Gifts of God’s Varied Grace
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:6-8
Imagine yourself in the pulpit of the church about to preach a sermon. Pretty nerve wracking, right? Such a role couples the fear of public speaking with the importance of teaching God’s Word in its truth and purity, carefully presenting both the Law and the Gospel. Preaching God’s Word entails such great responsibility that nobody would honestly look at himself in the mirror and feel qualified for such an honor.
Though none of us is qualified or even deserves the privilege of speaking about and for God, we have been granted this gift. Indeed, some have been particularly blessed in “prophecy,” – that is, publicly speaking God’s Word, seen most frequently in the role of our pastors. Though preaching is daunting, those who have the gifts to study and proclaim God’s Word should prayerfully consider the public ministry, for it is also a great blessing. We should also recognize that serving God in this capacity is not anything we do through our own strength and intellect; instead, we are simply serving God by using the very gifts He has given us.
We need also to remember that preaching is not limited to the pulpit. Consider Paul’s letter to Timothy: “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:10) While we need young men to prepare to serve in the public ministry and preach from pulpits, we also need them and the rest of us to always be ready to share God’s Word with others.
How beauteous are their feet
Who stand on Zion’s hill;
Who bring salvation on their tongues
And words of peace reveal!
The Lutheran Hymnal 487:1