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Jim Price | PentecostalTheology.com
JUST SUPPOSE: You got a call from one of the general overseers and you were asked to preach at one of the evening services at the General Assembly this August; how would you go about preparing? Let’s assume that we would all spend a lot of time in prayer and trying to find the mind of God but there are of course many other markers and considerations. Would you make an effort to lose weight? Give extra thought as how to dress? Review all the sermons that you could find that had been given at the assembly? Consider what you would be expected to say as well as give thought as to what you should not say. One time I was asked to give a talk but the inviter wanted to take some time and explain what the issues had been in the group, what their divisions were and even suggested two subjects that I should stay away from. I thought it over and worked in as many humorous stories as I could and tried to sidestep the ” land mines.” But just suppose your night to speak came after a long and tedious business session in the afternoon, yet 99% of your audience knew nothing about the afternoon tension at the same time a few VIP’
S in your audience would have the business session very much on their mind. Now it’s your turn!
George Tallmage
I would prepare a message in order to encourage unity and dependence on one another and the Holy Spirit.
I would remind the believes present of our identity in Christ (as individuals and as a denomination).
I would conclude with a reminder that this world is not our home and to continually keep looking for Christ’s return while working diligently until He does.
All of this would not be possible without the power of the Holy Spirit being present with us, actively within us, and empowering us.
The message would be titled, “Let Us” and the tag line would be.
Let us be One
Let us be Faithful
Let us Go
Charles Page
I would preach a message on holiness and a sgt at arms would be ordered to escort me off stage.
Pat Fretwell
Just suppose u get the mind of Christ & preach what he wants!
Charles Page
it got the apostles cast into jail on several occasions. Christ assures we will be persecuted.
Charles Page
are there female members of the AG general council, Peter?
Jim Price
My overriding point is that it is a real challenge to speak to such a group. Devout and sincere people will have spent big money to attend with the hope and expectation of having their spiritual batteries recharged. They hope to be reassured that their long journey of faith and devotion to the CoG was the right choice all along. Any speaker who took this lightly would surely not please God and would probably not please the audience.
Jim Price
If you are preaching to the saved, sanctified and spirit filled ones then you should respect what God has done in their lives, their faithfulness in maintaining the church in many different places. Jesus was always kind and tinder to his flock and only blunt and harsh to the scribes and pharisees. Many of these folks have paid a dear price in keeping their faith. I try to think of them as Jesus representatives as I look back into the audience and knowing in Gods sight they are just as accepted as I am. They are the ones I expect to spend eternity with. Surely the right message pleases God as well as Gods people.
Charles Page
Ideally I would accept an invitation to speak to the ordained general council, exclusive of the general assembly. That would be a sermon to hear!!! I would preach on the subject of hell.
Charles Howard Hartman
Jeremiah
Nathan Ridgeway
I have already prepared. I know what I would bring to the Body.
Dollas Messer
My text: 2 Chronicles 7:14