Tell It Like It Is

If you follow the link attached to the graphic, you’ll reach the David Warren Family home page. They’ve been coming to our church on a regular basis for several years – through a generation where we’ve watched their children grow up, leave and new come along. It’s always a blessing when they are here, through their music and David Warren’s preaching.

Sunday morning their first song caught my heart: Preacher, Tell Me Like It Is.  I believe most of us like the beginning of the second verse:

I've been hearin' other preachers say I don't have to change,
The most eloquent of speakers tell me I'm okay,

Yes – there are “feeling good” preaching out there. The ones who tell us over and over that God loves us (and I firmly believe He does), that He accepts us as we are (and I just as firmly believe He does). There are many preachers that will discuss the changes that come into our lives when we love and trust Him.

It’s not a one-way relationship. If that’s what is expected, someone is not telling like it is. We need that first verse:

Preacher, I'd say its been a while since you heard this request,
But my spirit is tired, and I need rest.
I want to hear from heaven,  a clear word from God,
A sermon of conviction straight from the heart.

God is quite capable of providing all of our needs, but there are expectations specified for us:

Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:35-40 KJV)

I know – you’ve read that before. Lots of times before in this blog because I believe it is the most important message in the whole Bible. For it to be factual, we must accept there is a God, that He deserves all of our love and that there’s more to life than God. We must love our fellow man. That last sentence tells us we have a lot more to learn, too. These are commandments – not suggestions. Laws are to be based on them and prophecies much be, too. Is that true for what we worship?

Does your preacher preach this message? Words from the Bible – or just today’s headlines? Can they be combined? Is God’s word applicable in today’s world? Will a preacher tell us like it is:

Oh preacher, you say you want to be my friend,
Don't be afraid to call my sin what it is.
And preacher, tell me I can overcome,
But it's only by the blood of the Lamb .
Don't tell me like I wish it was,
Preacher, tell me like it is.

So open up the Word, and let the Spirit lead
Preach until I've heard God speak to me
Don't worry 'bout my feelings; don't worry 'bout my shame
Just preach the cross of Jesus and that I'm to blame.

Oh, yes – I’m sinful. Thanks be to God that He is capable of taking care of that, too!!