"Acknowledge your gift. Use your gift for the benefit of others and to the glory of God who has 'gifted' you. People may not long remember your name. They may never know your name. But your gift to them will last forever."
Throughout his collection of Advent centered sermons, Ronald Love reminds us to consider all of the gifts that God has given us and to use that which makes us unique to spread the word of God. Although it might be an intimidating task to preach about Jesus to those who may believe differently, Love calls to mind the talents that God has granted us in order to do just that. He reveals that the idea of preaching to others is not an invitation from the Lord but is instead a commandment from God: "What we have is a mandate to preach the gospel to all individuals."
Even if you do not believe that you are qualified enough to spread the word, God knows that he chose the right person for the job when he created you and me. Instead of doubting ourselves, love encourages us to be like Paul in his letters to the Corinthians: "Paul's attitude was that nothing will stop him from proclaiming the good news Paul's attitude was that no obstacle would stop him from offering the message of salvation Paul's attitude was that he would remain steadfast in his call to be an apostle--an ambassador--for the Lord "
Sermon titles include:
- Be Near, Ye Faithful (1 Thessalonians 5:16-24)
- The Abounding Grace of God (Ephesians 1:3-14)
- A Child of God (1 Corinthians 8:1-13)
This Advent season, remember your talents, and share what you have been given with others in order to spread God's word, just as Love uses his gifts to help us grow closer to Jesus at the time of his birth.
