God Can't Do Everything

God can't do everything. There are even some things humans can do that God cannot do.

That is not an insult to Him.

• God cannot lie (Titus 1:2) because He is truth.

• God cannot be tempted by sin (James 1:13) because He is goodness and love.

• God cannot die because He is eternal (Psalm 90:2).

• God cannot force us to obey Him and maintain free will (Joshua 24:15).

• God cannot change (Malachi 3:6) because he is the Ultimate of all goodness.

• God cannot learn because He knows all (Hebrews 4:13).

• God cannot grow because He is perfect (Psalm 18:30).

• God cannot ignore sin forever because He is Just (Acts 17:30).

• God cannot act in an unloving way because His nature is love (1 John 4:8).

• God cannot be overcome because He is all-powerful (Job 36:22).

Yes, there are some things humans can do that God cannot.

That in no way should be considered a point of pride.

There is a God. We are not He.

Preaching is About "You"

Preaching is About the Audience

Preaching that is not personal is also not powerful. If I don't speak out against things that affect the people in my audience then I may as well sit down and say nothing at all. Most preachers never get this. (That was the advice [in a nutshell] I got from a wise man Sunday after evening worship.) 

He told me, "Stop speaking to next week's audience, or to yourself, or to some audience in your own mind. Speak to the people who are there. Deal with THEIR sins, THEIR problems, and THEIR issues. And tell them their problems by making it personal and using the word "You".

It stung a bit because I like to think that I already do that. But his simple question made me realize he was right: "How many times do you use the word 'You' in a sermon?" I honestly tried to avoid using it so that I would be less offensive (not that anyone is promoting deliberate offense). He called me on it and said that was my motive just like everyone else's who preaches. That motive is wrong and a disservice to the church and to my work.

Well, preachers, you need to use that word and give what is needed. Do not be contentious, but contend with the sins directly instead of indirectly.

Winning Like A Baby

Have you ever seen anything uglier than a newborn baby?

Tap into the power babies have over us.

Think about it. 

• Most of them are chubby. 

• They have no teeth at all. 

• They can’t open their mouths without some kind of liquid coming out. 

• They are short and mostly bald--even the girls! 

• And they lie around crying all the time.

Yet we love them to death!

I’d say that is pretty awesome power. They have us wrapped around their stubby little fingers. 

What wouldn’t we do for them? 

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to win hearts like they do? 

I’m not saying we should act like a baby, just win like one. Consider a few ways we can imitate babies and win hearts around us.

1. Be pure. 

Isn’t that the heart of what Jesus meant when He said, “Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3)?

We need purity of heart. Who doubts the intentions of babies? No one thinks a baby is secretly plotting to hurt others. We do not fear our words around them. They are harmless.

We’ve met people that we cannot trust. We guard our words and actions lest they have something to use against us. It is not a fun situation. Let us be extraordinary people that can be trusted never to intentionally do harm to others around us.

2. Be facial.

Have you noticed the way a baby’s face lights up when he recognizes someone? His face shines with excitement and we get a thrill knowing the child remembers and loves us. 

There are not many passages in the Bible that mention smiles, but there are plenty of passages that tell us to be pleasant to others. Proverbs 16:24 tells us that “Pleasant words are like honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” So let us be pleasant and loving. Smile. Meet new people. Act like you are interested in others. Show it with your face.

3. Be vulnerable.

Babies are the most vulnerable people in the world. Not only are they incapable of self-defense. They cannot even recognize dangers around them.

Here we need balance. Vulnerability seems weak but is a key to developing relationships. Be open to others. Show love. Accept love. Do not live afraid of being hurt. Certainly you will be hurt at times, but love anyway. 

Consider how Jesus treated Judas, and follow His lead. Consider the Messianic prophecy of Psalm 41:9. “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has turned up his heel against me.” This shows us that Jesus trusted Judas even though He knew Judas would betray Him. On that last evening, Jesus even washed Judas' feet.

Be wise, and be open.

Win Like A Baby

Can you think of other characteristics that help us connect with others? Let's discuss them in the comments section below!