Viewpoint, Dream’s dust-covered pulpit a reminder to preach Gospel
12-27-2008By VIRGIL C. BELL
Last night I had a dream, no ordinary dream, but ordinary in one way. I dreamed I was being appointed to a church. Nothing new here. I've been appointed over 60 years as a United Methodist minister. But this was different. In my dream I went to see the building. I saw one item — the pulpit. I can still see the dust and cobwebs that covered this piece of furniture. It was evident that no minister had stood here recently preaching the Gospel.
Was God trying to tell me something?
In my 62 years as a pastor, did I preach the Gospel — the Good News? In my dream I said, "My first sermon here I am going to preach Christ at the center: 1) for deliverance; 2) for growth; 3) for positive living." People need deliverance from the prison of sin, hate, unforgiveness, addiction, etc. People need to grow and they can be like Jesus. Christianity is not, "do not's." To follow Christ is to "do" — do believe, do love, do give, do witness for Christ.
That's it! A dream? Is God speaking only to me, or does he want this shared? By preaching the Gospel men and women are saved. If that is true we need to pay attention to our preaching.
The birth of Christ is the best news the world has heard. I pray that we would share Christ with the world with love in the power of the Spirit. We of all people are blessed. To be called to ministry to share the best news ever heard by us "earthlings."
[Virgil C. Bell is a retired United Methodist elder of the Arkansas Conference who resides at Methodist Village in Fort Smith.]
