember thinking, “I want to do for others what Brandon did for my soul this week.”

A fourth moment for me came on a Wednesday night when I was a youth pastor in North Alabama. I remember it wasÂ during the summer. I remember the student room being jam packed with students. I remember illustrating a biblical truth. I don’t remember the text or the illustration, but I remember the entire room laughing at the illustration one second and then being struck with truth the next. I remember the moment because it was like a lightning bolt of energy ran through my bones. I knew I wanted to do this forever.

Finally, an event God used to confirm He called me to preach to church people happened about a month into my first pastorate. The deacon chairman dropped by the mobile home where my wife and I lived and “ordered” me to come with him. I got in his truck, and we drove to a nearby church building where a young man was being ordained. The deacon chairman, myself, along with about 35 other men were going to sit in on this young man’s ordination council. The candidate was asked, “What happens to those overseas who die, having never heard the gospel?” His response, “They have never heard, so they will go to heaven.” I was mortified. Until I heard what happened next. The room erupted with some of the loudest “Amens” I have ever encountered in a Baptist church. Then I was mortified and horrified. I was sitting in a room full of Baptist men who grew up in church, were leading committees, and teaching Sunday School classes. Yet they did not know the God of the Bible. God used that moment to confirm what He had called me to do: preach the God of the Bible to those who think they know Him.

What can you learn from this?

God uses your life story to shape you into what He has called you to do. He doesn’t waste anything.
Pay attention to what gives you energy.
Watch for moments God uses to confirm His specific calling on your life.
Lean in to those moments God has used you to impact people.
Ask, “Is what I am called to do an obvious gift God has given me?”

Preparing to Preach

Previous Post

May 14, 2017

New Book Guaranteed to Help Your Preaching

Next Post

May 30, 2017 Tillers of the Soil: Preacher, Help Them Understand!

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Biblical Reflections Devotions Fridays are For Illustrations General Challenge General Preaching Resources Letters to West Franklin Preparing to Preach Table Talk Questions The Preaching Event Top Ten Quotes Uncategorized West Franklin West Franklin Talks

Select a Month March 2023 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 September 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What sign did Jesus compare to Jonah's three days in the fish?

Select your answer to see how you score.

The flood The creation His miracles His resurrection