KneEmail - a devotional by Mike Benson associated with Forthright Magazine
Position
THE LESSON HAD 12 points...
You cannot teach 12 points in-depth in 30 minutes. You can confuse, maybe amuse, but you cannot clarify, edify. In most instances it means you have an agenda; you will try to "pull the wool over their eyes." The speaker was not misunderstood; he had nothing to understand. A church in Texas proudly advertises, "If you believe, then you believe what we believe." What? Do not say nothing well!
He began by stating, "I will take no position." Then why preach? Preach what you know. Preachers must take a stand. When a sermon ends, all should know what the preacher believes, where he stands. Preach your faith, not your doubts. Don't be cynical. When you stand to preach, have something to say. Not to take a position is to take a position. How can you state 12 points without stating one position? If you don't have a position, sit down and shut up! This explains why many preachers do not use scriptures. If you do not sustain a position, you don't need scripture. This is "unity in absurdity." After you ask some preachers where they stand, you still don't know after they answer. Many churches have no clue as to what their preachers really believe. Too many preachers are more interested in being enlightened than convicted.
THOUGHT: Truth can be known ( John 8:22). Luke said we can know that we know (1:1-4). John knew (not felt; 1 John 5:11-13). We need biblical answers, not silly questions. (Charles Hodge, Gospel Advocate, used with permission)
KneEmail: "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching" (2 Tim. 4:2; cf. Acts 16:6).